All Chapters of THE MAFIA'S WRONG BRIDE : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

Aaliyah’s POVThe city comes alive as the plane taxis along the runway. It has been nine long years, but I still miss nothing about it. And I won't be here if it isn't so important.“You’ve arrived in John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York,” a hostess’ voice rings through the space. I blur out the rest of her speech that I have heard a million and one times about disembarking a plane.Because I have been on more flights than I can count in the last nine years. Just not one coming to New York.I still remember the look in her eyes shortly before I was whisked away in the private jet out of the city. The lifeless pools watched me, as if judging me for what I knew. For what I wasn’t saying.And now that I am back, I just hope I have enough strength in me to keep it hidden. With my suitcase in one hand and my phone pressed against my ear, I walk towards the arrival gate, hoping my father remembered I asked for a ride to come get me at the airport. One of the security men winks

Aaliyah’s POVThe music reaches its peak in the background, teasing every fabric of my being. It doesn’t help that the one person I hate the most in the entire world is right in front of me, his hands on my waist, and his fingers teasing the exposed skin under my hoodie. "What makes you think I am going to follow you onto the dance floor, Max?"His lips quiver in a smirk. “That wasn’t a request.”I wrap my hands around my frame, putting a small barrier between us. “I am not dancing with you, Max.”He pulls me impossibly closer to him, his hold on my waist tightening even further. “You might want to consider that, mafia princess. I don’t think your father is exactly pleased you are denying his in-law a dance.”I am about to scoff when my gaze lands on my father, who is now dancing with Iris. He shakes his head subtly, a stern expression on his face. One I know all too well.I have the liberty to refuse, but that only means I will have to be on the next flight back to Rome. I can’t go

Aaliyah’s POVI know I have to talk to Iris about it, as it is one thing to play this game with Max and another to actually have my sister agree to it.At the end of the day, it's her engagement, and if this plan fails, his home is going to be hers. There's little influence I can make if she doesn't consent to it in the first place.Wheeling my suitcase back into the estate, I make my way upstairs, returning to the hallway I used to play in years ago.The rug has been replaced by marble, and the covering on the wall is now a pristine white. I remember our mother yelling at us to stop running in the hallway when we were still younger. Her voice would travel through the walls, echoing until it reached us. It used to make me laugh, how it sounded like she was in the bathroom screaming for us to hand her her towel. Those were the days I thought I’d have her protection forever. Daddy never paid me any mind when I went playing soccer with the boys in my school, or when I refused to wear f