CHAPTER 1

The scent of my cigarette fills the air, as it is the only thing I allow myself to enjoy. Across the desk, the contract sits there.

Across the table sat Valerius Volkov and his right-hand man, his eyes darting around the room. They are nothing more than insects, a nuisance that has to be dealt with to secure a larger objective. I would rather settle with a bullet than a signature, but I have to be rational.

"My daughter is agreeable to the terms," Valerius says, his voice a low rumble. He doesn't even have the decency to sound proud. "She is already looking forward to a life with a man of your stature."

I take a long drag from the cigarette, the bitter smoke filling my lungs. “My lawyers will review every clause before I sign anything. As for the wedding, a small ceremony with a few witnesses is all that is required.”

"And the reception will be a celebration for all of Moscow to see. The Petrov and Volkov families joined as one." Valerius adds, a thin smile on his lips.

"I don’t care for spectacles. Just give me a time and a place, and I will be there." My tone flat

Valerius’s smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Of course. Tonight, at my residence, we will have a formal dinner. A formality to introduce the families."

I have no expectations about the evening. They stand to leave, their faces etched with the satisfaction of a deal well done. I watch them go, feeling nothing.

A moment later, I pick up my phone on the desk and press the button for my lawyer. It rings twice before he answers, a slight hesitation in his voice.

“Don, I’m in the middle of—”

“You have thirty minutes,” I say, cutting him off without apology. “I have a contract to be signed. Be fast.” I hang up before he can respond.

I look at the contract once more, the words "Petrov" and "Volkov" a stark reminder of what this is all for. My parents are dead, taken from me in a brutal ambush by a rival mafia. I spent the following years hunting them down and killing until every last one of them was gone.

The underworld knows my reputation. They fear me and that is exactly how I like it. But even a Don must think about his legacy. My bloodline needs to continue, and the constant killing has to stop.

Nikolai enters without waiting for an invitation. My Consigliere, my right hand, and a friend. He sees the contract on the table.

"I thought for sure you'd die young. Not settling down with a wife." he says, shaking his head

I scoff, my voice low. "This is not settling down, Nikolai. It is a tactical alliance. A strategic merge. It's better than constant war."

"It’s better for business," he agrees.

"And it’s good for you”

He is right. My sense of honor demands that I fulfill my duty, even if it means marrying a stranger. I heard reports about Isabella Volkov: she is obedient, soft-spoken, and not a whore. I am a man of integrity and will not cheat.

Later that evening, after my lawyer meets with the Volkovs and I put my signature on the contract, Nikolai accompanies me as we make our way out of my company building to the Volkovs' penthouse. My workers step out of the way, my presence making them uncomfortable. They look at me with a mix of fear and respect, and I feel nothing but a cold satisfaction.

We reach over to where our cars are parked, I don't wait for Nikolai to open the door for me before I do that, we need to hurry and end this day, Nikolai makes his way to the driver seat and takes off.

After about 35mins filled with empty thoughts and silence we arrived at the Volkov's Estate. The place is looking rich.Guards are stationed out at every corner of the house, the beauty of the house is there but nothing I've never seen

We make our way to the doorstep and as we press the doorbell, the door opens, Valerius and Elara Volkov greet us with a chilling politeness. Isabella stands beside her father, in a soft blue dress. She is beautiful. Her dark hair cascades over her shoulders, and her eyes are wide and innocent. But as I take her hand and look at her, I feel nothing. No spark. No warmth. She is a perfect, beautiful stranger.

Elara, she had a practiced smile that holds nothing but disdain on it. I do not smile back at them.

“I hope you are hungry, I made a feast over there and Isabella helped in making the deserts” I look over and see Isabella already blushing

“ That is lovely Mrs Volkov, we are glad for the invitation” Nikolai the ever ready spokesman

“Oh call me Elara, don't make me feel old” she laughs but not a nice one, but something filled with bitterness.

I moved with Nikolai by my side to where the food was waiting for us. The house looks as rich as it does outside.

We sit down for dinner. I am positioned between Isabella and her mother, Elara, whose scrutinizing look makes me instantly dislike her. She is judging me. The conversation is filled with polite, empty questions.

“You have built quite the business, Vasily,” Valerius begins, a thin smile on his lips. “So young, and already so successful.”

I meet his gaze evenly, not responding to his words

He chuckles, the sound hollow. “We believe the Petrov and Volkov families will make for a formidable partnership. Isabella, tell Vasily about your hobbies.”

Isabella’s cheeks flush a soft pink. I watch the color spread across her face. It seems completely foreign to me.

“I… I enjoy drawing. And I like to read,” she says, her voice barely a whisper. She glances at me, and her eyes drop to her lap. I find myself wondering how she will survive in my world.

My mind turns her answers over. It is a simple, innocent pursuit. I am not a good man, and her sweetness only infuriates me. I don't know how this will work, but I will try my best.

Midway through the appetizer, a strong presence fills the room. The conversation dies, and every head turns toward the door.

“Forgive me, family, I was… detained.”

A figure walks in with an effortless confidence. His smile is easy and wide. He carries an aura of rebellion and playfulness that I instantly dislike.

“ Son, come have a seat… Vasily this Is Isabella twin brother, Adrian”

“Nice to meet the famous Don of the Russian Mafia.” The smirk he wore on his face is daring, I want to believe it is not mockery I hear in his tone.

I give him a nod, not responding to his words.

They are so different. His looks are nothing like Isabella, he has long black hair which he holds in a bun and his body is not as buffy or strong as mine, but he has good looks with his striking blue eyes and heart shaped lips.

He sits down, his movements are fast. I notice the way his eyes linger on me for a second too long. I meet his stare with my usual cold glance. I brush him off in my mind. He is just a kid. But my mind refuses to let go. I am annoyed at myself. Why am I focusing on the looks of a man? Why do I feel a heat in my stomach when I look at him? The anger I feel at my own thoughts is enough to make me stand.

"I have something important to attend to," I say, my voice low. I give Isabella a brief nod and turn to leave with Nikolai who looks confused for a second.

Adrian catches up to me before I can reach the door. His smile is gone, replaced with a serious, penetrating stare.

"You're marrying my sister," he says, his voice a low, firm command. "Treat her well."

I hold his gaze, my own eyes like ice. But the longer I look, the hotter I feel. It's an anger that has no source.

Nikolai steps in, a small smile on his face. “Don, we should be going ” He turns to Adrian, still smiling. “And you, Adrian, come over tonight for the party. It is the Don's bachelor party.”

Adrian's eyes widened."A bachelor party? I didn't know you had one."

"It's a surprise," Nikolai says, with a shrug.

I turn and walk away, ignoring Adrian's final stare. As we get into the car, I turn to Nikolai. "Explain yourself," I demand, my voice low and dangerous.

Nikolai just shakes his head, a genuine smile on his face. “We knew you wouldn't agree, so we made it a surprise. We knew we had to do something before you got married, and what's better than a surprise party?”

I huff, leaning back in my seat. The idea of a party makes me sick but I need to drown my thoughts in alcohol.

I shake my head, the chaos of the night already overwhelming me. I feel the car pull away from the Volkov's estate.