Home / Mafia / A Bride For A Truce / The Engagement

Share

A Bride For A Truce
A Bride For A Truce
Author: Veetoria

The Engagement

Author: Veetoria
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-24 21:39:17

SERAFINA’S POV

The black Mercedes pulled up smoothly to the front gates of the Vitale estate.

I stepped out and walked towards the front door.

My performance tonight was exceptional as usual,I loved the thrill that went through the crowd whenever I finished a piece.

But as I approached the house, a rising sense of danger slowly encircled me. I shook it off and walked in.

I stepped into the foyer, and glanced around. The extravagance of our family home always left me in awe.

I heard footsteps approach me from behind. “Signoria” came a soft voice.

I turned to see Tessa, our family maid approaching with a soft smile on her face. Tessa has been with the family for as long as I can remember. Ever since we lost mum, she had been a constant.

“How are you, Tessa?” I smiled in return.

“I am fine Cara (dear). You’re home late tonight”, she observed taking my coat and scarf that I was about to put up.

She kissed my cheeks “You were amazing tonight as always” she gushed, her eyes shining with pride.

“Thank you!” I grinned back, basking in the warmth of her compliment.

“Your father is waiting for you in his study, he asked that you come up as soon as you get home” she stated.

My smile faded knowing that this couldn’t be good. My father only summoned me to his study when he had something very important to say.

“Did he say what it was about?”

Tessa shook her head in the negative “No Cara, but we know him well enough to know that this can’t be good.” she said in a sympathetic tone.

I did know exactly what she meant, my father’s study wasn’t for laughs or tea dates. I sighed and ran my hands down my dress.

“Thank you Tessa.” my lips curved into a forced smile. “I'll go see what he needs” I responded before turning towards the hallway.

The walk to his study seemed endless tonight.Maybe it was because i was dreading the upcoming confrontation.

I knocked briskly on the heavy oak door and waited for a response.

“Come in!” My father’s authoritative voice boomed from within. With a firm push, the door creaked open, revealing the dimly lit study.

There was a lingering smell of Cigar in the air, shelves lined with books,most of them first editions framed the imposing desk where my father sat.

His head was bent over some documents on his table, and he took his time to sort through them before glancing up at me.

My eyes connected with his trying to read his expression but he looked away guiltily .

“Sit Sera.”

I rolled my eyes at the nickname he always used as I took a sit.

“A truce has been agreed upon with the Bratva”...My father's voice was calm but his gaze was unyielding..” You are to be married to Adriko Ivanov” he said whilst leaning back in his chair and observing my expression.

I tensed instantly, his words hitting me like a slap.The type that stings long after it lands.

For a moment, I couldn't breathe.

Marriage?

To the Bratva kingpin?

The idea sounded like a cruel joke that for a moment I almost laughed but the look in my father's eyes told me otherwise.

I narrowed my eyes at him, my heartbeat accelerating in panic. “You can’t be serious papa! I can’t marry Adriko, that is not what I want”

“Enough!”, he roared sharply, his fist slamming down onto the desk, silencing me instantly.

He leaned forward, his dark eyes pinning me in place.” This isn’t up for discussion, Serafina,” he stated, his voice cold and final.“Don Marco has spoken, and so have I. You’re to marry Adriko Ivanov. It’s the only way to end this War!!”

I got up so quickly that the chair fell over, hitting the floor with a loud thud.

I clenched my fists at my sides as I stared daggers at my father, my breathing harsh and fast.

“You’re offering me up like a lamb to slaughter, all because of your mistakes?” I shot back, my voice trembling with fury and restrained tears.

Everyone knew how it was my father’s error that sparked the war in the first place.

He fixed me with a piercing gaze “I know this is hard for you to accept figlia mia (my daughter ) but my hands are tied” he said in a rueful tone.

“This is my burden to end, and this truce would be the only way to put a halt to all the bloodshed. The camorra will not bow to the bratva and they won’t bow to us.”

