The Merciless Don’s Bride

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

DAMIEN

Anyone who says they don’t feel fear is a liar. Fear is what makes us human. And in my world, holding onto even a shred of that humanity is the only thing that keeps the monster from taking over.

Not that it makes a difference. They already call me a monster. Maybe that’s for the best. Let them tremble when I enter the room—better that than get close enough to see I have a heart that bleeds just like everyone else. It still beats. But it’s colder. Darker than most. Merciless.

I’ve killed men in their prime, bare-handed.

Not in desperation. Not as a last resort. But as a message.

I don’t wait for weakness. I walk into their castles, take their crowns, and make their kingdoms mine.

That’s the kind of power I carry. And everyone knows it. Their fear is my currency. My armor. My edge. It keeps my enemies silent, my allies loyal, and the truth buried deep beneath the weight of my name.

My father taught me young: be the fear. I didn’t just learn it. I became it. Fear became my armor. My weapon. And eventually…my crown.

“Boss,” I hear faintly, the voice barely reaching me.

I hold a finger up, wordlessly ordering silence. Minutes tick by before the hourglass stops. Before the hour ends and the sand flows to the bottom.

And then I finally lift my eyes. Luca stands in the doorway of the office, his expression blank, rigid.

His body is poised as if expecting a fight but when is he ever not?

I’ve known the six-foot-three bald enforcer for almost three decades, and he’s been the same all those years. Unflinching, calm, loyal.

“He’s in the room.”

I nod once, rising to my feet. I redo the button of my suit, ensuring my appearance is perfectly crisp and dignified. Before I step out of the office, I turn over the hourglass on the desk, resetting and starting it over once again.

It’s a compulsive act. Almost like I’m telling myself that I’ll never run out of time. That I’ll never lose. Although some days, the world falls to a standstill and I wonder when all the time went away from me.

“The ‘room’ isn’t really a room. It’s a tomb.

A place where hope comes to die. It’s a place where people go bump in the night.

Most of the people who walk in here don’t walk out.

And not necessarily because they die. Maybe they’ve lost a leg that prevents them from walking or they’re brain-dead and incapable.

Either way, horrors go down within the four walls of a place that looks nothing like a torture chamber.

It used to be my childhood bedroom in fact. As soon as my father died and I attained the title of Don, I made some renovations. Although there’s no denying the morbidity in turning the place I grew up in into a home of horrors.

Luca opens the brown oak door granting me entrance.

My men stand behind the person strapped to the chair, bloodied and beaten.

They all stand at attention as I walk in but I barely glance at them.

My uncle blinks his swollen brown eyes lifting his head to look at me as I make my entrance into the room.

He wears a proud smile despite his circumstances.

An unfortunate side effect of being born a Luciano.

“ Zio ,” I say, my voice almost fond. I’ve known the man all my life. He even bears a striking resemblance to my late father. But my father had honor, uncle Antonio has no such inclinations. “You look well.”

He’s an old man in his sixties but he aged well, thanks to stellar genes in my opinion.

Antonio snarls, “How dare you do this to me, diavolo ?! I was there the day you were born, held your vulnerable form in my hands and I chose to spare you. I could have murdered you that day, killed your father as well to solidify my position as heir. But I let you keep breathing. I supported your father as well through his rein. And this is the thanks I get?”

I shake my head amused, “Do you even hear yourself? You’re admitting to harboring thoughts of killing a newborn? Just how low do your morals sink?”

“At least I’m not a hypocrite. Pretending to be moral and righteous when you’re the furthest thing from it.”

“I never pretended, zio . That morality and righteousness you’re so quick to turn your nose might very well save your life today. I would like not to have to kill my uncle so try to help me out here. Now, shall we begin?”

I step backward towards the chair placed in the center of the room. The room is silent as I take my seat, directly facing my uncle.

“Antonio Luciano,” I start. “You stand accused of betraying your family and selling our secrets to the cartels in order to undermine us. How do you plead?”

His reply is a glare, but his mouth remains shut. I roll my eyes.

“Really, zio . I’m giving you a chance to save your life here. The loss of a limb or two or the outright loss of your life, choose wisely.”

“I will not give a bastard the pleasure of judging me,” he spits in Italian.

