Semua Bab possess me: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Vito's POVI could practically hear her heart hammering from here, could sense the way her breath caught in her throat as the full scope of her situation crashed down on her.How absolutely delicious.I leaned back in my wheelchair, savoring the moment. Twenty minutes of listening to this woman describe me as a violent, unhinged monster, and now I discover she's my intended bride. The universe, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor.Here was Isabella Cohen—the woman my grandfather had chosen to bear my children, to carry on the Romano bloodline—and she'd just spent the better part of an hour explaining to a stranger why marrying me would be a death sentence.What a charming way to meet one's future wife.Emily was looking between us with growing concern, her protective instincts clearly warring with her loyalty to me. I could see her calculating, trying to figure out how to defuse a situation that was rapidly spiraling toward dangerous territory.But I wasn't interested in defusing

Sophia's POVThe relief that flooded through me at Vito's words was so overwhelming I nearly collapsed back into my chair. He wasn't going to force me into marriage. He was actually going to let me go."Thank you," I breathed, my voice shaking with gratitude. "Mr. Romano, I... I can't even begin to express how much this means to me. You're being incredibly kind, incredibly understanding about this whole situation."The words tumbled out of me in a rush, my relief making me almost giddy. "I know this must be inconvenient for you, having to change plans that were already arranged. But you're showing such grace, such consideration for my feelings. I've clearly misjudged you completely, and I'm so sorry for that."I found myself leaning forward slightly, drawn in despite my earlier terror. "You're nothing like what people say. Nothing like the stories I've heard. You're actually... you're actually quite gentle, aren't you?"A soft smile played at the corners of his mouth, barely visible b

Sophia's POV"You'll go to him willingly.""I will never—""You will. Because you have no other choice, and because deep down, you know it's what's best for this family."The casual certainty in his voice made me want to scream. How could he sit there so calmly, discussing my future like I was a piece of property to be traded?"What's best for this family?" I laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. "You mean what's best for you. What's convenient for you. I don't matter, Alfonso doesn't matter—we're just chess pieces you move around to solve your financial problems."My father's expression hardened. "Alfonso matters very much. Which is why you're going to do what's necessary to ensure he gets the care he needs.""By sacrificing myself to a man who manipulated me? Who played games with my emotions just to see how I'd react?""By marrying a man who can protect this family and secure our future." He stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. "Vito Romano is powerful, wealthy, and capab

Sophia's POVThe elevator carried me higher and higher into the gleaming tower of Romano Industries, each floor that passed marking another step deeper into enemy territory. Through the glass walls, I caught glimpses of busy offices filled with people in expensive suits conducting what appeared to be perfectly legitimate business. But I knew better. This wasn't just a real estate empire—it was the public face of one of New York's most powerful crime families.Everything about this building, this world, screamed wealth and power and sophistication—everything Isabella was and I wasn't.What if Vito asked me about things Isabella would know? What if he mentioned people from her social circle, places she'd been, conversations she'd had? I knew the basic facts of my sister's life, but not the intimate details that would convince someone she was supposed to marry.I tried to channel Isabella's confidence, the way she held her shoulders back.The receptionist who'd taken my call had been sur

Sophia's POVThe words hit me like ice water, so shocking and crude that for a moment I couldn't process what he'd actually said. My mind reeled, trying to make sense of the impossible demand he'd just made.He wants me to... what?"I... I don't understand," I stammered, though even as the words left my mouth, I knew I understood perfectly. The crude, explicit challenge he'd just issued was crystal clear, no matter how much I wanted to pretend otherwise.Vito's expression didn't change, "I think you understand exactly what I'm asking for, little one."Heat flooded my cheeks as the full scope of his demand sank in. He wanted me to... to seduce him. Here. In his office. Like some kind of prostitute performing for a client.This is insane, my mind screamed. This is absolutely insane.I'd never done anything like this before. Never tried to deliberately arouse a man, never played the seductress, never even known where to begin with such a thing. Michael and I had been together for two yea