I looked down in an attempt to stop the tears that were threatening to spill down my face.

I always thought I would be able to pursue my dream at The Metropolitan Opera, travel the world, and let love find me in due time but this was such a brutal slap to my face.

I felt the weight of my father’s words squeezing my heart. I decided to try again to make him see reason.

“But what about my life? My dreams?” I asked, my voice breaking. “You know how much performing means to me, Papa. Why let me build this life only to rip it away? Just because your mistakes have come back to haunt you?”

He stood and walked walked around his desk, towards me.” Mi dispiace,tesoro mio” (I’m sorry my darling) he pleaded with a hint of sadness in his voice.

I sighed realizing there was no way out of this. Even if I tried to bypass my father, I couldn’t bypass the Don.

“When is the wedding?” I asked in a resigned tone,deciding to accept my fate.

“A week from today, everything is being arranged. You don’t have to bother about anything.”

Like I would even bother, I scoffed inwardly as I watched him move back to his table and bring out a box.

He opened it and a marquise-shaped diamond ring glinted under the study’s harsh light.

”This arrived from Adriko.” he informed.”You’ll wear it starting tonight.”

My breath hitched; It was beautiful, but a cruel mockery of the life I had dreamed for myself.

I snatched the box from him, ripples of barely controlled rage crawling across my skin. With nothing else to say to him, I turned and fled the room, the sound of my footsteps echoing down the hallway like the pounding of my heart.

Once inside my room, I slammed and locked the door, collapsing against it as tears finally spilled down my cheeks.

My gaze caught my open window and I crossed the room in quick steps. The cool night air caressed my face as I leaned out, staring down at the lush garden and lake that once used to be an escape for me.

With a surge of defiance, I hurled the box far into the darkness. The diamond caught the moonlight before disappearing with a distant satisfying plop—

As I made to turn away from the window, I had a distinct feeling that I was being watched.

My pulse accelerated in fear. From the side of my eye, I saw a figure shuffle through the garden. I couldn't see who it was but I knew it wasn’t Tessa, and it wasn't one of my father's guards—

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • A Bride For A Truce   Told me sooner

    Sera (A week later)The sky was still a deep gray when I slipped out of bed, my heart pounding like a warning bell in my chest.Adrik’s arm was draped over my waist, his breathing even and steady beside me. Safe. Solid. Warm. And yet the guilt that gnawed at my insides didn’t care about warmth or comfort. It chewed through everything, relentless and cold. It had been a little over a week since I spoke to Diana and with each passing day, I felt like I was digging myself into a hole I might not be able to crawl out from.I tiptoed out of bed and padded toward the kitchen, wrapping my robe tighter around myself. The penthouse was silent—except for the soft hum of the espresso machine as I prepared his coffee, the way he liked it. Strong, no sugar, splash of cream.My fingers trembled as I carried the mug back upstairs. He was still lying on his side, bare chest half-buried beneath the comforter, his dark hair tousled from sleep.He looked peaceful.I hated that I was about to ruin t

  • A Bride For A Truce   Actions have consequences

    ADRIKThe scent of toasted brioche and cinnamon wafted through the air as I stepped into the kitchen, fastening the last button on my cuffs.She stood by the stove in nothing but one of my shirts, sleeves rolled up, bare legs brushing the cool tiles. The morning light spilled across her highlighting her Auburn hair.I leaned against the doorway, my arms crossed. “You’re really trying to keep me home, aren’t you?”She glanced back with a smirk. “You think this is enough to keep you from the Bratva world?”I walked up behind her, wrapped my arms around her waist, and nuzzled the side of her neck.“No,” I said against her skin. “But it makes me wish I could leave it behind.”She stilled for a second. Then she flipped the egg in the pan and exhaled. “Then come back in one piece. That’s all I ask.”I kissed her shoulder, letting my lips linger on her waist. “Always.”And in that moment I felt peace. The kind only she could give me. The kind that felt like home.

