In the shadowy underbelly of Chicago, where loyalty is currency and power is everything, 18-year-old Kylie Santos finds herself at the center of a dangerous game she never asked to play. What happens when duty collides with desire? When the price of family loyalty is your own heart? Born into the notorious Santos crime family, Kylie has always known her life would be different. But nothing could have prepared her for the bombshell her father drops one fateful evening. As rival gangs close in, threatening to destroy everything the Santos family has built over generations, Kylie learns that she is to be the linchpin in a desperate plan for survival. "You will marry his oldest son, Lysander," her father declares, his voice as cold and unyielding as steel. In an instant, Kylie's world shatters. She's to wed Lysander Vincenzo, heir to the New York Familia — their longtime enemies turned reluctant allies. can decades of bloodshed and mistrust truly be erased by a single union? Suddenly, Kylie is thrust into a world of high-stakes politics and deadly power plays. Every move she makes could tip the delicate balance between peace and all-out war. As she navigates this treacherous new reality, Kylie must grapple with her own desires and ambitions. Can she sacrifice her dreams for the greater good of her family or find a way to forge her own path amidst the chaos? But Lysander Vincenzo is no mere pawn in this game of chess. Rumored to be as ruthless as he is handsome, he harbors his own secrets and ambitions. As Kylie and Lysander circle each other warily, an unexpected spark ignites between them. Could their arranged union blossom into something real or will the weight of family expectations and old grudges snuff out any chance at true love?
View MoreA GLIMPSE OF LYSANDER'S HUMANITYHe spoke to the hostess in low, confident tones, and within minutes we were seated in a small booth near the back. I looked around, still trying to process this new side of him. Lysander, the man who wielded power with a single word, who had made my life a carefully controlled nightmare, was now sitting across from me in a tiny, bustling restaurant, his presence seeming almost out of place.“You don’t like it?” he asked, his voice pulling my gaze back at him.I shook my head quickly. “No, it’s not that. I just didn’t expect…” I trailed off, feeling foolish for even trying to explain.A waitress appeared, her eyes lingering on Lysander a little longer than necessary as she handed us menus. I glanced at him as he studied the options, his face calm and collected, almost as if he did this sort of thing all the time.“What would you like?” he asked without looking up.I scanned the unfamiliar names on the menu, suddenly feeling very out of my depth. “I don’
A LIFE IN LIMBOThe honesty in his voice startled her. For a moment, she glimpsed something raw, almost vulnerable, in his eyes. It vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by that cool, confident mask he always wore.“I won’t jump,” she said, the words more for herself than him. “But I can’t live like this either.”“You will,” he murmured, stepping closer, his presence overwhelming in the darkened space. “You’ll adapt. I’ll help you.”“Help me?” she echoed, a bitter laugh escaping her. “You’re the reason I’m trapped here.”“Maybe,” he conceded, reaching out to touch her cheek. “But you’re not alone. You have me.”His fingers were warm against her skin, and despite everything, she leaned into the touch, desperate for some semblance of comfort. “What do you want from me, Lysander?”“Everything,” he whispered, his lips brushing against her temple. “I want everything.”She closed her eyes, his words sinking deep, making her chest ache. “I can’t give you that.”“Not yet,” he agreed, h
TRAPPED IN THE LUXURIOUS PENTHOUSEThe drive to New York felt like the final nail in her coffin. As they crawled through the city, skyscrapers looming above, she stared out the window, trying to ignore the tight knot of anxiety in her stomach. The lights of the city blurred together, a shimmering contrast to the darkness in her heart. She glanced sideways at Lysander, his profile hard and unreadable.“So,” his voice broke the silence, casual but with an edge that made her skin prickle. “Thinking about running?”Her heart stuttered, but she kept her expression neutral. “Where would I go?” she muttered, knowing full well he’d find her wherever she ran. It wasn’t a real question; it was a reminder—a cruel one—that she was caught in his web, with no escape.He glanced at her, a shadow of a smirk playing on his lips. “Good. It’s better if you don’t even try.”They pulled into a private garage, the kind of place where only those with deep pockets and darker secrets could afford to park. As
A POIGNANT FAREWELL AND NEW BEGINNINGS"Is everything alright?" Lysander asked, his eyes moving from me to Rosy.I felt Rosy shrink behind me, and I instinctively moved to shield her. "She's okay," I said, my voice quivering slightly. "Just... the sheets. It was a bit much for her."Kim's brow furrowed. "Christ, she shouldn't have had to see that. Girls of her age shouldn't be exposed to such things." He looked at Lysander, who nodded dismissively."It's an unfortunate necessity," Lysander said, his tone matter-of-fact.I felt a flash of anger at their casual dismissal of Rosy's distress, but I pushed it down. This wasn't the time or place to argue."She needs some tea," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "To settle her stomach."Kim immediately straightened. "I can get that for her. And I'll stay with her if you need to get back to the guests."I felt Rosy tensed behind me. "That's very kind," I said quickly, "but I think Rosy would prefer if I stayed with her. She's... not feel
