Chapter 2

Lena’s POV

The figure from the corner had a dangerous aura that could suck oxygen from my lungs, leaving me breathless. His eyes darted behind me and back to my face. Something in his eyes shifted. Dark and cruel. Pulling me in and branding every inch of my body. 

Up close, he was tall. At least six-three. He was built like he could snap me in two without even trying. His suit was perfect, not a wrinkle anywhere. But it was his eyes that made me weak in the knees. Dangerous and cold, such that it was completely empty of anything human. Yet the menacing way he looked at me still managed to make butterflies hatch in my belly.

“I…he tried to..” I stammered, barely finishing my sentence. 

Tension was thick in the air as he stepped into the room. He moved like a cat. Smooth and dangerous. When he spoke, his sexy voice made my stomach flutter in ways that scared me. 

“I saw what happened.” He tilted his head, studying me. My chest tightened, and a sick feeling settled in my stomach. “Lena.” 

My name on his tongue made me cold all over. Goosebumps bloomed all over my arms. How did he know? Strippers don't even use our real names in the club.

I also couldn't help but notice the amused look he had on his face. He wore a smirk, one a proud parent had when their child punched their bully in the face. 

But there is no way I’m waiting to find out how in hell he knows my name and why he wasn't the least shocked at the fact that there was a dead body in the room.

I ran for the door, but froze when I heard heavy footsteps approaching.

Someone was coming. 

My heart began hammering in my chest as I wondered who it was.

The security?

Aunt Lydia?

Whichever one walks through that door, I’m fucked. 

“Mr. Lucano, we need to...” A man in an expensive suit burst in, then stood dead in his tracks when he saw the body. 

Lucano.

My legs gave out completely, and I hit the floor. 

Lucano Baricelli. The ghost who owned this place. 

My boss. 

Heir to the Baricelli family. A multi-billionaire and a ruthless mafia Don. Rumor has it he goes by the alias ‘The Grim Reaper.’

It was at this point that I knew I was completely fucked. 

“Please don't kill me.” I was already crying so hard that I could barely talk. “It was self-defense. He wouldn't stop. I told him no touching, but he…”

“Kill you?” He laughed, soft and gentle. It was worse than screaming. “What a waste that would be.”

Lucano cocked his head, savoring the heat of the moment. His expression was unreadable, as though his mind was playing out different ways to kill me without spilling blood. 

Then he crouched until we were on the same level. His fingers touched my chin as he lifted my face, my heart was already drumming so loudly, threatening to jump out of my throat. 

This close, I could see gold flecks spiral around his pupil. Damn, I had to admit he was fucking handsome but still intimidating.

At this point, my heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to explode. But this wasn't fear anymore. Something else was happening, something that made my skin feel tight and hot. I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, and I knew quite well he could burn me.

He smiled, his dark intentions spreading like a wildfire across every corner of his face.  

“I have a better idea.” His thumb brushed away my tears. The touch alone sent jolts of electricity coursing through me and made me shudder slightly. “How would you like to be my wife?” 

The air shifted. 

The room spun. 

Nothing made sense. 

“What?” 

He smiled again. Sharp. Beautiful. It terrified me. “A contract marriage. You help me solve a problem, and this…” He gestured at the dead man. “Never happened.” 

Marriage. To him. To my boss. To the devil himself. 

“No…” I blurted out, voice thick with fear, “I will call the cops,” I cried. “I will tell them,” I shook my head. “They will believe me, they have to,” I said, sounding pitiful and naive, but deep down, I knew the odds were against me.

He said nothing, just fished his phone out of his pocket and punched the dial button. “I’ll dial the number for you.” 

My eyes widened at his words. The realization kicked in. I was just a nobody, and I didn't even know who the man I just killed was. His family could be wealthy, using their influence to make sure I rot in jail.

I had no other choice, and he just proved that. 

I wiped my tears. “What kind of problem?” The words came out in a whisper.

His smile got wider. For just a second, I saw something almost human in his face. A hint that he was satisfied and impressed with my question.

“The kind that needs someone who looks innocent.” The word innocent rolled off his tongue like honey. Yet, I knew there was nothing innocent in the way this man glared at me. “Someone who can act. Someone who can convince my stubborn father that I am capable of love, so he can give me my birthright.  In turn, I will make sure you will never lack anything.” 

It was a typical devil's deal. Alluring. Sweet. Too sweet to resist. 

Yet I knew one thing.

There was always a catch. 