  • A Bride For A Truce   Sweetest Feeling 🔞

    Viktor Morocco was such a beautiful country, the locals were warm and friendly, the food was a bit too spicy for me, and the women? They had the best bodies and warmest pussies I had ever fucked. I had been laying low in Morocco for about three months and honestly I didn't feel the need to go back to New York yet. My burner phone buzzed on the stool beside the pool. I answered on the first ring. “Talk.” Matteo’s voice floated into my ears. Low and cautious. “Diana called me.” That made me sit forward. “And?” “She asked me to dig into Vincenzo’s inner circle. She showed me old letters that her friend Sera found. Apparently, Emilia and Yelena were friends. Emilia mentioned someone in one of the letters, a man she couldn't trust.” I paused. My fingers tightening around the neck of the woman that was currently riding my cock. “Does she suspect anything?” Matteo exhaled. “No, she trusts me. She thinks I’m trying to help her.” “Good,” I murmured. “Keep her close. Feed her b

  • A Bride For A Truce   We‘re Sisters, Sera

    Sera The café was tucked away in Little Italy, off a quiet side street, all dark wood and soft lights and cinnamon in the air. 
 I sat near the back, a scarf wrapped tightly around my shoulders, even though it wasn’t that cold. My nerves were doing enough of a job freezing me from the inside out. I hadn’t slept much. The letters were all I could think about. Diana arrived ten minutes later, hair piled into a messy bun, sunglasses perched on her head, and a curious frown on her lips. “Okay, you’re officially freaking me out,” she said as she slid into the seat across from me. “What’s going on?” I looked down into my untouched espresso, then back up at her. “I went to see my father.” Her brows lifted. “Seriously?” I nodded. “He called while I was still in Russia and I promised I'd visit once I returned.” Diana leaned in. “And?” “The dinner was awkward. He tried to play nice. Apologized, even.” I shrugged. “I didn’t buy it. But that’s not the problem.” “The

  • A Bride For A Truce   The time and place

    Adrik I got to Ivanov Holdings bright and early. Sergei had sent a text at dawn, saying he had information on Yegor Petrov. Some shipments were also due today, and I needed to be on the ground when they docked. Sergei stepped into my office a little after 10am, tossing a file on my desk. “You were right to be suspicious,” he said. “There’s more to Yegor Petrov than we thought.” I flipped open the folder—and froze. Matteo Greco. I looked up slowly. “What the hell is this?” Sergei folded his arms. “Petrov was an alias. A damn good one. His real name was Matteo Greco. Ex-Camorra enforcer, went off the radar years ago after a job went sideways in Naples.” My jaw clenched. “So he faked his identity?” Sergei nodded. “And someone helped him do it. The name ‘Petrov’ only started appearing in official records two months before your mother was killed. Before that? Nothing. No immigration records, no work history. Just… air.” “And you’re telling me no one noticed thi

  • A Bride For A Truce   Secrets tied in ribbons

    SeraAfter practice with Adrik, I decided to go visit my father.He had texted me the previous evening and asked that I please stop by for dinner.The family estate still looked the same as the last time I'd been here and I haven’t been here in almost six months. Not since my wedding.On arriving at the estate, I stepped out of Adrik’s Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and made my way up the staircase.The guards stationed around the estate caught sight of me and smiles of recognition graced their faces. Carlo, the longtime family butler, opened the door with a warm smile and led me inside. “Hello signoria. So good to see you strong on your feet.” My lips curved into a warm smile as I patted his arm “Thank you, Carlo.”“Is he in his study?” I asked.“No, Signor Vitale said to join him in the garden.”I blinked. “The garden?”He nodded. “Yes, Signora. He’s waiting with dinner.”Color me surprised.As I made my way to the garden, I heard someone call out my name. “Sera? Cara mia I’m so happ

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status