Chapter 1 The Wedding

• SERAFINA’S POV
• A wedding day is supposed to be a woman’s happiest day, or so I've been told. But why does it feel like I'm getting ready for my funeral?
• “Hold still, Fina,” Diana, my childhood friend, muttered behind me, her fingers fussing with the final button on my wedding gown. “You’re jittery.”
• Today was supposed to be a day like every other, where I perform at the Metropolitan Opera, but instead I was being married off to the ruthless Russian mob boss Adriko Ivanov against my will.
• I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, staring at the woman before me. My makeup was flawless, my dark auburn curls were wrapped with a diamond tiara, and the wedding dress clung to my curvy frame.
• But this wasn't me but a lamb about to be slaughtered. My stomach rumbled as I felt a bout of nausea.
• Three days ago I had returned from my performance only for my father to shove a ring at me whilst informing me that I was to be a truce bride.
• “I still can’t believe your father’s making you do this, Cara,” Tessa said in a soft voice as she adjusted my veil. “Your mother’s only wish was that you be allowed to marry for love.”
• “Well, too bad I’ll never get the chance to marry for love.” My laugh came out dry and hollow.
• Tessa flinched, a look of sadness crossing her face.
• Tessa is our family maid; she has been with the family for as long as I remember, easily standing in as a maternal figure when we lost Mama and Lorenzo, my only brother, disappeared.
• Diana smiled sadly as she moved to stand behind me, handing me my bouquet.
• She meets my eyes in the mirror and gives me a reassuring smile. I manage a small smile back, feeling grateful for the gift of Diana’s friendship and support.
• “I feel sick,” I admitted softly, letting out a shaky breath.
• “You know I am always here if you need anything, right? We can even hatch out an escape plan.” She leaned in to whisper to me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
• I chuckled softly, appreciating her attempt at humor even though we both knew any move at escape was a wasted effort.
• My gaze drifted to the engagement ring that sat untouched in its velvet box. It was a beautifully shaped marquise design, but I hadn’t worn it; I had refused to. The moment I put it on, I’d stop being Serafina Vitale.
• I’d become his. Property of Adriko Ivanov.
• A sharp knock at the door interrupted my train of thought, and I looked at it through the mirror.
• Diana opens it to reveal my father as she and Tessa exit the room. He paused briefly at the doorway and regarded me with a look of pride.
• “Serafina. Sei bellissima, figlia” (you look beautiful, daughter).
• Stiffening at the statement, I looked away from him. I haven’t been able to look him in the eye since the night he delivered the news of my impending wedding.
• “Are you okay, Bellisima?” he asked.
• My lips press into a thin line as I glare at my father through the dressing mirror. What does he want me to say? Yes, Father, I am so excited that you agreed to marry me off to a mafia boss to save your life. Thank you very much.
• I rolled my eyes and swallowed back the icy retort on the tip of my tongue, choosing to ignore him.
• My father was the consigliere of the Camorra Mafia based in New York, a trusted advisor to the boss, feared not just for his sharp mind but for the influence he held over weapon shipments and underground gun trades. What he lacked in rank, he made up for in power.
• A few months ago, he had messed up a weapons shipment, which had led to the blowup of one of Adriko's warehouses in New York. That was the beginning of a war that had gone on for months.
• Both mafias had lost soldiers, and to end it, a truce was agreed upon.
• The price? Me.
• “Please don’t look so sad, Amore. Adriko will take care of you.”
• “You gave me away.” I finally spoke in a shaky voice. “Ignoring my dreams and ambitions.” My eyes gloss over as I wrap my fingers into fists in an attempt to keep the tears at bay.
• A look of sadness crossed his face, but as he attempted to speak, I cut him off.
• “Let’s just get this over with.”
• He nodded and stretched out his hand to me, which I took as we exited the room.
• ••••
• The soft strains of the wedding march drew me to the present as the guests turned their heads to stare at me in awe.
• The ceremony was being held in the grand Oheka Castle. Perfect location for a fairytale wedding, but it felt like my funeral.
• I clutch the calla lilies to my bosom as I take an unsteady step forward, my gaze drifting to Adriko, standing beneath a grand floral arch waiting for me.
• This was the man. My husband-to-be.
• He was intimidatingly tall, dressed in a well-tailored custom tuxedo that hugged his broad shoulders and taut biceps. Tattoos peeked out from the cuffs of his sleeves all the way up to the visible part of his neck.
