Liya Glensdale would never have thought that her once peaceful life would one day end in a marriage with the feared and dangerous Aldo Marino. Caught in a deal to save her careless brother, Liya is forced into a crime world filled with power struggles, betrayal and shocking secrets. Aldo, a powerful businessman and crime boss known for his ruthlessness sees Liya as merely a tool in a game against his rival, Damian Viktor. But as time evolves, their once-cold relationship grows into more than an alliance that neither of them could see coming. As tension continues to grow and dangers mount, Liya must learn to sail the difficult and dangerous game while acknowledging the growing feelings between her and Aldo. Together, they’ll face their enemies hiding in the dark but their greatest troubles may be the feelings they refuse to acknowledge.
Lihat lebih banyakLiya Glensdale stared blankly at her untouched coffee while the rain washed against the windows of the little diner she sat in. She constantly picked at her nails with nerves unsettled as the minutes flew by on the wall clock, drawing the inevitable meeting with the man who could decide her brother's fate, closer.
When the bell above the diner rang, Liya’s eyes popped up as she watched a man enter and shake the rain off his trench coat, his presence immediately changing the atmosphere of the entire room. Her heart began racing as she watched Damian Viktor approach her table. He was by far taller than she had thought, with a scrawny face and a smile that made him look more sinister and cruel than kind. Even with his sharp suit that emphasized he was well-off, his appearance screamed that he was a dangerous man, the kind you don't get involved with. He sat down across from her, skin spread like he owned the place. “Liya Glensdale,” he said with a flat yet rough voice. “I’ve been anticipating this meeting. Liya gulped, her pulse racing. “Let’s cut to the chase. This is about my brother” “Oh, Liam”. Damian cut in. “ What a rash and audacious boy. He has quite a gift for making enemies but is lucky enough to have a dear sister to beg on his behalf.” “I’m here to strike a deal, not beg. Name your price and I’ll pay you back.” Liya shot back with a shaky voice despite her bravery. Damian let out a hollow laugh that made her shiver in her seat. “ Oh darling, trust me, you would not be able to afford what Liam owes me. Except…” He narrowed his eyes as he calculated her. “Except what?” Liya asked “ Ever heard of the saying one good turn deserves another? Well, someone owes me a favor and you’ll be the perfect settlement to make us even.” Marcus spoke as though he was talking about the weather or the latest fashion. Liya’s stomach knotted “ And what do you mean by that.” Leaning forward, Damian gives her a wild wide smile. “I want you to marry Aldo Marino.” She sucked in a choked breath at the name. A name that ruled the city. Everyone knew Aldo Marino— a billionaire who allegedly had ties to dangerous people. He was feared as he was respected and no one dared to rupture the fort he had created around his private life. “That must be a joke. Are you insane?” Liya said disturbed. “ Not at all,” Damian said, joining his fingers. “Aldo and I have…a complex history. He owes me a good deed, and you are going to make sure he pays it. In return, I’ll wipe your brother’s debt clean.” Her mind raced. The idea was ridiculous and impossible. She didn't know Aldo, but he was the kind of guy your mother warned you to stay away from. However, the vision of Liam—beat, bloody, and petrified flashed in her mind. If she didn't act fast, Damian would make good on his threats. “What if Aldo rejects the idea.” She voiced quietly. “He won't,” Damian said with confidence. “Aldo doesn't have the luxury of refusing. You are going to be his salvation. Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement.” Liya stared at him in disbelief “Why me?” Damian’s smile became wicked. “ simple. You're the best option. Beautiful, clever, and desperate enough to do anything. Aldo will see your worth just as I do.” Liya wanted to yell and tell him he was out of his mind. But the burden of her brother’s life weighed heavily on her, drowning any argument. “What if I refuse?” she asked, already terrified by his answer. Damian’s gaze clouded. “Then Liam’s debt becomes yours. And trust me, my tolerance for repayment is shorter than you think.” Her chest tightened at his words. She thought of her brother, her careless, lovable brother who always found himself in some kind of trouble. She had spent her life tidying up his messes but this…this took the crown. “I’ll do it,” she whispered, the words tasting like ash in her mouth. Damian clapped his hands, his grin stretching. “Excellent. I knew you were wise.” He slid her a business card. “Be at the address