1. You'll Be Mine

"Hello, Madeline," he greeted in a deep, smooth voice that held a captivating allure, capable of sending shivers down the spine of any woman.

However, I didn't belong to the type of women who fell for such refined charms. In the ruthless world of the mafia, the alluring demeanor of a handsome man had no place. With his hands casually resting in his pockets, he strolled with an air of nonchalant indifference. That infuriating grin adorned his face, showcasing a set of flawlessly white teeth. It was a boyish charm seemingly designed to dismantle my defenses.

Faced with this precarious situation, I had only one option: a move I had been trained for since stepping into this unforgiving world. Swiftly, I propelled myself away from the door, aiming my gun at his temple.

"Stop right there, you despicable bastard. It's over," I declared.

He chuckled genuinely, acknowledging my stance with a respectful nod. "I don't think so. In fact, it seems you find yourself in quite a predicament."

He let the words linger in the air, as if I should be deeply concerned. I retorted with a sardonic tone, "I have plenty of those. Which one are you referring to?"

"Your upcoming marriage," he remarked, a glint of knowing in his eyes, as if he possessed a secret I was oblivious to. He approached closer, exuding sophistication with every step. "I happen to be well-informed about your groom, Ernesto. To put it bluntly, he's a real jerk."

His words surprised me, and I fought back a smile. "So what? He's the man I love."

"Don't lie to me, Madeline. I don't appreciate being lied to. It will only earn you severe consequences," he warned.

What an insufferable jerk! Did all men think I would surrender so easily? "I'm not lying."

He simply narrowed his eyes.

Exhaling in exasperation, I shifted uncomfortably. "What have you done with my friend?"

With an air of casual confidence, he replied, "She's resting comfortably. I assure you, I have no intention of harming women."

"Why should I trust you?" I fired back.

In response, he emitted a low, guttural growl, emanating a sense of control. "You don't really have a choice. You and I are about to become intimately acquainted."

"You're insane," I retorted, my patience wearing thin. Who did this stranger think he was? "And why?"

"Let's just say that you're going to assist me in settling a score. Now, I have a proposition for you. It's something you should carefully consider, as there won't be any other alternatives," he explained.

"A proposition? Who the hell are you?" My heart raced so frantically that coherent thoughts became a challenge. What was this vendetta about? Could it be related to the man I was on the verge of marrying? "Is this all about money, then?"

"You certainly have a colorful vocabulary," he remarked, his tone tinged with annoyance. "But let's focus on the matter at hand." Unfazed by the gun I held, he moved closer.

"What do you want?" I inquired.

"As I mentioned, I want to strike a deal with you. It involves money to some extent, and power, but it's also about honor and integrity—qualities not universally possessed," he elaborated.

His persistent, boyish grin grew increasingly irritating. I couldn't comprehend his intentions. My father was ruthless, and from what little I knew about the Satoris, they were power-hungry as well. I felt genuinely intrigued, wondering where he was leading with this.

"What kind of arrangement are you proposing?" I asked, my curiosity overriding my trepidation.

He continued, "Well, if you cooperate with me and refrain from causing any complications, I can offer you a fresh start. And that's just the beginning." Walking closer to my vanity, he helped himself to a glass of champagne. Raising the crystal stem, he swirled the contents and leisurely took a sip. "This is absolutely exquisite. Only the finest for someone of your standing."

"I'm hardly a person of privilege. Who are you?" I demanded, bewildered by the audacity of this stranger.

"Who I am, quite frankly, doesn't matter. And you, my dear, are exactly as described: arrogant and opinionated. I am the only man with the power to alter the course of your life," he stated with a sigh, his words causing my frayed nerves to further escalate. Something about this man felt oddly familiar—his face, his voice triggered distant memories, yet I couldn't place them.

"You're deluded if you think I would ever entertain a deal with someone like you," I mustered.

"Somebody like me," he retorted, his tone turning menacing ashe moved closer. "I am many things, Madeline, including a bastard. But I am much more than that. Let me reiterate once more before the offer disappears: what comes after won't be...comfortable."

My legs started to tremble, and I realized this man wasn't playing games. What choices did I truly have? "Fine. I'm listening."

His golden-boy smile reappeared. "That's the spirit. It's a rather straightforward arrangement. You will accompany me and vanish, at least in Ernesto's eyes."

Taken aback, I was tempted to burst into laughter. "You must be out of your mind. I'm not going anywhere with you. Besides, my father will stop at nothing to hunt you down for even attempting it."

"Oh, I have my ways of dealing with your father. I've done my research. Don't worry," he replied confidently.

Now he had managed to anger me. "Why in the world would I go with you? I don't even know who you are!"

He smiled smugly and replied, "You might be pleasantly surprised. I can assure you that what I have in mind is far more enticing than the man you're currently engaged to."

His proposition sounded absurd. "I can break off the engagement on my own terms if I want to," I blurted out, as if my words held any real weight.

"Hmm... I'm well aware of your trust fund and the obligations that bind you. You're required to remain married to him for a whole decade. Ten long years. I know about his tendencies. He can be quite... sadistic. But perhaps that's what you need. You have thirty seconds to think about it."

No matter how much he knew about Ernesto, I had to trust my instincts, which were warning me that this man was equally dangerous. It was time to gather information, even if it meant playing along.

"And what do I gain from going along with you? I know you're not here to rescue me from a disastrous marriage. That much is clear," I said, cautiously lowering my guard, though I still couldn't trust this individual.

"How astute, Madeline. You and I will join forces to bring down the Satori family," he declared, his words hanging in the air. "But there's a condition."

This man was dead serious. Who did he think he was?

"Of course there is," I muttered, anger simmering within me. "What is it?"

"I'll save you from an awful marriage and assist you in destroying the man you so clearly despise, but in return, you will be mine in every way."