Chapter One

“Please don't hurt me,” I whimpered softly, as I watched him approach the bed I was tied to.

He looked over thirty, with a boyish charm that didn’t match the raw power that radiated from him. Tousled dark hair framed a face that was all angles and smooth lines. His eyes—cold, steel gray—held a mystery and dark intensity that made it hard to look away. He wore an all-black suit that clung perfectly to his tall, muscular frame, a picture of control and danger wrapped in silk. 

He tilted his head slightly, just like you would look at a stray kitten. “I'll never hurt you, doll.”

He walked casually to me and leaned down, his lips almost brushing against mine. “I have been waiting for this moment for a long time.”

—--------

A few hours ago, I was in class, taking notes and thinking of my 22nd birthday party coming up in a few days.

My dad planned an extravagant party for me, and I was looking forward to celebrating with my family and friends.

Now I'm here, in this room, with a man that reeks of power and looks like sin on legs. 

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked him. “I don't even know you.”

“Your daddy never told you?”

I was even more confused now than scared.

I could feel him watching me from under his lashes. He smirked and sat down on one of the plush sofas in the room.

What he said next made no sense to me.

“You're my wife, doll. Your daddy and I had a contract signed when you were just ten years old.”

I looked at him like he just grew horns on both sides of his head. His smirk grew wider, and he sat back on the chair, arms spread.

“Your daddy owed my family a shit-ton of money, he couldn't pay back, and instead of sorting it out like a man, he signed you to me as my wife in exchange for his debt.”

I couldn't take it anymore. This stranger, this man was calling my father a coward—the man who raised me my entire life in love and luxury. He provided my every need and loved me unconditionally. My dad was no coward.

“You're a liar, you're a fucking liar,” I screamed at him. “And stop calling me doll, my name is Elena, you sick fuck.”

He smiled at me for the first time, and I could see his perfect teeth and adorable dimples on both sides of his cheek. That gave him a flair of innocence that drew you in despite the danger in his eyes.

I was mad at myself for thinking of him like that. This man kidnapped me, lying to me that my father signed me off to him to pay some debt.

I tried to get out of the cuffs, but he just sat there watching me.

I tried to scream, cried my eyes out.

“No one's coming to save you, doll.”

“You're mine now.”

“I don't believe you. My dad would never sign me off.”

He suddenly stood up, went to a drawer near the bed, and took out an envelope. He placed it in my hand. 

“Read it.”

With shaky hands, I tore open the envelope and inside was a letter written in my dad's familiar handwriting.

---

My dearest Elena,

I'm really sorry for failing you as a father. With the death of your mom, and the business in so much financial strain, I took a loan from The Romanos. Their leader, Diego Romano, demanded collateral when I wasn't able to pay off as agreed. I had no choice. I signed a marriage contract between you and Diego, effective from your 22nd birthday. 

I wish I could turn the hands of time and undo my mistakes, but I can't. I only hope you can find a way to forgive me. I want you to know how deeply sorry I am, and how much I love you, my beautiful girl. I hope you'll find happiness and peace in this new life. Just know, your mother will always watch over you from heaven 

With all my heart,

Your father,

Alex Russo

---

I didn’t realize when the tears flooded down my face.

My heart broke into a thousand pieces as I read the words, my father’s voice echoing in my head with every sentence. My hands trembled, the paper rustling loudly in the stillness of the room. The letter slipped from my fingers onto the bed.

He placed a tissue box by my side and allowed me to cry.

I looked up into his eyes, and they softened at the sight of me, almost like he was on the verge of crying himself—but it disappeared almost as quickly as I saw it.

“You're a part of my empire now, doll”

I looked at him, through the tears blinding me. “Who are you, Diego?”

“Well, my family runs the mafia underground in New York. Ever heard of Romano Corporation?”

The Romano Corporation was a household name in the entire city. People talked about them in whispers, and their leader—standing in front of me—was like a ghost who swept through the city exerting his power and dominance.

It was said, he kills people for breakfast and feeds their bodies to his rabid beasts. His name alone was enough to instill fear into the hearts of many.

Nobody knows what he looks like. Well, until now.

I would never have thought in a million years that my dad would have anything to do with people like this. My entire life just shattered before my eyes—everything I ever knew and believed in was a lie.

I could feel the room spinning. I couldn’t breathe. My chest felt tight, my limbs weak.

I couldn’t take any more hits. I needed to be alone.

“I need to be alone, please,” I choked out.

He looked at me for a few seconds and got up from the chair. He leaned over my small frame and placed a small kiss on my cheek, then turned to leave.

When he got to the door, he stopped and said over his shoulder, “You'll be fine, Elena. I promise.”

All traces of the playful arrogance he carried were gone. I could see the seriousness in his eyes—and with that, he was gone.

As soon as the door shut, I broke down and cried hot tears, my entire frame shaking with painful sobs. I clutched my knees to my chest and rocked, feeling as if my soul had collapsed. 

I knew my life would never be the same, and I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a good or bad change.