Chapter 2

I went back to the dressing room. Not long after, a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing Cassian, the director of the little show that just played out. He was already wearing the groom’s suit meant for Julian. Honestly, it fit him better and made him look far more imposing.

Our eyes met through the mirror.

I tilted my head. "Mr. Russo, can I help you?"

He took two steps closer, keeping a polite distance. "Miss Vitiello, can we speak privately?"

I waved the makeup artists out.

"Alright, what is it?"

He did not beat around the bush. "Julian ran away."

I played along, letting my smile freeze for a second, looking as if I had no idea.

"Ran away? What do you mean?"

"His mistress hidden in Brooklyn was kidnapped by rivals, and she is pregnant with his kid."

"He even wanted me to wear a mask and walk you down the aisle in his place."

I looked at his cold, handsome face, finding it hilarious.

He was the one egging Julian on just minutes ago, and now he was the one ratting him out.

I swallowed my smile and asked coldly, "Then why are you telling me? Are you two not best friends?"

Cassian took a step forward, his dress shoes sinking heavily into the carpet.

"What does the mafia value most? Loyalty and honor," he said, looking at me with absolute seriousness. "Even though Julian is an ally, I would never condone such a cowardly act. It is a massive insult to you and the Vitiello family."

I was a bit surprised.

The young, notoriously ruthless Don actually had such an old-school side to him?

"Thank you for your honesty, Don Russo." I turned toward the vanity and picked up my phone. "In that case, I will call off the wedding right now. I will announce to all the guests that the broken alliance is entirely Julian Simpson’s fault."

A large, warm hand suddenly clamped around my wrist.

Cassian’s grip was strong, his palm shockingly hot.

"There is no need to call off the wedding," he stared intensely at me, his voice low and raspy.

I frowned. "The groom ran away. If I do not cancel, am I supposed to walk the aisle alone?"

"Change the groom." Cassian’s gaze trailed from my cheek down to my collarbone, his eyes turning predatory. "Consider me. How about it?"

I froze. "Are you joking?"

"No, I am dead serious."

Cassian let go of my wrist, planting both hands on the edge of the vanity, effectively trapping me in his space.

He laid out his chips clearly, speaking fast but with fatal temptation.

"In terms of territory and business, the Russo family controls two-thirds of New York’s ports and underground trade. We are ten times stronger than the Simpsons."

"In terms of my personal life, I have no mistresses, no bastards. I am entirely clean."

"Most importantly, my position as Don is absolute. If you marry me, you are the undisputed wife of the Russo Don. You will share all my wealth and power."

When he finished, he looked at me nervously. His Adam’s apple bobbed, betraying his real emotions.

I looked at his handsome face so close to mine, calculating fast.

The deal was too good. So good it made absolutely no sense.

"This deal is a guaranteed win for me," I said, meeting his eyes sharply without backing down. "But what about you? Cassian Russo, what exactly are you trying to swallow from the Vitiello family? Or rather, which piece of my father's turf do you want?"

Cassian’s breath hitched.

"I do not want Vitiello turf!" he retorted, flustered.

"Then what is your angle?" I pressed. "Do not feed me that bullshit about solidifying alliances. The Russos do not need a marriage of convenience to secure their throne."

He lost his cool.

The calculated, cold demeanor he had just a second ago shattered.

His chest heaved. He suddenly reached out, cupping the back of my head and pulling me flush against him.

Our noses were almost touching.

He could not hold it back anymore and blurted out, "Because you are the only woman I have ever fucking wanted!"