But maybe I could use this. He said I’ll never lack anything. That means Elsa’s bills will be settled. My mum will get good treatment and get better. 

The devil's made the best deals, right? 

Well, I won't mind being the devil's pawn if it means keeping my family alive.

“When do we start?” I muttered.

He laughed, low and rich and full of promises. It made something deep in my belly tighten. 

“Right now, Mrs Baricelli,” 

The sound of that title on his lips carried a promise, and God help me. I dreamed. I wondered how kissing those lips would taste. Would it be raw and vile like venom? Metallic like Blood? Sweet like honey? Fresh like mint?

He rose to his feet, stretching his hands forward. I took his hand in mine as different thoughts swirled through my mind, “Where are we going?” I asked, he gave no response, and just kept walking till we reached a part of the club we were prohibited from entering. 

Now I know why. 

It was the Devil’s nest.

He input a passcode and the door opened. Once inside, my eyes kept darting around. My thoughts kept crashing into one another like a wave. Maybe he changed his mind and has decided to kill me here? Maybe he was going to chop up my body parts and sell them?

My heart started racing again, and beads of sweat trickled from my armpits down my sides, even when the cooling system was on. 

Lucano’s voice cut through the fog in my head, sharp and dripping with authority.  “Sign it,” He handed me a brown file, earning a confused glare from me. 

When I opened it, words in big bold letters stared back at me. CONTRACT MARRIAGE AGREEMENT.

I gulped down the stale liquid that had formed in my throat. 

This was it.

The last nail on the lid of my coffin. 

I was supposed to be happy. Relieved. But the feeling of dread gnawed at me, and I couldn't help but feel that I was signing my death warrant.

His eyes sparked as he watched my inner turmoil.

“Five years of staying married, and after that, I can go my own way? With compensation of one million dollars?” I read. 

“Yes. Any problem with that?” He frowned as though irritated.

I didn’t respond and continued reading. “If I initiate a divorce or I’m found with another man, I pay a fine of ten million dollars?” 

His frown deepened, “I would rather chop that man's hands off while you watch, but my lawyer had a better idea," His face darkened, suspicion flashing in his eyes. “Do you have a problem with staying loyal, little bride?”

I swallowed, my mind going back to Nathan. What we shared was real, but I had my priorities, and he wasn’t top of the list. “No,” I whispered. 

Cause for my mum and sister? I’ll be loyal like a fucking dog. 

With trembling hands, I scribbled my signature on the paper.

“Done.” I sighed, handing the paper back to him.

A ghost of a smirk formed on his lips, causing a crack in his unreadable expression, and I could see that there was more to this than he was letting on. 

He grabbed the paper, assessing it, as though studying the strokes of my signature. “Perfect.” He muttered. His voice was deep, causing me to choke on my own emotions

I stood there watching his perfectly crafted frame hugging his suits in all the right places. His chiseled jawline,  one I’d only seen on models. That half smile that barely reached his eyes made him ten times hotter. 

I wasn’t sure if I was terrified or just high on adrenaline. But there was something certainly off, judging by the fact that he just watched me murder someone in cold blood and yet went ahead to marry me. 

That begged the question. Were there any more hidden intentions behind this marriage? 

His deep voice cut through the brewing tornado in my head. “Our flight leaves in thirty minutes.” 

The word ‘flight’ felt like a punch to my gut, and it left me breathless. 

“Flight?” I repeated, tasting the word on my tongue; it was strange.

“Yes.” His brows furrowed, “To Italy. For our wedding and honeymoon.” 

“Wedding? In Italy?” A tear slid down my cheek, “I can't leave my mum and sister. “I won't,” I added, trying to sound confident.

He cocked his head, brushing a tear from my cheek. “I hate to see you cry.” His voice was soft, engulfing me like a warm blanket. His touch was gentle. Too gentle for a man as notorious as he. 

I froze in place, rethinking if I made the right decision.

He noticed my sullen expression. “Fine,” he finally caved in. “Our wedding will take place here in New York, three days from now. The honeymoon will still happen in Italy, it's crucial. Your mum and sister will be taken care of while we are gone. I will let you see them one last time. That's the least I can do for you.” His voice dropped to a deadly whisper, “Need I remind you what happens if you fail to comply?” 

Dread washed over me as I responded, “I rot in jail.” That’s exactly what happens.

Satisfied, he smirked, “Time is of the essence, little bride, after you.” He muttered, stretching out his hands as he led me out the door.