• 43
The house felt the same when I walked in—quiet, sterile, too clean. Like no one really lived there, just passed through.
My mother glanced up from her phone when I stepped inside. "Where have you been?"
"With a friend," I said.
She nodded once. No questions. No concern.
My dad barely looked at me. "You staying long?"
"I just need to grab some things."
"Okay."
That was it.
No are you okay.
No we were worried.
Nothing.
My chest ached in that dull, familiar way as I walked down the hallway to my room. I packed slowly—clothes first, then more clothes. I didn't say the word moving out, but my hands already knew. I knew, I wanted to leave.
I realized something then, folding a sweater into my bag.
I'd been happier away from them. Way happier.
That thought scared me... and relieved me at the same time.
I grabbed my laptop, zipped my bag, and left without anyone noticing. The front door closed softly behind me.
No one stopped me. No one questioned me.
When the elevator doors opened at Nico's penthouse, voices spilled out.
Male. Loud. Angry.
I gulped.
"I'm not marrying anyone," Nico snapped.
A deeper voice answered—commanding, unfamiliar. "You don't get to decide that alone."
My stomach dropped. His voice carried so much authority it scared me.
I stayed where I was, half-hidden behind the elevator doors, my heart pounding so hard I thought it would give me away.
"The Greeks are asking questions," the man continued. "The Russians are watching. Even the Sicilians. You think they don't want their daughters married to a king?"
"I don't care what they want."
"You are a single Mafia King," his father said sharply. "That makes you a liability."
"I said no."
"Then I will choose for you. I am your father."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then Nico's voice, lower. Dangerous.
"I will marry Daria."
My breath left my body all at once. Why did that give me so many butterflies.
"What?" his father said.
"She's not ready," Nico continued. "And I won't force her. But she's the only woman I'll marry."
A pause. Heavy.
"She won't survive this life," his father said coldly.
"I'll protect her, but I won't trap her in it."
"Then you'll lose everything. Every single thing you've worked for. Are you sure your answer is still no? I'll choose the best woman for you, Nico. As long as you agree to my terms."
My vision blurred.
I stepped forward before I could think, walking into the office.
"No."
Both of them turned.
Nico's eyes found mine instantly—shock, fear, something raw flashing across his face.
"He's not marrying anyone else," I said, my voice shaking but clear.
The room went silent. I felt brave enough to do it, so I did.
I swallowed.
"Because I will."
Nico took a step toward me. "Daria—"
"Yes," I said, cutting him off, my heart pounding out of my chest. "I'll marry you, Nico."
His father stared at me like I was something unexpected. Something dangerous.
"You choose this man," he said slowly, "you choose his world."
I didn't look away.
"I choose him. Fully."
Nico reached me then, his hands warm, grounding, his voice low and urgent. "You don't understand what you're saying."
"I do," I whispered. "I've never been more sure of anything."
His breath shook as he pulled me into his chest.
The silence that followed felt louder than the argument ever had.
Nico turned toward me slowly, like his body hadn't caught up to what had just happened. His hands dragged through his hair, once, twice, his chest rising and falling like he couldn't get enough air.
"Daria," he said, stunned. "We just... we just promised him a marriage."
He started pacing without realizing it, my hands twisted together, my heart still racing.
"I know," I said quickly. "I know that was crazy. I don't even know what came over me, Nico, I just—" I stopped in front of him. "I couldn't imagine him making you marry someone else."
His eyes softened instantly.
"I wouldn't," he said. "Not over my dead body." Then his voice lowered. "But you don't have to do this. Not because you think you'll lose me."
"I'm not," I said, shaking my head. "I'm doing this because I l—"
"I love you, Daria."
The words hit me so hard I forgot how to breathe.
He stopped, like he hadn't meant to say it out loud. Like it slipped out of him before he could stop it.
I stared at him, my chest aching.
"I was just going to say that," I whispered. "I love you, Nico."
Relief crossed his face, warm and real, and he let out a breath he'd been holding for far too long.
"I know," he said softly, stepping closer. "I just wanted to say it first. You deserve to hear it first."
Something inside me melted completely.
I smiled, my hands resting on his chest. "You say all the right things."
He chuckled quietly, forehead pressing against mine. "Only with you."
He kissed me then—slow, like he was anchoring himself to me. Like he was saying everything he couldn't put into words. His lips soft, his breath minty.
Then he pulled away, gently.
"You know being my wife means, if anyone touches you they die."
"Nico, you already act like that now..."
He chuckled slightly. He knew I was right.
When we both pulled back, his thumb brushed my cheek gently.
"Did you see your parents?" he asked.
I nodded once. "Yeah." Then shook my head. "I don't want to talk about them."
He didn't push. Just nodded, understanding instantly.
"Okay."
"Nico," I asked quietly. "What happened to Sean Doyle?"
He searched my face for a moment before answering.
"Enzo got him arrested," he said. "For a very long time. He used him as leverage to get back what the Russians owed us. Smartest thing he's done all year." A pause. Then, drier, "He's lucky he only got jail time. Enzo is the nicer brother."
I smiled faintly.
Not because Sean Doyle deserved mercy — he didn't.
But because some small, quiet part of me was relieved Nico hadn't killed him.
Relieved that the man I loved still chose restraint, even when he had every reason not to.
Sean no longer had power over my life.
He pulled me into his arms, holding me close, my cheek pressed against his chest. His heartbeat was steady now. Mine slowly followed.
I felt, calm, held.
And somehow, in the middle of promises, and a future neither of us planned, I knew.
I knew, I wasn't alone anymore.
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