Chapter 1

Sienna:

“This marriage depends on a lot, Sienna.” My father said, walking me down the aisle. And though most of the guests were watching us, my father didn’t care as he spoke. He simply kept his smile on his face as he spoke.

“Is that why you are sending me a bride, and rather than telling me that I look beautiful, you are mostly scolding me.” I said, keeping my eyes on the man that is to be my husband. Diablo Duraturo. The man who I am entitled to marry simply for an alliance.

“You are well aware of your beauty, but what you fail to understand that we are not sending you as a bride. You are going to be protecting your family with your marriage. And nevertheless, you are still entering the enemy’s den. You will be my eyes and ears, and when the time comes, you are to leave.” He said, smiling at the guests that were around.

My face was covered with a white veil. I have to admit, I didn’t want to wear it at first, I was glad that I did.

Diablo looked at me before taking my hand in his as my father and I reached him. His eyes were as cold as ice, I didn’t expect them to be any less anyway. A man who was reminding me that our marriage was nothing more than a duty while engaged was not to be a husband on a wedding day.

“She is my angel, my daughter, and pride, Diablo. I trust that you are going to keep her safe.” Dad said, and Diablo pulled me to him. He removed the veil from over my face, and playing the act, reminding myself that we were in public. I smiled.

He took my hands in his and kissed my knuckles, playing his own part well enough to attract the attention of others. I had to fight back the scoff that I almost let out, knowing that it would be caught easily. His eyes were fixed on mine for a moment before the ceremony started.

My heart raced, but the world around me seemed to go quiet despite the voices, the talking, and the cameras that either flashed or took videos. Normally, a Capo dei Capi’s wedding was to never be public. But when he is one of the richest business men within the city, this reaction was almost always expected.

“Do you, Diablo Duraturo, take Sienna Ivanov to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love, comfort, honor, and keep, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Diablo said, keeping his eyes on mine.

“Do you, Sienna Ivanov, take Diablo Duraturo to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love, comfort, honor, and keep, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” I said, looking at him.

“I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss your bride.” Diablo connected his lips with mine in a quick peck. Cheers could be heard all the way to Duomo, but I doubted that they cared. Coming to Milan to this wedding wasn’t my idea. Then again, this whole wedding wasn’t my idea to begin with.

Two children walked toward us with pillows in their hands. And I smiled as they extended the rings. At least, there was one innocent and sweet thing in this whole day.

Diablo was the first to take my hand as he slid the ring around my finger. Keeping his eyes on mine as he did. I returned the favor and put his own on too.

He took my hand in his, intertwining our fingers, and taking a glance at him. I knew that this was it. The two of us were now bound by marriage. An agreement that was now my funeral…