2. Chapter One
Chapter One
Elise
Five Years Later
I feel at peace when I play. It is the one thing in my life that I have control over, playing music. I’ve learned to play several instruments over my lifetime, but there is something about the violin that gives me a feeling of peace like no other. My fingers move expertly over the strings, letting the melody wash over the room while simultaneously washing away the remnants of this hell that I am living in. Five years felt like such a long time, with so many milestones between then and now. But it has flown by in the blink of an eye with my wedding taking place in less than a week.
After five years, I still have not met the man I will soon marry. I was hoping that over time he would find a much more suitable candidate than me, but the stranger that he is, he is also attentive to my life. Unlike my father who has ignored my existence, Luca sends flowers every birthday, holiday, and recital. I sometimes wonder if he secretly attended, deciding never to reveal that he was there. It made me uneasy at the time, but I learned to channel that unease into happiness. It was my time to be my own woman and he respected that, even if he never met me for a different reason. But our engagement party is being held this weekend at my family home meaning that my time pretending he doesn’t exist has come to an end.
I had hoped Luca’s reputation would die down over the years, especially since he was aware of our union. But it only got worse somehow. He is a merciless man who rarely lets anyone live once they have crossed him. It is as my father said years ago, the target will soon move to his back. And by that time they hope he will have a family to carry on the Pasquino legacy. But in the meantime, he seems intent on establishing a reputation to scare anyone out of even attempting something so bold.
Instead of flipping the page of my sheet music, I allow myself to be carried by the melody. I’ve memorized this piece, as it is the sheet music for an upcoming audition. My eyes flutter closed and I continue to sway back and forth behind the music stand. A smile forms on my lips as I continue to play, my worries disappearing. I’m in a place no one can ever find and ruin. I am in a sanctuary. I finally finish the melody, pulling my violin away from my chin just as loud clapping erupts off the walls.
I whip in the direction of the applause to see none other than my future husband standing in the doorway. He’s dressed in a crisp, dark blue suit that fits his lean frame flatteringly. Handsome is an understatement, and I find myself growing irritated with the paparazzi photos of him that don’t do him justice. His dark hair is pushed neatly away from his face, curling at the ends with a few stray hairs tickling his forehead. His face is clean-shaven, giving me a stunning view of the sharp accent of his jaw as he smiles at me, revealing a perfect set of teeth. His eyes are so piercing, they look gray in the natural light as he looks down at me, his gaze roaming over me in interest.
His expression makes me want to squirm under the intensity of it. Although he’s smiling, something about him seems unnatural.
“So I finally get to meet my bride. You are stunning,” he says, emphasizing his claim by dragging his gaze over me.
A blush creeps up my neck from his words. Stunning is an exaggeration. At five foot four, I am no model. I’m short, with dark hair that falls to my waist in loose waves and my eyes are dark green with shades of brown in them. But the way this man looks at me, you would believe his words.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
He laughs softly as he steps around me, his attention falling to the sheet music. He gently touches the pages, flipping them himself. The way his eyes move over the page, I can’t help but wonder if he knows how to read music.
“That was a beautiful melody you were playing.” His fingers drift over the title, his brow furrowing as he takes in the title.
“I didn’t know you had a recital,” he says looking at me.
“It’s an audition,” I say quickly. He continues to study me, his eyes capturing me as he hides his thoughts behind them. His aura itself is suffocating, making me squeeze the neck of my violin just to ground myself.
“Beautiful, talented, and competitive,” he smiles.
I tense as he brings his finger under my chin, lifting my head slightly to hold my gaze. “How did I ever get so lucky?”
My heart beats rapidly against his chest as he stands over me. He doesn’t say a word and looks perfectly content as he remains silent in his studying. Luckily, we’re interrupted.
“Boss, it’s time.” A knock pulls our attention as a man I’ve never seen before enters the room. Luca only smiles, his eyes remaining lined to mine as he releases me.
“I guess I will see you tonight,” he says before adjusting the front of his suit. He silently leaves the room without another word, leaving me to contemplate the first meeting of my husband.