tomorrow evening. Aldo will be expecting you.” “And you promise Liam’s debts will be wiped clean?” Liya asked him instead. “Spotless,” Damian said standing. “As long as you don't play me, your brother is a free man. I'm a man of my word, Liya.” With that, he turned and left the diner. Leaving Liya alone with her thoughts and the gravity of what she had just agreed to. ———————————————————————— Liya couldn't sleep that night. Anytime she closed her eyes, images of Aldo Marino danced in her mind. Though she had never met him, his influence was terrifying and she dreaded getting involved with him. The next evening, dressed in the only formal wear she owned, stood before the gigantic gates of Aldo’s estate. The entire mansion looked like an inaccessible castle with stone walls and sky-high windows screaming both wealth and isolation. The gates automatically opened and a sleek black car approached her. The driver stepped out, nodded, and opened the door for her. “Miss Glensdale, Mr Marino is waiting,” he said. She hesitated, her mind yelling at her to walk away from the madness. But she had to stick to her words. Straightening her posture, she climbed into the car. The ride to the mansion was long, and the driveway felt like an eternity. When the car finally stopped at the entrance of the mansion, new waves of fear washed over her. With her stomach in knots, she stepped out, her heels clicking on the pavement as the door swung open. A lady stood at the door, her stern face softened only by the slightest hint of curiosity. “Miss Glensdale,” she asked. “Yes,” Liya said in a shaky voice. “I’m Melinda Gusto, Mr Marino’s assistant.” The woman said stepping aside to let her in. “He’s waiting for you in his study.” Liya followed Melinda through the winding halls, her footsteps echoing against the marble floors. The house was cold and unwelcoming, just like she had guessed. It was filled with furniture, paintings, and dim lighting which gave it an eerie look. When they reached the study, Melinda knocked once before pushing the door open. “Mr Marino,” she announced “ Your visitor is here.” Liya stepped inside, her breath hitching as her eyes landed on him. Aldo Marino stood by the fireplace, his talk frame broad back to her. He turned slowly, his electric blue eyes fixating on hers. He was extremely handsome, but there was an edge to him, a quiet fierceness that made her blood turn ice. “Liya Glensdale,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “I’ve been expecting you.” She opened her mouth to respond but no words came out. Aldo’s stare was hard to read, his appearance a mask of calm and authority. “I believe Damian went through the arrangement with you,” he said, stepping closer. “Is there anything you'd like to ask?” She swallowed, her throat dry. “Why would someone like you agree to something like this?” Aldo gave a faint, humorless smile. “Let's say I have my reasons. Just like you.” His reply only added to her restlessness. Before she could question him further, he extended his hand. “Shall we,” he asked. Liya hesitated, she felt like she was about to dive into the unknown. As her hand touched his extended hand, the lights suddenly blinked, and then there was a smashing sound followed by the sound of glass shattering. “What’s happening?” Liya demanded in a panicked voice “Don't leave this room,” Aldo ordered as he moved towards the door. She looked through the window, the shadows running and shifting. And that's when she saw it, a figure stood in the darkness, watching her beyond the glass. She could see the outline of a weapon aimed at her. Suddenly, the window shattered, and Liya let out a loud scream.Aldo didn’t see anyone at home as he walked in. To him, it was normal. He already told Liya that she didn’t need to ask for his permission before she went out anymore. And the only thing he could do was guess that every single thing was fine. He checked their trackers, but it showed that they were there in the house. The library to be specific. He was already exhausted from everything. He thought everything was going to come to an end after the cargo had gone missing the first time. But even now that they had found it, things were still stressful. But he liked the stress. It only meant that things were progressing for him. He hurried to his cupboard. He knew that he had to go through most of the information that he and Melinda had been working on the last time they both sat down to have a proper meeting. He checked the cabinet and was shocked not to find the document that he was looking for. He frowned immediately, searching the rest of the room. But there was still nothing. “How
