1

CHAPTER 1

I can't breathe. I'm nervous as hell.

And while I hope it is not as visible as it feels, I like to believe that everyone would simply think I am acting all weird because I'm a first-time bride.

But the truth is, I'm nervous because I'm a fraud.

I never wanted any part in this. But I have no choice. With a deep sigh, I force down an invisible lump in my throat, looking up at the priest.

I press my fingers tighter into the flower I am holding, hoping it hides how much I am shaking. Dreading the words the priest is about to utter.

“Do you, Ariella Cecilia Boone, take Dermos Salvatore to be your lawfully wedded husband?” The priest asks.

I blink.

I badly want to say it, badly want to scream that I am not Ariella Cecilia Boone.

My sister ran away this morning, and I am being forced to take her place. I badly want to fling this flower at his face and flee.

Yet mom's voice replays in my head like a broken record.

“You have to do it, Cara Mia, your sister is nowhere to be found. If we don't fulfill the end of our bargain, you know what Dermos will do to us.”

Yes, I did know what he would do. So, with that, I go along as planned. Pretend to be Ariella until she is found.

My lips tremble as I force the truth down my throat, “Yes, I do.” I murmur, my voice a little over a whisper.

I can't expose family, can't put them in such danger.

The priest nods before turning to the almighty Dermos, asking the same thing.

“Of course, I do.” His deep velvety voice resonates through the church. His calm green eyes lock onto mine, steady and unreadable.

They're not searching mine. They don't look like they suspect a thing. The tight feeling in my chest loosens a tad.

The relief in my face might have shown a little as Dermos's lips curled into a slight smirk. I don't know what to make of it, and just like that, my anxiety spikes again.

The rituals continue, but I am barely present. My eyes drink up the man. I know nothing except that he is the Don of the Italian Mafia.

My eyes rake down his body, adorned in a white suit; he has the most innocent-looking face. The way his eyes twinkle didn't fit the description of the ruthless Don I heard so much about.

My thoughts are cut off as the priest's words filter into my ears, “You may kiss the bride.”

What?

My eyes widen as I watch him lean close, my fingers tighten harder on my flowers as I watch him lean closer, his pink lips now inches away from mine.

“Boss, watch out!” A loud voice booms as shots ring out into the air.

Dermos moves with speed I didn't know a human could possess. One moment he was leaning over, the next he reached into his suit, pulling out a gun and firing back.

My entire body freezes as I watch people scramble about, screams filling the air, yet I don't make a single move.

Is this how it all ends?

“ARIELLA, GET DOWN!!” Dermos' voice breaks through my haze. “Get over here!”

I come back to my senses instantly. But rather than run, my legs give way as my knees scrape the tile.

“What are you doing!” He doesn't give me the chance to respond.

The next moment, tight arms wrap around my body, dragging my limp body up.

I snap back into control, pushing the panic deep down my throat, letting him tug me away.

My heart is beating so fast.

I don't want to die. This isn't how I want my life to end. Marrying a Don against my wish and having my guts spill out on the pavement where I just exchanged vows.

Men dressed in black are scattered around the old cathedral building as they fire guns at each other. I have never seen a sight like this before.

Mom sheltered us our whole life, kept us hidden from the dark world. I never knew anything about this world until I heard of Ariella's arranged marriage.

“Carlos, get Ariella to safety.” Dermos barks at a man hurrying our way. “Don't worry about me.”

I don't get a good look at the man as things turn heated.

Before Carlos can follow orders, Dermos’ arms wrap around my midriff, and he hurls me in another direction.

A blood-curdling scream tears out of my lips as my body is flung down the altar. Pain sears through my side as tears threaten to roll down my face.

I dig my palm into the tiles as I drag my body up, grabbing one of the chairs as I rise to my feet. I snap my head to look at Dermos when strong arms tug me back as the sound of rings through the air.

Thick red liquid spurts out of the guy in front of me, splashing onto my face.

Turns out that one of Dermos' men shot a man who was about to blow my brains out.

“Come on, I will get you to safety.” The man says, reaching out for my arms.

I move away from him swiftly, failing to realise that he is the man Dermos was speaking to earlier.

Breathing hard, I glare at him. “Who are you?” I bark just before it dawns on me.

“Carlos, Dermos's boss,” he says sharply, grabbing my hand to pull me forward.

I shut my eyes as I bite my lips, about to protest, but the sound of bullets ringing in the air has me shrinking before him.

“Take me away from here, please.” I cry out, flinging my arms out to grip his arm.

Once we are successfully out of the church, I can finally breathe.

“Let's go.” He calls out, tugging me like a

puppy.

I dig my heels into the asphalt, refusing to move as I struggle to be free from his hold.

I don't want to leave, not yet. Stepping into that car is equivalent to sealing my fate forever.

“Where is my mom? Where is she? I'm not leaving without her.” I argue, snapping my head again to look behind, pretending to seem worried. I am counting on the fact that he's not aware that my mom never showed up for the wedding.

“All attendees are fine,” he grits out, annoyance written all over his exterior. “They were not coming for anyone that wasn't the bride or us. Now get in.”

I rake my eyes over him. He is a lanky guy with a little muscle. His hair is in a buzz cut, with his piercing blue eyes complementing his pale skin. Blood runs down his jaw over his black suit.

“What of Dermos?” I ask, trying hard to still look worried, knowing fully well that I am stalling.

This might just be the last minute I ever get to be Ariel again. And I plan to savour every second of it.

“What the hell are you both still doing here? I told you to get her to safety. This isn't safe.” Dermos’s deep voice cuts through my haze.

I snap my head only to see him drenched in blood, his white suit now almost red as his eyes blaze with a fury I have never seen.

He tucks his dripping gun into his suit like it's the most normal thing ever. He looks extremely huge and dangerous as he stalks over.

I barely hear anything until he says something that sends a thrill down my spine.

“You are safe, Ariella.” The way he calls my name like he knows something I don't.

Not with him. There was nothing like safety with a dangerous man of this calibre.

What the hell have I gotten into? I think, as I take my first step into my doom.