Music swells over the formal area, mingling with conversation signifying the engagement party is in full swing. My father was proud to host the powerful Pasquino family, sparing no expense for this elaborate party even though he hasn’t spoken a word to me about my engagement. I recognize some families that I know, while others I have never seen before. But everyone is clamoring to get a look at the soon-to-be bride of Luca Pasquino, along with Luca himself.
I silently adjust my dress in the mirror once again as I wait for Luca to arrive. I’ve had all day to think about our encounter. He wasn’t as terrifying as I thought he would be. He was even kind at moments, complimenting me. But still, the eerie look in his eyes is one that I do not want to understand. It felt like he was a predator, eyeing its prey and waiting for a moment of weakness to strike. I suck in a trembling breath as I adjust my curls once again, trying to avoid my eyes. Even with my makeup placed to make me look more mature than I am, my eyes hold terror in them. I must dig down deep to find a way to ignore that fear for tonight. I must convince everyone in that room that I am thrilled to have been chosen for this marriage.
I tense when someone steps into my reflection, his gray eyes twinkling in excitement as he looks down at me. Luca stands right behind me, his excitement increasing when I turn to face him. I was so focused on my fears I didn’t hear his approach.
“Hello,” he says with a voice like silk.
I don’t have time to respond as he reaches for my face, taking in my features with keen interest. His hand drifts from my cheeks to my jaw, to my collarbone before lingering at the hem of my dress, pulling me flush against him. A small whimper escapes my lips as I attempt to step back, but his grip is firm, shifting so that both of his hands grip my ass, holding me tight. He dips his head slightly, his lips lingering next to my ear as he speaks.
“I can’t wait to bury myself between your legs,” he murmurs.
A gasp leaves my lips just as he releases me, allowing me to stumble back. His smile looks sinister as he watches me. He’s enjoying toying with me. Luca steps to the side, holding his arm out for me as a charming smile replaces the terrifying one.
“Shall we?”
I pull in a trembling breath, placing my arm in the crook of his elbow, allowing him to lead me into the party.
The night drags on as people from all walks of life come up to us, expressing their congratulations. I recognize most as clients of my father and members of our organization. Luca’s family, however, seems to avoid my own as if we are beneath them. Despite his family’s disdain, Luca is the perfect gentleman. His smile never changes as he expresses his gratitude, his confidence intoxicating. I barely have to speak, only responding when spoken to.
Something that I am thankful for.
Everyone here knows this union is arranged. They know we feel nothing for each other and yet they all say the same things as if they read from a script before entering.
“Congratulations, you two will make a beautiful couple.”
But I see the way they look at Luca. They are cautious, hoping their words don’t offend the man who could end their lives if he wanted to. They want to make an impression on the man who will soon hold the world in the palm of his hand.
“Elise!” I look in the direction of my name to see my cousin and closest friend, Arianna approaching.
Her husband is on her arm, a warm smile on his lips as they both approach and I feel a sense of dread wash over me. She’s the one who comforted me all these years, attempting to reassure me that an arranged marriage won’t be a bad thing. But she’s one of the lucky ones. Her husband married into our family and he loves and adores her. She doesn’t know the downside of arrangements. She doesn’t know what it’s like to be at the mercy of powerful men.
“You look beautiful, Elise,” she says as she pulls me into an embrace.
I step back, murmuring my thanks as she and her husband repeat the words of everyone else tonight to Luca.
“This is my cousin, Arianna. We’ve been close as long as I can remember,” I say to Luca. His smile seems forced as he studies her, but he responds.
“Sorry for having to take your best friend away so suddenly,” he says. His voice is cold, his words seeming hollow as he speaks.
“It’s no problem at all. I’m sure we’ll be visiting each other a lot, won’t we?” she says looking at me.
“Yes, of course,” I say.
I shift my attention past Luca to the man who accompanied him earlier when he first arrived. He approaches us with a stoic expression, not bothering us as he begins whispering to his boss. Luca’s expression shifts, his body becoming rigid from whatever news his man is telling him.
“Excuse me,” he says slipping his arm out of mine. I watch as he walks toward the hall of the ballroom without looking back, his man in tow before turning back to Arianna. She’s watching me with a worried expression, pushing my hair out of my face.
“How are you feeling?” she asks.
I suck in a trembling breath, looking in the direction of my future husband.
