Story 2: Shadow Vows

Story Title: Shadow Vows

Author: Feylume

Genre: Dark Romance, Mafia, Forced Marriage, Possessive Billionaire, Explicit Erotica

Main Characters:

• Aurora Vale – 24, strong-willed, beautiful with long wavy brown hair and fiery spirit. Daughter of a man who owes a huge debt to the mafia.

• Lucien Voss – 36, ruthless mafia king / billionaire, tall, muscular, black hair, cold blue eyes, extremely dominant, dangerous, and possessive.

Blurb:

Sold into a marriage contract with the most feared mafia king to save her family, Aurora expects cruelty — but Lucien’s dark touch awakens a dangerous desire she can’t resist.

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Chapter 1: The Arrangement

AURORA

I was pissed off and scared at the same time — a dangerous combination.

When two of Lucien Voss’s men showed up at my door and told me I was “requested” at his mansion, I almost slammed the door in their faces.

But they made it very clear: this wasn’t an invitation I could refuse. Not if I wanted my father to live another week.

The drive felt like I was heading to my own execution. When the SUV finally stopped in front of the sprawling stone mansion, I lifted my chin and stepped out with as much dignity as I could manage.

I would not tremble in front of him.

The study was exactly what I expected — dark wood, expensive books, and the heavy scent of power.

Lucien Voss stood behind his massive desk like he owned the entire world. And technically, right now, he kind of did.

He was taller than I imagined. Broad shoulders, perfectly tailored black shirt, and those cold, piercing blue eyes that seemed to cut right through me.

His black hair was styled with ruthless precision. Handsome didn’t even begin to describe him. He looked like sin wrapped in an expensive suit.

“Miss Vale,” he said, his deep voice smooth but dangerous. “Sit.”

I stayed standing. “I’d rather not. Let’s get this over with.”

A slow, amused smile curved his lips. He walked around the desk and stopped right in front of me, invading my space without touching me.

He smelled like dark spice and danger.

“Defiant already. I like that,” he murmured. “It’ll make breaking you so much more entertaining.”

My heart slammed against my ribs, but I refused to back down. “I’m not here to entertain you, Mr. Voss. I’m here because you threatened my family.”

He tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was a fascinating new toy.

“Your father owes me three point eight million dollars. He’s been stupid enough to borrow from people far worse than me. I cleared his other debts just so I could have this conversation with you.”

I clenched my fists. “So what do you want? Money? I don’t have any.”

Lucien leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, velvet tone. “I want you, Aurora. For one year. You will marry me. Live in my house. Play the perfect wife in public. And in private… you’ll belong to me completely.”

My breath caught. “You’re insane.”

“Perhaps,” he said with a dark chuckle. “But I’m also your only option. Sign the contract, and every penny your father owes disappears. Your mother’s medical bills will be paid. Your family will be protected from anyone who wants to collect. Refuse… and I’ll let the wolves tear them apart.”

The power imbalance was suffocating. This man could destroy my entire world with one phone call.

I hated how calm he looked. How in control.

I snatched the contract from his desk and read it quickly.

The terms were exactly as cruel as I expected.

One year.

Complete obedience in private. Public appearances. At the end of the year, I would be free — and the debt would stay cleared.

My hand hovered over the signature line.

Lucien watched me with those icy blue eyes, waiting.

“If I do this,” I said, voice shaking with anger, “I’m not going to make it easy for you. I won’t be some meek little wife you can control.”

His smile turned predatory. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

I signed my name with a furious scratch of the pen, then slammed it down on the desk.

The second the pen left my fingers, Lucien moved.

He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me hard against his body. Before I could push him away, his mouth crashed down on mine.

He didn’t ask — he took. His lips moved against mine with fierce hunger, tilting my head back as his tongue invaded my mouth.

One of his large hands gripped the back of my neck, holding me exactly where he wanted me. The other pressed against my lower back, molding my body to his

I tried to resist. I really did.

But a small, traitorous moan escaped my throat as heat flooded through me. My hands fisted in his shirt — not pushing him away, but not pulling him closer either.

My body was betraying me, melting against his hard chest even as my mind screamed at me to fight.

When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard. His blue eyes had darkened to storm clouds.

“That’s just the beginning, little wife,” he said, voice rough with desire. His thumb brushed across my swollen bottom lip.

“You can fight me all you want. It only makes me want to ruin you more.”

I stepped back on shaky legs, touching my lips.

“I hate you,” I whispered.

Lucien’s dark laugh sent another unwanted shiver through me.

“No, you don’t. Not yet.” He stepped closer again, towering over me. “But you will learn to crave me, Aurora. By the time this year is over, you’ll be begging for my touch.”

To be continued…