Liya was already worried about so much. There were ways to stop Damian from coming into the house. But at the same time, she couldn't stop wondering about who had hurt Aria and Aldo. She couldn’t deny the fact that she wanted to feed her curiosity. Aldo had left the house quite early the next morning. She didn’t have a problem with that. It all seemed to work for her. She could barely hold back her guilt as he kissed her forehead when he headed out of the house that morning. But she had already put her mind to it. She was sure that there was no changing her mind. As she headed upstairs, something told her to turn back. Something was telling her that she might just get hurt because of what she was going to find. But she was assuring herself with the fact that she hadn’t attached too much to whatever she and Aldo had in the first place. There was nothing that she was going to find out that was going to hurt her. He wanted her to trust him. Right? This was one of them. And even if she
As Aldo walked into the house, he was shocked to see Liya sitting down in the living room, with her hands in fists. He frowned as he walked towards her. “What's wrong?” he asked immediately, and she looked up at him, getting even angrier as she saw him. “Is there a way we can put an end to Damian once and for all?” She asked, and Aldo smiled, sitting right beside her at the dining table. “It just doesn't work that way in this world,” he said, and Liya wanted to groan in frustration. Then Aldo frowned, making her face him. “Why do you want to put an end to him? What did he do?” He asked immediately. “He was here,” Liya finally said, making Aldo freeze. “How did he make his way inside?” He asked, and she shrugged. “He said you should get more creative with the passwords to your home. Aldo was about to start suspecting that someone had given Damian the passwords again. But then he knew that if Damian had gotten the passwords there was no way he wouldn't have gotten the ones to the
Liya had spent the night in her room alone, but this time, it felt different. It was like she was missing something. After they had dinner and with the way Aldo headed upstairs, she didn’t know if he was angry. She was already feeling stupid for bringing up whatever Liam had said. But Aldo said himself that he was giving her a chance to make her own decisions. And even if she wanted to be around both of them for the longest time possible, she could only hope that there was nothing that was going to make her change her mind about anything. As she got up the next morning, it was slightly drizzling outside. But that seemed like the perfect weather for her to head outside. She had her bath, dried her hair, and packed the whole thing in a rough bun. As she headed downstairs, she was slightly shocked to see Aria sitting in the living room. She had her feet up on the chair, right in front of the cackling fire. And for the first time in a while, she had her glasses on. “You seem to be enjo
Aldo could already perceive the aroma of the nice food coming from the kitchen. But he knew very well that it wasn’t from one of the maids. There was something about the aroma of that particular dish that made him know that it would be mouth-watering. As he walked further into the house, he spotted Aria giggling and laughing on the counter as she chomped down on a few cookies. There was also something different about his day. He didn’t know if it was that he had woken up beside Liya. It just had to be a lucky day. And that was it. There was nothing more.As he walked further into the kitchen, he saw Liya stirring a pot of spaghetti. “What are you doing?” he asked, and the two girls flinched, before turning in his direction. Aria squeezed her chest in fear. “Why did you have to scare us like that?” She asked in a slightly playful tone that made Aldo raise an eyebrow. He was slightly angry that once again, Liya had disobeyed his orders. She didn't listen.“I asked you not to stress y
Liya wasn’t the same as she headed back to the place where Aria and Melinda were. She handed both of them their ice creams, and she was glad that she was able to get that bit right. “Where is yours?” Aria asked, and Liya shook her head. “I would probably have it later.” The only voice that was in her head was that of Liam.Melinda held her by the shoulder. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at Liya. Liya plastered a fake smile on her face. She knew that Aria had been looking forward to that outing, and she couldn’t be the one to ruin it for her. “There’s nothing wrong. Just that my arm started to hurt a little.” Liya said, and the way she lied so smoothly that it shocked even her. But it was just for this instance. She wasn’t going to keep lying. It didn’t matter if she did. The only thing she didn’t want was to extend the lying attitude to Aldo. Because she could tell that it was something that Damian wanted and he would take advantage of he saw th
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