THE MARRIAGE

The wedding takes place exactly thirty-six hours after Ocean's proposal.

Father O'Brien arrives at Ocean's mansion in Belgravia at ten in the morning, looking uncomfortable. He's been the family's priest for twenty years, has performed weddings and funerals and baptisms for the organization. But this... this is different. Everyone can feel it.

The ceremony is set up in Ocean's study. No decorations. No flowers. No guests except those who absolutely must be there. Daniel stands to Ocean's right, his face carefully neutral. Michael is there too, along with Lilo and Bryan. Ocean's inner circle, present as witnesses.

And Ethan.

Ocean insisted Ethan be there. Not as a guest. As a witness to the fact that his ex-wife is now untouchable. Ethan stands in the corner, his face purple with rage. His fists are clenched so tightly his knuckles are white. Every few seconds, a muscle in his jaw twitches. But he doesn't speak. Doesn't move. Because four of Ocean's security men are stationed around the room, and everyone knows what will happen if Ethan tries anything.

Representatives from the other families have been invited too. This marriage needs to be official, recognized. Vincent Romano is there with his wife Sophia. Dmitri Volkov sent two of his captains. Several neutral parties from other organizations. All of them watching with barely concealed fascination.

Ocean Moretti marrying his son's ex-wife. The scandal is delicious. The implications are enormous. Lola stands in the bedroom Ocean has given her, staring at herself in the mirror.

She's wearing a simple cream-colored dress that Hannah helped her pick out from the designer boutique that delivered a selection this morning. It's elegant, modest, beautiful. Nothing like the elaborate white gown she wore when she married Ethan four years ago.

This isn't that kind of wedding.

This is a transaction. A legal protection. A way to save her life. Hannah fusses with Lola's hair, her hands gentle and efficient. She's around twenty-eight, with bright red hair and a warm smile that seems genuine. She's been kind since Lola arrived yesterday, not asking too many questions, just helping.

"You look beautiful," Hannah says. "Are you ready?"

Ready? No. She'll never be ready for this.

But she nods anyway.

"Hey." Hannah's voice softens. She turns Lola to face her. "I know this is scary. I know this whole situation is insane. But Ocean... he's a good man. Strict as hell, yeah, but he's fair. And he doesn't make promises he doesn't keep. If he said you're safe, you're safe."

"You work for him," Lola whispers. "You have to say that."

"I work for him because I choose to. Trust me, I've had offers from other families." Hannah squeezes Lola's hand. "He saved you. That means something."

Lola wants to believe her. Wants to trust that this nightmare might actually have a bearable ending. Hannah leads her downstairs. With every step, Lola's heart pounds harder. She can hear voices from Ocean's study. Deep and serious.

They're all waiting for her.

Hannah pauses at the door. Gives her hand one more squeeze. "You've got this."

Then she opens the door.

The room falls silent. Every eye turns to Lola as she steps inside. She wants to disappear. Wants to run. But there's nowhere to go. Nowhere that's safer than here. Ocean is standing near his desk in a dark suit, looking every inch the powerful Capo he is. When his eyes meet hers, his expression softens just slightly.

He walks over to her. Offers his arm.

"Are you alright?" he asks quietly, so only she can hear. She nods even though it's a lie. She's not alright. She's terrified. But what choice does she have? Ocean guides her to stand beside him in front of Father O'Brien. The priest looks distinctly uncomfortable, his Bible clutched tightly in his hands.

From the corner, Ethan makes a sound. Something between a laugh and a growl. Ocean's security men shift closer to him. Father O'Brien clears his throat. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Ocean Moretti and Lola Brown in holy matrimony."

Lola barely hears the words. She's too aware of everyone watching. Of Ethan's hatred burning from across the room. Of the whispers she can almost hear even though no one is speaking.

She's marrying her ex-father-in-law. The man who was supposed to be family is now becoming her husband. It's wrong on so many levels she can't even count them. But it's also the only thing keeping her alive.

"Ocean Moretti, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Ocean's voice is steady. Strong. "I do."

"Lola Brown, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Her voice comes out as a whisper. "I do."

"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Father O'Brien closes his Bible quickly, like he wants this over with as much as everyone else. "You may kiss the bride."

Ocean turns to her. For a moment, their eyes meet. She sees apology there. Understanding that this isn't what either of them wanted. He leans down and presses a brief, chaste kiss to her forehead. Not her lips. Her forehead.

It's kind. Respectful.

It makes her want to cry.

"It's done," Ocean announces to the room. His voice carries authority. Finality. "Lola is now my wife. She is under my protection. Anyone who harms her answers to me."

The message is clear. The threat unmistakable.

Ethan finally speaks. "This is a fucking joke."

Ocean turns to face his son. "No. What's a joke is you filing for divorce to have your wife killed because you couldn't handle being confronted about abusing her. This" he gestures to Lola "is me cleaning up your mess."

