Prologue

PROLOGUE…

KIRA’S POV

The morning sun spilled its light through the stained-glass windows of the wedding hall,

The air was thick with the scent of roses and lilies, and the soft hum of a string quartet filled the space with a romantic melody.

I stood at the back of the hall, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't tell if it was due to my nervousness or the overwhelming excitement of finally being able to get married to Dylan. My hands trembled slightly as the large double doors slowly opened. Today, I would marry Dylan, the man I had loved even before I knew what love was.

My father stood in front of me, his hands akimbo, waiting for me to take his arm. I couldn't help the shiver that ran through my body as our skin made contact.

“Stop shaking like a fool and smile,” he instructed, his tone sounding more like a warning than encouragement.

The veil over my eyes blurred my sight, but the sound of the orchestra playing was enough to make me giddy and momentarily forget my father’s intimidating presence.

As we reached the altar, my father released my hand. I stepped forward and bowed my head slightly.

“We are gathered here today for the union of this couple,” the priest began. “If anyone has a reason to object to this marriage, let them speak now.”

There was total silence after that, and I concluded no one objected to our union, not that anyone could.

My father was the Don of the American mafia while Dylan's father was the Don of the Italian Mafia, our wedding was not an ordinary union, it was a blood pact, meant to pay back a debt that my family owed to Dylan's family more than a hundred years ago an—

“Do you Adrian Vasillos take Kira Neel as your lawfully wedded wife?” The priest's voice broke me out of my thoughts.

“I do,” he responded. His voice sounded different but before I could think anything of it, the priest spoke again.

“Do you Kira Neel take Adrian Vasillos as your lawfully wedded husband?”

Wait….

I slowly replayed the priest’s words in my mind.

He had said Adrian Vasillos.

Adrain Vasillos, not Dylan Vasilios?

Adrian Vasillos? As in Adrian… Dylan's elder brother?

My heart raced as I yanked the veil from my face, my eyes wide. "Adrian?!" I whispered as I looked up in confusion to see the person standing before me, it wasn’t my fiancé Dylan, but his elder brother Adrian, dressed in an orange prison uniform instead of a wedding suit.

“W… What’s going on here?” I stammered, looking at Adrian, his eyes already fixated on me. “Why are you standing here? Where is Dylan?”

The priest shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat. "Is there a problem, my child?" he asked and I shot him a narrowed look before returning my gaze to Adrian.

“Tell me where Dylan is?!” I said, my voice louder than before.

“He is right behind you.” Adrain scoffed. I turned around to see Dylan standing next to an unfamiliar man. He wore the best man suit that was totally different from what I had specially picked for him for our wedding.

“Dylan!” I rushed over, grabbing his face in my hands. “W… What’s going on? Why are you here? Why aren’t you standing with me at the altar?”

He removed my hand from his face.“Please don't make this difficult, Kira. Just go say ‘I do,’” he muttered, his gaze avoiding mine.

“I don’t understand what’s going on. What do you mean I should just go and say I do? He’s your elder brother. I’m supposed to marry you. We’ve been engaged since we were twelve. Why are you pushing me to him?” My voice cracked as I felt warm tears stream down my cheeks.

“I can’t marry you, Kira,” he said, his voice laced with anger and something else I couldn’t place.

“Why? You love me, don’t you? It’s me and you remember,” I pleaded, my heart shattering with each word.

“Please go back to him, Kira,” he said, turning his back to me.

“Dylan, look at me. Are they forcing you to do this? Are you being threatened? Please tell me. Don’t do this to me. You’re the only one I’ve got. Don’t let them win, please. I love you, Dylan,” I whispered the last part, desperation choking my voice. “Come on, let’s go.” I grabbed his arm, trying to pull him with me, but he yanked his hand away, and I stumbled back.

Suddenly, a strong hand gripped my shoulder, and I looked up to see my father, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at me. “Enough, Kira,” he growled. “Stop your tantrums this minute!” I felt my body shake at his voice.

“W… What's going on, father?” I cried

“You'll not be getting married to Dylan. Wipe your eyes and go stand at that altar.”

“What about the deal you made with the Vasilios?” I asked. “What about the blood pact an

“Don't ask me any question, just do what I say.” He growled, cutting me short.

“Why do you hate me this much? You would even stoop this low to see me break? Why are you so heartless?!” I screamed.

His eyes widened at my sudden outburst. He raised his hands, ready to hit me. I stiffened my body, getting ready for the impact. I waited for any sign of pain or sting but it never came.

I opened my eyes to see a huge figure in front of me, his hand grasping my father's hand.

“Don't you dare lay your hands on her?” I heard Adrian say. I looked up at him to see him staring daggers at my dad. The sight of him in his prison jumpsuit did nothing to wipe away my anger. They didn't even bother to get him a suit.

My father yanked his hand away, turning to face me. For the first time, I saw a hint of fear in his eyes.

Suddenly, I saw my stepmother and step-sister coming towards us. My stepmother began to say something but all I could hear was my sister calling Dylan. She held his hands and smiled genuinely at him before facing me. I saw the way she rubbed her thumb on his hands and the way he looked at her, not once halting her actions.

“Dylan” I called him once again, hoping the scene before me wasn't real.

“I'm sorry, Kira, but I can't marry you.”

“Wh… Why?” I looked at him, expecting him to say he was being blackmailed, or this was a figment of my imagination and I needed to pinch myself to step out of the horrible dream.

But hearing my sister say, “We're in love and I'm carrying his child.” was the last thing I expected.

My leg almost gave out but I held my ground not willing to believe her but when I looked at Dylan, I knew every word she had spilled from her mouth was nothing but the truth.

I looked around, hoping for someone to say this wasn't right or that this was injustice but I was all alone. Not even the look of sympathy from my aunt was able to comfort me this time.

I felt the adrenaline rush in my veins as I picked up my dress and ran. I heard Sophia, my stepmother, call my name but I continued to let my leg fly across the tiled floor of the church wanting to be far away from them.

I grabbed the door handles, ready to bolt out of the church. I opened the door but stepped back when I saw two large men blocking my path, their guns pointed at me.

“If you try to leave, I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger,” one of them warned, his voice cold and steady.

“I’ll take my chances. Death seems more promising,” I shot back, my voice trembling.

“Kira,” a familiar voice called my name softly. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to see my Aunt, tears streaming down her face, and a gun pressed against her head.

“You move an inch, and a bullet goes through her skull,” my father hissed, his voice booming across the church.