Chapter 1

On my wedding day,a convoy of bulletproof Lincolns lined the entire street.

The black paint gleamed under the harsh California sun.

It made my eyes sting.

I held up my heavy gown and walked toward the main bridal car.

For seven years,I laundered his money. I took bullets for him.

I even cut ties with my own family for him.

I thought today I'd finally stand by his side. Officially.

But the moment the car door opened,Silas stepped in front of me.

He had no intention of letting me in.

"Cleo,take the one in the back," he said.

His voice was flat,like a routine business announcement.

I followed his gaze.

At the very end of the convoy sat a rusty piece of shit.

It was the Moretti family's transport van for death-row prisoners.

My head spun. I couldn't believe my ears.

"Today is our wedding. You want me to ride to the church in a cage?"

Just then,the window of the main car rolled down.

Gia sat inside.

She was wearing the custom haute couture gown I spent six months choosing.

She turned her head and smirked at me.

"Gia got a death threat today. This car is the safest for her," Silas said.

He didn't even look back.

His excuse sounded so casual. "Besides,she's anti-marriage. She's never getting hitched. She wanted to know what it feels like to be escorted by a Lincoln convoy today. I already said yes."

I shook with rage.

Tears rushed to my eyes.

"She wants to experience it,so she gets to hijack my wedding entrance too?"

For the past six months,just because of her "anti-marriage" bullshit,she tried on my dresses first.

She picked my venues first. Now,she was stealing my once-in-a-lifetime wedding.

Silas scowled,exhaling a sharp,irritated breath.

He grabbed my jaw.

His grip was so tight his nails dug into my skin.

"Stop whining like a clueless little girl,Cleo."

He leaned in close.

His voice was a low warning.

"A title is just a formality. Once we sign the blood oath,the Syndicate will recognize you as the Godmother. When Gia gets bored,I can go through the motions with you again anytime."

He let go.

He didn't even offer a comforting look.

He just got into the car.

The heavy door slammed shut right in my face.

Dozens of luxury engines roared at once.

Exhaust smoke hit me right in the face.

The convoy didn't wait a single second.

They sped away,leaving me all alone on the empty curb.

Two bodyguards in black suits stepped up behind me.

Without a word,they pulled open the freezing,heavy iron door of the prison van.

I bit my lip until it bled.

I forced my tears back.

I lifted my dirty skirt—stained by the exhaust—and stepped into the dark van.

The iron door slammed shut. All the light vanished.

The van drove incredibly slow through the dark underground tunnel.

The Lincoln convoy was long gone.

This heavy piece of junk was left in the dust. I couldn't even see their taillights.

I sat alone on the cold bench.

I stared at the pitch-black walls outside.

My stomach turned with pure disgust.

Seven years of sacrifices flashed before my eyes.

"A formality..." I mocked myself.

Right then,my heart went completely cold.

The man,the wedding—if another woman touched it,it was trash.

"Ma'am," the iron mesh upfront slid open.

The driver turned around. He looked sympathetic.

"The main convoy is long gone. Where to?"

I raised my hand and wiped the tears from my eyes.

I smiled at the driver. The desperation and hope on my face were completely gone.

"Don't bother. Turn the car around."

The driver froze. "What? But the entire underworld is waiting at the church..."

"I said turn around," I interrupted calmly. "The wedding is off."