"She was mine..."

"She was never yours. You never deserved her." Ocean's voice could freeze fire. "And now she's mine to protect. Get used to it."

Vincent Romano steps forward, breaking the tension. "Congratulations, Ocean." His tone is diplomatic, neutral. "An... uh unexpected union, but a marriage nonetheless." Sophia Romano, Vincent's wife, approaches Lola. She's an elegant older woman with kind eyes that remind Lola of a mother she never had. "Welcome to the family, dear. If you need anything, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask."

It's genuine kindness. Lola nods, not trusting her voice. The other representatives offer their congratulations, though most seem more curious than sincere. Dmitri Volkov's men look amused. This is entertainment for them. Drama in the organization.

Through it all, Ethan stands in the corner, seething. Before he leaves, he looks directly at Lola.

"This isn't over," he says quietly. "You'll regret this."

Ocean steps between them instantly. "Are you threatening my wife?"

The room goes silent. Everyone knows what Ocean is asking. Is Ethan stupid enough to threaten the Capo's wife?

Ethan's jaw works. Finally, he turns and storms out. The door slams behind him.

"Everyone out," Ocean says calmly. "Thank you for coming. The ceremony is over."

The room empties quickly. Even Daniel and the other inner circle members leave, though Daniel catches Ocean's eye with a look that says they need to talk later. Hannah lingers for a moment. Catches Lola's eye and gives her a small, encouraging smile before slipping out.

Soon, it's just Ocean and Lola.

She stands there in her cream dress, feeling lost. Feeling like she's in a dream. A nightmare.

"Come," Ocean says gently. "Let me show you your room properly."

He leads her upstairs. The mansion is massive, easily three times the size of Ethan's house. The hallways are wide, the ceilings high. Everything screams wealth and power.

Ocean stops at a door on the second floor. "This is yours." He opens it, and Lola steps inside.

It's beautiful. A large bedroom with a four-poster bed, elegant furniture, and windows overlooking the gardens. There's an ensuite bathroom and what looks like a walk-in closet.

"Your things from Ethan's house are already here," Ocean says. "Hannah unpacked for you. If you need anything else, clothes, toiletries, anything, just let her know. Or tell me directly."

Lola nods numbly.

"My room is at the end of the hall." Ocean points. "But I won't disturb you. This marriage is for your protection, Lola. Nothing more. You have your space. Your privacy. You're safe here."

Safe. That word again.

"Thank you," she whispers. "For saving my life."

Ocean's expression softens. "You don't need to thank me. Just... try to rest. I know this has been overwhelming."

He turns to leave, then pauses. "Lola? If you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask. You're not a prisoner here. You're my wife. That means you're protected, respected. No one will hurt you. Not Ethan, not anyone."

Then he's gone, closing the door quietly behind him.

Lola stands in the center of her beautiful new room and slowly sinks onto the bed.

She's married to Ocean Moretti.

She's safe from the collection crew.

She's alive.

But as she looks around the luxurious room, at the expensive furniture and soft bedding, she realizes something.

This is still a cage. Just a different one.

A prettier cage with a kinder captor. But a cage nonetheless.

She didn't choose this. Didn't choose Ocean. She chose survival. That's all.

And now she has to live with that choice.

She lies back on the bed and stares at the ceiling, tears sliding silently down her face.

She's Ocean Moretti's wife now.

God help her.

What kind of life is this going to be?

The wedding ring on her finger feels heavy. Foreign. Like it doesn't belong there.

Nothing about this feels right.

But at least she's alive.

At least she survived another day.

And maybe, just maybe, that's enough.

For now.

There's a soft knock on her door. "Lola? It's Hannah. Can I come in?"

Lola sits up, wiping her tears quickly. "Yes."

Hannah enters with a tray. Tea and small sandwiches. "Figured you might not have eaten. And tea helps. Everything helps with tea, my mum used to say."

She sets the tray down and sits on the edge of the bed, not too close, giving Lola space.

"That was the weirdest wedding I've ever seen," Hannah says. "And I've worked here for five years, so that's saying something."

Despite everything, Lola almost smiles.

"You're going to be okay," Hannah says. "I know it doesn't feel like it right now. But you will be."

"How do you know?"

"Because Ocean doesn't do anything halfway. If he said he'd protect you, he will. And because..." Hannah hesitates. "Because you survived four years with Ethan. If you can survive that, you can survive anything."

Lola looks at this woman with bright red hair and a kind smile, and feels something she hasn't felt in years.

Hope. Just a tiny spark of it.

Maybe, just maybe, she's not completely alone anymore.

"Thank you," Lola whispers.

"Don't mention it." Hannah stands. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's a new day. A better one, I hope."

She leaves, and Lola is alone again.

But somehow, the room feels a little less like a cage.

Just a little.