Chapter 003

ANASTASIA

Stefano's eyes clouded with rage and I took two steps back in fear, I expected him to slap me, mafia men are always prone to violence.

Instead, he only swiped his lips with his thumb, sucking on the blood with a smirk on his face.

" We should take pictures"

Stefano said

I shook my head

" I don't want to "

" Be a good girl, Bellisma, we should let everyone believe we're madly in love, shouldn't we?"

I glared at him as he dragged me to take our wedding photos, as he placed his hand on the small of my back, I was painfully aware of how close he was, his pine and leather scent wafted across my nostrils as we took each pose, whenever his hand touched me, it made me burn with heat.

I was frustrated at how my own body was betraying me, last night was a mistake.

" Miss. I mean Mrs De Luca, could you please smile"

The cameraman begged.

I deepened my scowl, the monster glowered at me from his seat but I didn't waver, I was forced into this marriage so why should I smile like a fool?

" My wife doesn't like smiling, scowling is her way of expressing her happiness"

I wanted nothing more than to wipe that shit-eating smirk away from Stefano's face, instead, I continued scowling as we took the rest of the photos.

" Um.. perfect, I'll send them to you once they are ready"

The cameraman said before hurrying off.

At the reception, the air was thick with tension, glasses clinked against each other, and everyone pretended to be happy and smiling but I know they were nothing but pretenses, just like this wedding, the Italians and Russians would never unite, these men wouldn't hesitate to slit each other's throat.

" Congratulations on your wedding Don"

A man pointed his glass at Stefano, his gaze strayed to me and a wicked smile graced his lips.

" From what I heard, the bride was switched at the last minute, we're all waiting to confirm if she's a virgin or not, the room is prepared already"

I cringed as all the guests directed their attention to me, it was a common practice during Mafian weddings for the bride to prove her virtue to all the wedding guests, the bride and groom would have sex in a room and come out with the bloody sheets to show to the guests.

It was a degrading practice and I've always hated everything about it.

A wicked smile crossed my face.

" Sorry to disappoint you all but I'm not...

" My wife and I have nothing to prove to anyone!"

Stefano's sharp voice cut through whatever I was about to say and I looked at him in shock.

Some of the guests couldn't contain their outrage.

" But this has always been a wedding tradition! "

Stefano's nostrils flared.

" A tradition that should have been banned a long time ago, now if you'll excuse us, my wife and I have a plane to catch"

Stefano's hand rested on my back as he pulled me towards the car, if I didn't hate him so much, I would have thanked him for saying that but I refused to let him think I cared.

" You should have let me tell them I'm a sex addict and I've fucked more men than they can count on one hand"

I said icily.

" Really...."

Stefano drawled, caressing my hair.

My breath stilled, he didn't know I was a virgin- last night I was sure I didn't.

" I know a virgin's pussy when I enter one"

He smirked

" And oh! There was blood on the sheets too, lots of it"

" Bastard!"

I hissed under my breath as my cheeks flushed with anger.

" Last night was a mistake and it's never happening again!"

Stefano chuckled, a rich mellow sound that somehow made my ears tingle.

" You'll play the role of a dutiful wife Bellisma which means that pussy belongs to me and it'll be ready for me, whenever and however I want it"

I wanted nothing more than to shove my hands into his face, the fucking nerve of him.

" In your fucking dreams"

" Even in those"

I was about to step into one of the two black DMWs when someone grabbed me by my arm, irritation crawled all over my face when I turned around.

" Anastasia, I'd like to have a few words with you before you leave"

The monster said lightly.

I pried off my arm, from the look on his face, he appeared like the perfect caring father but I knew the amount of horror his heart was capable of hiding.

" De Luca, please permit us, I don't know how long it'll take until she visits and I'd like to say a proper goodbye "

It was the first time the monster would seek anyone's permission before talking to me and I couldn't help but notice how Stefano's domineering aura overshadowed his.

" Sure!"

Stefano waved us off.

I wanted to object but I didn't want Stefano to think something was wrong so I followed the monster.

As soon as we got to an enclosed space, the caring expression disappeared from his face.

" What do you want!"

I hissed impatiently.

" Don't you dare talk to me with that tone!"

He gritted, slamming his hands against my throat.

Tears stung my eyes as he tightened his hold on my neck, squeezing the very life out of me.

" Even though you're now married to a Don, you're still under my fucking control! Do you understand me "

I nod slowly and he releases his hold on my throat.

" Take it"

He shoved a small inconspicuous device into my hand.

" It's a camera tracker, I want you to plant it in Stefano's meeting room, I also want you to report all his activities to me"

My blood ran cold and I suddenly realized why the monster proposed this marriage, he didn't want an alliance with the Italians, he wanted to destroy them!

" Being your pawn wasn't part of our deal, I refuse to be a part of this!"

He raised his hand to my face but dropped it at the last minute, his hands shook with rage as he whipped out his phone, typing furiously until Alexei's face appeared on the screen.

Alexei was sleeping peacefully in his bed, apart from his nanny, there was someone else in the room, a man dressed entirely in black with a gun strapped in the waistband of his pants.

" Look at him very closely Anastasia, if you don't comply with me, I'd tell my man to shoot a bullet into his skull, is that what you want?"

I shook my head rapidly, fear seeping into my bones.

" Good! Because that's what will happen if you don't fucking do as I say, I'm giving you a week to figure out a way to plant the tracker!!"

The device dug into my palm as I watched the monster leave, I suck

ed in a harsh breath, knowing fully well that Alexei's life was hanging by a thread and everything depended on my actions.