Chapter Three: A Marriage of Vengeance

The church was cold, the air humming with tension that rivaled the icy marble beneath Sierra Morgan’s heels. She stood at the altar, her hands clasped in front of her, the weight of the moment pressing on her chest like a leaden stone. The man beside her, Dominic Rinaldi, hadn’t cast a glance in her direction since the ceremony began. He remained standing straight, composed, with his hands folded behind him, his expression unreadable.

The priest's voice droned repetitively, a muted sound of duty and custom, yet Sierra hardly listened. Her eyes darted toward the pews, where Hunter and Ryder sat like statues, their faces carved with silent expectations. Hunter caught her gaze, his lips curling into a faint smirk that sent a shiver down her spine.

“ Sierra Morgan,” the priest's voice interrupted her reflections. “Do you accept Dominic Rinaldi as your legally married husband?”

She paused, her throat constricting.

"She does," Dominic replied calmly, his tone low, cutting, and filled with certainty.

The space became quiet. Sierra's head turned sharply in his direction, her lips slightly separating in resistance.

“I don’t believe that’s your role,” she replied, her tone gentle yet tinged with resistance.

Dominic’s intense stare finally connected with hers, his deep brown eyes narrowing with subtle amusement. “You were wasting too much time.”

Beneath the weight of his stare, Sierra’s chest constricted. She forced herself to exhale, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. “I do.”

Dominic’s lips quirked into the ghost of a smile—mocking, perhaps, or challenging. She couldn’t tell.

“And do you, Dominic Rinaldi, take Sierra Morgan to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the priest asked, clearly unnerved by the tension crackling between the couple.

“I do,” Dominic said without hesitation, his voice as smooth as silk, as cold as steel.

The vows passed in a blur. Sierra’s mind raced, the weight of her brothers’ plan pressing against her like a dagger to her spine. She stole another glance at Hunter and Ryder. Hunter’s smirk deepened, a silent reminder of her mission. Betray him. Earn his trust. Deliver him to us.

When Dominic slid the ring onto her finger, his touch was cool, mechanical, devoid of warmth. Sierra’s fingers trembled, but she steadied herself, forcing her hand to remain still.

“Smile for the cameras,” Dominic muttered, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

“What?”

“They’re watching.” His gaze darted to the gathered guests, reporters, and security personnel positioned at each corner. "If you want to avoid them believing it's a funeral rather than a wedding, I recommend you act properly."

Sierra forced a strained smile onto her lips. “You seem awfully good at pretending.”

Dominic’s eyes cut back to her, sharp and calculating. “I’ve had practice.”

The voice of the priest ascended again. “I hereby declare you as husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Sierra felt a knot in her stomach. Dominic's hand reached for her waist, his hold steady yet gentle. He leaned closer, and for an instant, his lips grazed her ear.

"Don't hesitate," he whispered, his breath warm on her skin. “They are watching.”

Before she had a chance to reply, a voice pierced the silence.

“Dominic,” said Luca Rinaldi, Dominic’s younger sibling, as he walked to the table holding a glass of whiskey. “Congrats on the wedding.”

“Thanks, Luca,” Dominic replied smoothly, although his eyes remained on Sierra for a moment longer before moving to Luca.

---

The reception was a war zone masquerading as a festivity. The ballroom sparkled with chandeliers and golden details, yet the smiles shared among guests were pointed and cautious, blades concealed beneath sleek surfaces.

Sierra sat next to Dominic at the head table, her fingers wrapped around the stem of a champagne glass. The strain between them was evident, each look, each word a quiet clash.

"You’re extremely quiet," Dominic remarked, his tone soft as he leaned in a bit closer to her.

“I wasn’t aware you wanted a conversation,” Sierra replied, her tone clipped. “You haven’t exactly been friendly.”

“We’re not friends.” His lips curved into a faint smirk. “We’re married.”

“Is there a difference?”

Dominic’s gaze lingered on her, his amusement giving way to something darker, more intense. “You tell me.”

Sierra turned away, her eyes scanning the room. She spotted Hunter and Ryder near the bar, their heads closed as they whispered to one another. Ryder caught her eye and nodded subtly a silent command.

“Your brothers seem to be enjoying themselves,” Dominic said, following her gaze.

“They’re celebrating.”

“Celebrating or scheming?”

Sierra’s breath caught. She turned back to him, forcing a smile. “You’re paranoid.”

Dominic leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “And you’re a terrible liar.”

Her heart pounded, yet she maintained a calm expression. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Do you not?" His gaze pierced into hers, intense and unwavering. "I've been part of this scene long enough to recognize when someone is concealing something."

Sierra straightened, her fingers tightening around her glass. “Then maybe you should focus on your enemies instead of your wife.”

Dominic’s smirk returned, colder this time. “Who says they’re different?”

Before she had a chance to reply, a voice pierced the silence.

“Dominic,” said Luca, Dominic’s younger sibling, as he walked to the table holding a glass of whiskey. “I trust I’m not disturbing you.”

“Not in the least,” Dominic replied smoothly, although his eyes remained on Sierra for a moment longer before moving to Luca.

Luca's gaze shifted to Sierra, his smile effortless and captivating. “Sister-in-law,” he remarked, lifting his glass. “Welcome to the family.”

Sierra forced a polite smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re braver than I thought,” Luca continued his tone light but edged with something she couldn’t quite place. “Marrying this one.” He gestured toward Dominic.

Dominic’s expression darkened. “That’s enough, Luca.”

Luca held up his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, brother. I'm simply stating that she should be awarded a medal for tolerating you.”

Dominic clenched his jaw, yet he remained silent. Luca's eyes stayed on Sierra for a brief moment longer before he took his leave, vanishing into the throng.

“Delightful,” Sierra remarked, taking a sip of her champagne.

“He’s an idiot,” Dominic muttered, his tone clipped.

“Family can be... complicated,” Sierra said, her voice softening slightly.

Dominic’s eyes flicked to her, studying her face. “You would know.”

Perhaps," she confessed, her tone hardly louder than a whisper. "Regardless, you are also...” she stopped halfway, reminding herself to not get comfortable with Dominic.

His lips formed a slight smile, yet it failed to brighten his eyes. "We shall watch."

As he was about to depart, Sierra’s voice halted him.

"Why did you say yes to this?" she asked, her voice gentle now. "This marriage?"

Dominic glanced back at her for a slight moment and continued walking without answering her.