Chapter 1

ELENA

"You will not disobey me, Elena. You will marry him."

Those were the words of my father, Don Alberto Ricci, and they echoed loudly in my mind like I had just been slapped in the face.

When he had called me that morning, I should have known that something was off. Don Alberto had done everything possible to ignore his only child in the last few years, that I had given up on thinking I actually had a father.

"I will do no such thing, Father." I hissed, gritting my teeth as anger pulsed through my veins. "It is funny how you think I will just sit here and let you sell me off to the highest bidder!"

"Well, that highest bidder is my only chance at being on the stronger side of this war, Elena, and you will marry him." He moved closer, his eyes blazing. There were few times my father had shown me this side of him, and this, compared to all those times, was the worst.

"No—" The word had just left my mouth when a slap landed on my face, cutting off the air in my lungs.

Pain coursed through my cheek. I wanted to cry out, but I couldn't. There was no way I would let my father see me weak.

"You will marry him, Elena, and that is final."

The door opened then, and I heard someone walk in, but I didn't turn, still shocked and rooted to the spot from my father's slap.

"Leave us, Alberto. I will take it from here."

That voice. Rich, deep, baritone, but colder than the Atlantic, was so familiar to me, that just as my father was leaving, I turned to see who owned it, and I gasped.

Luca De Santis.

He was tall. Taller than I had thought he would be. His eyes were a rich silver... blue or grey, I couldn't tell as the light played with them from where I stood.

Dark lashes framed those beautiful eyes of his, making them more dangerous. My eyes fell to his nose, which was slightly bigger than it should be but was straight and perfect for his face.

Heck, I didn't need to see more to acknowledge the fact that De Santis was easily the most handsome man I had ever set my eyes on.

And his lips...

"If you are done lusting after me, Elena, then we can talk." The irritating amusement in his tone knocked me out of my daydream and back to reality, causing irritation to flood every inch of my being.

No way was I attracted to, talk more of lusting over, the man who was set on turning my very peaceful life upside down.

"Funny, because last I checked, we have absolutely nothing to talk about." I threw at him. "In fact, I was just about to leave, so good day, De Santis." And then I was making my escape.

I should have known it would not be so easy.

A wall, a huge wall of suit, chest, and muscles blocked my escape before I could reach the door. It was a miracle I didn't ram into him. "I'll let you leave when I want you to leave, Elena."

The way he said my name, coupled with the scent of his cologne, messed with me.

"Luca..." I whispered, fighting through the fog to get myself back on track. "There are other women out there. Women who would throw themselves at you."

"Easy, I don't want them, Elena. Or, should I say, you are more convenient... I need a wife. And I'm sure your father has told you what this marriage means for him. For everyone." The last word was said in a whisper.

"Luca, I have someone...."

The rich laugh that left his lips. "Donavan?" he hissed, then moved closer so he was just less than an inch away from me.

How did he know Donavan?

Luca reached forward, lifting my chin with a finger so we locked gazes.

"That thing you have with that little boyfriend of yours was never going to go anywhere," he said in a low tone that sent shivers down my spine.

I didn't cower. "How would you know anything about love, De Santis? Word on the street is that you go through women like you go through clothes, so you of all people cannot tell me what my relationship will be like."

Luca traced his fingers along my jawline, then bent so his breath fanned my lips.

I shuddered, my knees growing into jelly, rendering me immobile.

I should move. I willed myself to, but my treacherous knees refused to obey.

"Go then. Go see your little boyfriend of yours right now, Elena." His tone was filled with something deep and dangerous. "But mind you, whatever the outcome is, you will marry me, whether you like it or not."

~

No one was picking up my calls.

Not Donavan, no one.

Tears streamed down my face as I drove, trying my best to concentrate on the road ahead.

My heart thudded against my chest as the past hour replayed itself in my mind.

My father had sold me to the devil himself.

I hated Luca De Santis.

Had always hated him and had spent years avoiding everything that had to do with that man. But all that effort had gone to waste as I had been delivered right into his arms by the last person I thought would do that to me.

Now I had to face Donavan and tell him what was happening.

Maybe if he agreed with me, we could run away. There was no way in hell I was getting married to that man.

The car pulled to a stop in the parking lot of Donavan's apartment, and I was out, rushing into the elevator that would take me to his floor.

My heart was thudding lightly. I could not just feel it, but I could hear it in the emptiness of the elevator.

I wiped at my face, then cleared my throat as the elevator stopped and walked out.

My hands wrapped around the doorknob of the door I had just unlocked with my own keys, and I pushed it open.

Only to be met by the emptiness of the house.

I searched every room, but it was evident he was not home.

With a sigh, I pulled out my phone and dialed his number again, hoping we could meet wherever he was.

No answer.

With a disappointed sigh, and in a bid to hurry out, I walked out of the door and shut it behind me. Just as I was about to leave, my eyes caught the door opposite his, and on impulse, I moved closer, seeing it slightly ajar.

I shouldn't have peeped. I should have left when I wanted to.

But I did.

I peeked inside, and the sight before me almost sent me to my knees in shock.

There was no mistaking that the shoes left next to a pair of boxer briefs were Donavan's. I had had them customized for him the previous week.

On impulse, I pushed the door open, stepping into the room, where I could now hear the noises coming from inside.

Not just any noise—groans and moans.

My mouth dropped open as I took in the sight before me. Clothes, three pairs of shoes, briefs, and a bra were scattered on the floor, leading to the bedroom.

I could feel it, even before I saw it.

I could have walked back because I already knew, but I wanted to see, and so I saw. Walking to the door of the bedroom, which was left ajar.

Right there, on the bed, lay my Donavan, groaning in pleasure, while he had his member in the mouth of a woman, while said woman was being pounded from behind by the same neighbor Donavan had sworn he hated.

As if he felt me, Donavan turned, and our eyes met. "Shit! Elena."

There, right there at the doorway of that bedroom, I heard my heart shatter into a million pieces.