His words have the intended effect. My men stir and my hands curl into fists. Luca takes a step towards him from behind me but I raise my hand to stop all movement. I lean forward, making sure to look my uncle in the eye.

“Careful how you speak to me in front of my men, zio .”

He laughs, “Your obscure parentage remains your biggest weakness, Damien. It’s the reason I sought to remove you as well. Because despite all that you’ve done, you’ll never be a Luciano.”

My eyes narrow, “So you admit to seeking my removal. You actively worked against the head of this family? Your Don.”

“You are not my Don!” he bursts out, fighting against his restraints. “You’re nothing, Damien.”

I lean back in my seat with a small smirk, “On the contrary, Antonio. I am everything. I control everything. Including your life at this very moment. I won’t take your life though.

All you have to do is beg for it and swear fealty to me, zio .

Like I said, familicide is not in any way appealing to me. ”

“But matricide is,” he states. “I’m supposed to believe you would show me mercy when you didn’t show the same to the woman who birthed you?!”

“You’re just full of vile accusations tonight, uncle. Aren’t you?” I question with a raised eyebrow, pretending like his words don’t bother me.

Truthfully they do and his death just became inevitable. Nothing under the sun will save him now. But I can always take his punishment a step further. He’s testing me, pushing me to actions I would rather not indulge in.

“Kill me and be done with it, Damien. I have nothing more to say to you,” he says, his nose turned up in disgust.

“Now where’s the fun in that?” I question, my lips turning up in a smile. “Since you saw it fit to run your mouth, zio , I’ll make sure to carve it off first and then maybe I’ll practice some other surgical skills on you. You remember I always wanted to go to medical school.”

He doesn’t flinch at my threats. But I know exactly what to say in order to get to him.

“And when I’m done with you, my dear cousin, Gian will be next. Don’t worry, zio. I’ll make sure he follows swiftly behind you in death,” I promise.

Antonio’s eyes grow wild.

“Don’t you dare lay a hand on my son! Gian is innocent! I was the only one involved in the plot. If you touch him, I’ll-”

“You’ll do nothing!” I snap. “Because you’ll be dead.”

He exhales a harsh breath and I don’t miss the way the tremble that goes through him.

“You don’t go after families, Damien. It’s your rule. Only the sinner deserves to die,” he reminds me.

“Sinners. Plural,” I correct. “Gian’s as much a sinner as you, uncle. I know he was involved in the plot as well. But don’t worry, I won’t touch your daughter or your wife. I’ll protect them in your death. After all, they’re my family as well.”

“No!” he says shaking his head, terror in his eyes. “Spare my son. Damien, please!”

“I tried to show mercy, zio . You yourself called me diavolo . The devil doesn’t show mercy to those that scorn him. You will die. And Gian will too,” I pronounce before my gaze lifts to the men standing behind him. “Gag him.”

My uncle starts frothing at the mouth trying to fight against his restraints.

He makes asinine promises of retribution in Italian that I don’t much care for.

The room falls silent once he’s gagged. I rise to my feet, taking off my suit jacket which Luca swiftly collects and places on the desk beside me.

I walk up to the various equipment spread out on the desk. Torture devices. A knife with a shiny brass handle looks especially appealing. I pick it up after rolling the sleeves of my shirt to my elbows.

I turn back to my uncle who is still fighting against his restraints. The terror in his expression clear as day. What’s amusing to me is that he’s barely scared for his own life. He’s scared for his son, Gian and what he’ll have to suffer once he’s gone.

He doesn’t have to worry. Gian will get a quick death. My cousin and I never really got along but that doesn’t warrant death. He was just unlucky to have been born to a man like Antonio. Weak with tall ambitions is a surefire way to end up dead. It’s a miracle my uncle lived this long.

“Luca, place him on the table,” I order. “Let’s begin.”

Soon enough, screams of suffering and agony fill the room.

And yet I don’t stop. I feed on the fear that could have very well been mine had I not been in this position.

Had I not fought to be here. is filled with wolves willing to kill and murder anyone to get to the top.

To achieve heights that they could only dream of.

Unfortunately for them all, it doesn’t matter how many obstacles they throw at me. I’m ready to destroy anything and anyone in my path.

When I return to my office, time has run out. Whatever satisfaction or high I got from murdering those who tried to stand against me is gone. I practically fall into my seat, feeling empty.