“I’m scared, Ari,” I say.
“You’ll be fine, Elise. Once all of the excitement is over, he’ll be so busy with work, he won’t even have time for you,” she says.
I’m hoping what she says is true. In an ideal scenario, he would find another woman to keep his company and ignore me, as most men in our world do. Because I know the type of man he is. He owns things, and I am no different from another possession he wants to keep. I see it in the way he looks at me and in the way he speaks to me. He’s like a wild animal being held back from what it desires.
I look away from my cousin for a moment in search of champagne. I spot the crystal fountain made of champagne flutes across the room and when I turn back to Ari, I see her and her husband having a moment. She’s giggling at something he whispers in her ear. Their love is obvious in the way he holds her and the way she leans into him. And when she speaks to me, he continues to watch her in adoration. They make my heart ache. Part of me wishes Luca could be capable of such affection. But I don’t know what part of his life was uprooted for our arrangement, nor do I know how he truly feels about it.
“I’m going to get another drink,” I say, quickly walking away from my cousin. I don’t want to ruin their moment and I don’t want to witness it any longer. I need the liquid courage a glass of champagne will provide me before Luca returns with his ominous presence.
As I make my way to the table, I look in the direction of the hall Luca disappeared into. My eyes widen slightly when I see a blonde. She’s really pretty and her face looks determined as she attempts to enter the ballroom. Out of nowhere, Luca appears behind her, snatching her roughly by the arm, and both of them disappear around the corner.
I know I should leave it alone. My instincts are screaming at me to go about the party and leave Luca to whatever it is he’s doing. But part of me wants to know what’s happening, and why Luca looked so angry when grabbing that woman. I look around before making my way to the hallway, the music of the ballroom decreasing the further I get. I flinch as the silence is replaced by a whimper.
“You can’t just do this me—Ah!”
My footsteps falter as her voice is violently cut off, followed by Luca’s angry tone.
“I told you, we are finished. How dare you show your face here!” His voice is like venom, making my legs tremble from this distance. I don’t hear the woman making any more sounds, only the thick gurgle of her choking, and as I round the corner, I see why.
Luca has his hand around her throat as she watches him through tear-filled eyes. He doesn’t care though. He finally releases her, and she collapses beneath him, holding her throat as she coughs and gasps for air.
Horror hits me as Luca pulls out a gun, aiming it at the top of her unsuspecting head. Hatred is clear in his expression. He isn’t threatening her, he’s about to pull the trigger. My legs are moving before I can think of the consequences, my hands gripping his arm in panic.
“Luca, stop!” I shout.
Luca turns his emotionless expression in my direction, his features shifting to anger. He rips his arm from my grasp, thrusting his finger past my face as his true nature shines through.
“Elise, go back to the party.” His tone leaves no room for argument. But I know I couldn’t live with myself if I did that, leaving her at his mercy.
“I—” I’m immediately cut off as Luca glares at me.
He’s clearly a man who is never questioned. His irritation at my persistence, even if it is minuscule, is prominent. But I cannot hold his gaze for a moment longer. And my instincts won’t let me speak out either. So, I stand before him, lowering my eyes until I am staring at the ground, silently begging for his mercy.
After a moment, he releases a huff of irritation, putting his weapon away. He kneels so that he is at eye level with the woman. He grips her cheeks roughly, lifting her face to force her eyes to meet his.
“Come near me or my wife again, and I will kill you.” She cries out as he roughly shoves her away, standing to return to the party. He snatches me by the arm, pulling me up the hall and I struggle to keep up with him. I open my mouth to say something but I’m cut off as he throws me into the wall.
“Agh!” I cry out.
Luca is inches from my face, his whole body radiating the sadistic nature he’s so carefully hidden up until now. His eyes roam over my face, focusing on my lips as he speaks, his finger gently brushing against my jawbone.
“Interfere with my affairs again, and I will break your pretty little jaw. Understand?” His steel-colored gaze pins me to the spot as he awaits my response. I can’t form one. My words are stuck in my throat and he knows it. He smiles a chilling smile, welcoming a newfound fear of the man I’m set to marry. He then shifts slightly, holding his arm out for me.
“Shall we?”