• He watched me walk down the aisle, his piercing blue eyes as intense as those of a predator stalking its prey. His eyes are a cold, emotionless depth.
• I come to a halt in front of him, a shiver of awareness coursing through me. I shouldn't be attracted to the man I was being forced into a marriage with, but I couldn't help it.
• He was breathtakingly gorgeous. Easily one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen.
• The priest gives us a curt nod and begins speaking. “Dearly Beloved, we are here today to….”
• I tune out the voice of the priest, focusing my attention on Adriko, whose blue eyes pulled me in. I noticed the clenching of his jaw and wondered briefly what he might be thinking.
• The voice of the priest filters back into my ears. “Marriage is not merely a union of two people,” he commented in a steady and reverent voice. ”It is a binding declaration of love, trust, and shared purpose.”
• Trust and love. My throat tightened at the irony of those words. Adriko’s expression was closed off. I wondered what was going through his head.
• “Do you, Serafina Vitale, take this man, Adriko Ivanov, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”
• My heart rate picked up as I struggled to speak.
• “I…I-I” The word caught in my throat, barely audible.
• Adriko’s hand brushed against mine, a slight touch that jolted me to my core but succeeded in pulling me back to the moment. His eyes burned into mine, an unspoken command present in them.
• “I do,” I said, my voice trembling slightly but clear enough to carry.
• “Can we have the rings?” The priest asked.
• A man whom I had learned from my research the previous night was his second in command stepped out from beside Adriko and handed him a box.
• I took the ring from the priest and proceeded to slip the silver band onto Adriko’s ring finger.
• Adriko repeated the same vows, and as he looked down to slip the wedding band onto my ring finger, he noticed the absence of the engagement ring.
• The one my father had shoved at me three nights ago.
• His hold tightened on my fingers as he glared at me, a flicker of annoyance flashing in his eyes.
• “Where is your engagement ring?” he questioned sharply. His voice is deep and striking, his Russian accent impossible to hide.
• “I misplaced it,” I replied in a clipped tone.
• His brows furrowed as his jaws clenched in unmistakable signs of anger, but he masked it quickly, and his face returned to its initial aloof expression.
• “I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Ivanov. You may now kiss the bride.” The priest declared.
• My eyes darted quickly to Adriko’s in panic, wondering if he was going to kiss me.
• He leaned forward, maneuvering me expertly in a classic dip that, to onlookers, appeared like we were in a lip lock.
• He stared deeply into my eyes and smirked.
• “Mrs. Ivanova,” he murmured, his voice mocking, “were you expecting a kiss?”
• My eyes widened a fraction as the reality of being called Mrs. Ivanova registered within me, and I pushed against his chest, which made him straighten with a final cutting remark whispered into my ear.
• “Smile,” he teased. “The people are watching.”
• We turned and faced the guests as cheers and applause broke out across the fields.
• I fixed a tight smile on my face as guests began to troop forward, offering their congratulations.
• Diana and Tessa rushed towards me, taking turns to hug me and plant kisses on my cheeks.
• As we moved towards the entrance to the indoor reception, the sound of a clear feminine voice rang out from behind us.
• “Adrik!”
• I turned towards the source, my eyes landing on a strikingly beautiful woman making her way towards us.
• She was quite tall and moved gracefully, her brunette mane falling down her back in loose waves, and a sharp jawline that bore a striking resemblance to Adriko's framed her face.
• Her lips curved into a sly smile as she approached us, her emerald green dress shimmering with every step she took.
• “Irina,” Adriko exclaimed in surprise. “Didn't think you were going to make it.”
• “I was able to get a last-minute flight,” she explained while throwing her arms around him, pressing a kiss to each cheek before stepping back. “It's been too long, brother.
• Adriko's expression softened slightly, the first glimpse of warmth I have seen all day.
• He looked towards me, his hand tightening slightly on my waist. “Serafina, this is my sister Irina Ivanova.”
• Irina’s gaze swept over me, assessing me with interest. She extends a well-manicured hand, her smile polite. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Serafina. My brother has spoken very little about you.”
• “Likewise,” I replied, my tone guarded as I took her hand, taking note of her firm grip.
• “Excellent.” Her smile widened, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We would have to fix that as soon as possible. There’s so much I would love to learn about my sister-in-law.”
• Before I could respond, Adriko stiffened beside me, staring straight ahead at a man dressed in black standing near the entrance to the main doors.
• “What is he doing here?” he questioned in an icy tone of voice that sent shivers down my spine.