BEYOND THE FACADEI smoothed the fabric again, more out of nervous habit than necessity. "Thanks. I figured I should look presentable, you know, meeting yourfather and mine after... well, you know."A smirk played at the corner of his lips. "Ah yes, the morning-after parade. Are you ready for the scrutiny?"I laughed nervously. "As ready as I'll ever be. Though I suppose someone could always lift my skirt and check my thighs for bruises, just to be sure."The humor vanished from Lysander's face in an instant. He crossed the room in two long strides, his hand gripping my arm. "If anyone so much as thinks about touching you like that, they'll lose their fucking hand. Understood?"I nodded, my heart racing at his sudden intensity. Part of me was thrilled at his protectiveness, while another part screamed danger. I couldn't tell if this was genuine care or just another form of control."Come," he said, releasing my arm and offering his hand. "Let's not keep them waiting."As we descended
A NEW REALITYAva's eyes met mine, confusion replacing anger for a moment. I tugged her toward the bathroom, desperate for a moment of privacy. As soon as the door closed behind us, Ava rounded on me."Kylie, what the hell is going on? Did he hurt you? I swear I'll kill him if he—""No, Ava, stop," I interrupted, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's not what you think. Lysander... he didn't touch me."Ava's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? But the sheets..."I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confession. "It wasn't my blood. Lysander... he cuts himself. To protect me."The silence that followed was deafening. Ava stared at me, her mouth hanging open in shock. "He... what? Why would he do that?"I shook my head, still struggling to understand it myself. "I don't know. But he did. I'm still... I'm still a virgin, Ava."My sister's face cycled through a range of emotions—confusion, relief, and then suspicion. "Kylie, are you sure? This doesn't make any sense. Why would Lysa
UNSPOKEN RULES OF THE MAFIA“How am I supposed to believe you can convince everyone we’ve consummated our marriage when you keep flinching away from my touch?”“Believe me, the flinching will make everyone believe the lie even more. I definitely wouldn’t have stopped flinching away from your touch if you’d taken what’s yours. The more I flinch, the more they will see you as the monster you want them to think you are.”Lysander chuckled, the sound low and amused. “I think you might know more about playing the game of power than I expected.”I shrugged. “My father is Consigliere.”He tilted his head, acknowledging my words. Then he brought his hand up to cup my face. “What I meant earlier was that your face doesn’t look like you’ve been kissed.”My eyes widened. “I’ve never…” But of course he knew that already.His lips collided with mine, and my palms instinctively came up against his chest. I didn’t push him away. His tongue teased my lips, demanding entrance. I hesitated, but then I
THE WEIGHT OF TRADITIONSunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. I stirred, trying to stretch, but a heavy arm was thrown across my waist, and a firm chest pressed against my back. Panic fluttered in my stomach as the events of yesterday rushed back. I am married now to Lysander.“Good, you’re awake,” he said, his voice gruff with sleep. I froze, suddenly hyper-aware of him.Lysander. My husband. The reality hit me like a cold splash of water. He hadn’t consummated our marriage. I opened my eyes, catching sight of him propped up on one elbow, his intense gaze sweeping over my face. His hand gripped my hip possessively, and I felt the heat radiating from him, even though our bodies weren’t touching. I wondered what he was thinking.In the sunlight, the scars on his skin were less prominent than I remembered. His muscles were impressive, and I found myself wondering how they would feel to the touch. It was strange being in bed with him, but I tried to pus
KYLIE'S TEARS AND LYSANDER'S OATHWithout warning, Lysander reached for the lamp. The room plunged into darkness, and I felt the bed dip as he lay down beside me. I clung to the edge of the mattress, my body rigid with tension. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of our breathing.As I lay there, my mind raced with thoughts of my new reality. This was to be my life now - married to a man I barely knew, a man whose very presence filled me with dread. How did it come to this? My father, the man who was supposed to protect me, had handed me over to Lysander like a bargaining chip. For what? Power? Money? The thought made me sick.I thought of my childhood dreams, of finding love and building a life with someone who cherished me. Those dreams now seemed like cruel jokes, shattered by the harsh reality of my arranged marriage. Tears welled up in my eyes, hot and insistent. I tried to hold them back, but the dam of emotions I had been holding at bay all day final
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