Chapter 5

• -Lexi
• One year later
• I stand there as they lower his casket down into the ground.
• I’m now officially a widow.
• But the marriage didn't give me any freedom. My papà had already traded me to someone else.
• Leo Guiseppi!
• He wasn't an old man like other potential husbands. But he was a pervert. Every time he came to deal with my father, he touched me inappropriately. Once he squeezed my ass. When I told my father, he passed the blame on me.
• I would better get married to an old man rather than marry that jerk!
• I walked out of the meeting and met the pair of familiar hooded eyes. Hades was standing next to his Mercedes, smoking absentmindedly. I walked over to question him with a huff,
• "Are you always stalking me, Hades?"
• I heard a lot about Hades when I moved to the Bento family. He made his name and empire alone. He’s terrifying to almost all that speak about him. People respect him. They listen to him. They bow down to him. And when they don’t, they end up six feet under like my husband. But not because they died of a disease or of old age.
• Because this man killed them. With his bare hands.
• And for an odd reason, I didn't feel scared around me. He brought me a strange peace.
• Hades chuckled, dropping the cigarette, "I told you. You belong to me. It's not stalking, Bella."
• I scoffed, pushing the matter further, "Then you must know that my second marriage is already fixed. You don't get a chance here."
• His aura changed instantly. He blew through his mouth heavily before caging me against the car. He asked in a threatening voice, "Name! Say the name, Bella."
• I wasn't supposed to share the name with anyone. But it was my wicked idea only if Hades could get rid of him for me. I blurted the name out, watching his eyes darken.
• "Leo. Leo Guiseppi... What? Are you going to end him?"
• He shut his eyes and grabbed my neck, "I am a dangerous man, Lexi. Don't push me or else I will kill you. just with these hands."
• I challenged him, his touch raising a sinful desire in my body.
• "But you won't kill me...You can't..."
• He gave up and pushed me into the car with a growl, "Get in the car or I will do something that you will regret."
• I knew that his doing something meant something else. It only pulled the desire stronger inside me. I loved the thrill in his voice so did he. I didn't argue anymore and sat back like a good girl.
• The following morning, I got a parcel without a name from a delivery boy. As I opened it carefully, a horrified scream left my lips. Leo Guiseppi's head was wrapped in the box, blood still oozing out of his throat.
• I didn't need to know who did this!
• I knew the name already!
• But the fact that the man was scarier than I imagined. One thing is for sure, I was grateful to Hades for killing this jerk. At least, I avoided a disastrous marriage with him. He would have ruined my body and soul completely.
• *****
• Days later, news had been circulating in the community that Hades was shot. He was wounded and injured badly. I wanted to see him but my father confined me in my room.
• Then last night, he came with the grand news that I was betrothed to someone already. This time, he gave me no name because last time I ruined the chance with Leo. Here I was getting ready again for my second marriage.
• For some reason, I wished that Hades would kidnap me from here. I missed the bad guy even though he scared the shit out of me after presenting me with the head of Leo. His darkness didn't scare me for no fucking reason.
• My sisters, Beth and Margery came inside to check on me. They were awed by my wedding look and teased me.
• "No wonder Hades is obsessed with you."
• I rolled my eyes and scoffed at them, "Don't mention him. I am getting married to someone that I don't even know. Maybe it was better to kill myself."
• Beth cheered, adjusting my veil, "Don't think so badly, Lex. At least, I can tell that the guy is dark and handsome. I peeped through the room a little. He isn't that old."
• I just shrugged at her words because my father was never going to choose someone suitable for me. He would always choose someone suitable for his business.
• I asked Mergary hesitantly, "Do you know anything about Hades? Is he... alive?"
• Mergary had been chased by the guy Hunters that we met a year ago. Hunters had confessed his love for her many times but Margery didn't believe in him. Men like Hunters would never settle with a woman. The same went for Hades. I heard that he had many girlfriends before but he never lasted with them long. So I didn't expect him to be serious about me.
• Margery shrugged before tugging my veil down, "I just heard that he had been taken overseas for treatment. It's a headache to talk with Hunters. He is always flirting. Okay girls. Now it's time to go."
• My sisters escorted me to the aisle. I felt numb and empty as if it was my funeral. The veil was so long that I could barely see the guests. My father took me to the stage and left me standing.
• The door cracked open again and I heard the sound of boots coming my way. I knew that it belonged to my future husband and immediately tensed me.
• I didn't even know the man and I had lost my desire to see him since we were already in this marriage.
• As the priest started the vow, I kept looking down until something caught my attention.
• His pinky!
• He was wearing the same pink ring of my mother that I lost during my first wedding!
• How did he get my ring?