PROLOGUE

Marcello's POV

Six years ago,

“When you’re born into chaos, you learn to navigate it. But she was the chaos I didn’t see coming.”

Five months ago, my mother dragged me back to this city. She had fought hard to keep me away from my father, desperate for me not to follow in his footsteps. But he found us, of course, he always does. After all, he’s Don Rossi, and no one outsmarts the boss for long.

Today’s training flew by, which was just as well, since my father was throwing one of his infamous monthly mafia parties tonight. Normally, I’d disappear for the evening, but he made it clear I had to stick around this time. And when Don Rossi speaks, you listen.

The party was in full swing by the time I arrived, the room buzzing with tension disguised as polite conversation. Men in sharp suits, women in elegant dresses—it all looked so refined. But I knew better. Beneath the surface, every person here was capable of unspeakable things.

“Enjoying the view?” a voice interrupted from behind. I turned my head slightly.

Alessia. Always hovering.

“You should try smiling once in a while,” she teased, her grin wide and playful. I stared at her blankly, and she faltered under the weight of my silence.

“You’re very lucky I let you stand this close to me,” I said coldly, watching the smile vanish from her face, replaced by unease.

Alessia was the daughter of one of my father’s closest allies, and she never failed to irritate me. She was the type who always had to know everything about everyone, sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. A few days after I returned to the city, she told me she liked me. It wasn’t just annoying—it was pathetic. Who confesses feelings to someone they barely know?

Sure, I know I’m good-looking, and at twenty, I'm looking way more than my age. But still. She should’ve known better.

“They always look so happy together, don’t they?” Alessia’s voice broke through my thoughts again. She gestured toward my father and hers, sitting at a table alone, watching the room with the same calculating gaze.

My father caught my eye and smiled—a rare gesture. He wasn’t just pleased to see me at the party. He was thrilled I was standing near Alessia. I knew exactly what that meant. His plan was clear: he wanted me to marry her. It made sense in his world—uniting two powerful families was the ultimate play for control.

But I had no intention of letting him decide my life.

“Can you hear me?” Alessia’s hand tapped my shoulder lightly, snapping me out of my thoughts. I spun around, fury rising.

“Don’t touch me,” I warned, my voice ice-cold. Her hand dropped, and I stormed off, not giving her the chance to speak again.

As I reached my room, I yanked off my jacket, still seething. How dare she lay her hands on me? She thought I didn’t see her earlier, groping that new guy on the staircase, almost naked. And then she had the nerve to touch me with the same hands. Disgusting.

I pushed open the door, ready to shut out the noise of the party—and then something shifted. The door wobbled in my grasp, and before I could turn on the light, someone slipped inside.

“Please… help me. Don’t let them take me,” a female voice begged, breathless and trembling.

I stiffened. “Get out.”

“Please… I’ll do anything,” she whimpered, her voice thick with fear. Something in her tone stopped me cold. I turned slowly, but it was still too dark to see anything.

I flipped on the light, expecting an empty room. But there she was—huddled in the corner, her chest rising and falling rapidly, eyes wide and terrified. She was beautiful, far more beautiful than I’d expected, with soft features and a floral sundress that looked improper in this house of criminals.

Suddenly, the door creaked open behind me. The same guy from the staircase earlier, along with two others, appeared in the doorway. His eyes scanned the room.

“Hey, man. You see a girl run by here?” he asked, feigning casualness.

I locked eyes with him, unamused. “Do I look like a babysitter?”

He smirked and glanced over my shoulder, clearly uncertain but unwilling to push me further. I waited until they left before turning back to the girl.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice like a breath of relief.

I stood still, watching her as she straightened up. Her scent;a mix of something sweet and fresh, filled the air. I couldn’t help but notice how striking she was up close, more beautiful than anyone I had ever seen. Everything about her pulled me in, and for the first time, I didn’t feel the need to keep my distance.

“What do you want in return?” she asked softly, her eyes meeting mine. There was something genuine in the way she spoke, like she wasn’t sure what came next but was willing to offer anything for saving her.

“What do you want me to do?” Her voice trembled slightly, but I could see she was trying to regain her composure.

I stepped closer, my gaze trailing over her face, her lips, the gentle curve of her neck. The anger that had been boiling in my chest moments ago vanished, replaced by something far more dangerous.

“You,” I said, the word slipping out before I could stop it.

She blinked, confused.

I leaned in, my voice low, cold. “What do I want? I want to own you.”

There was no hesitation in my voice. I didn’t know why, but I needed her closer. Not just at the moment, but something deeper. I want her life bound to mine in a way that no one else could ever touch her, “I want her to be mine”.