Chapter 1
MADALINA
PRESENT DAY
“ T his is fucking ridiculous.” Nic fumes as he paces my bedroom floor.
“As ridiculous as it is, it’s happening.” I shrug my shoulders and stare at my reflection. The makeup artist and hairdresser have just left, and I have to admit they’ve done a good job. I look pretty and pristine, exactly how you’d expect the heir to the most powerful crime empire on the East Coast’s bride to look.
Today I will marry Dario DeMarco, a man I haven’t seen since the day he came with his father to our house, two years ago. A man who clearly detests me, and a man I know is very dangerous. I’m trying my best to be brave for my parents and my brother, but on the inside, I’m a wreck.
It’s only been two months since my father announced that I was to become Dario’s wife, and during that time my fiancé has made no effort to meet with me. He made it clear that he felt as enthusiastic about this arrangement as I did when he sent me my engagement ring by courier, along with the contact details for our wedding organizer. I don’t know how it came to this, but I do know that I’m just as powerless to stop it as Nic is.
“Madalina, do you have any idea how ruthless this man is?” My brother kneels in front of me, clutching my hands and doing nothing to spare me from his concern. “Dario is more than just his father's protégé, the things he does, he does with a sick pleasure. He has no tolerance, and you… you’re spirited Madalina. He won’t stand for it.” I don’t know why Nic is trying to put the fear of God into me, but I must stay strong, and appear unnerved. It’s the only way I stand a chance of surviving what comes next.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I roll my eyes sarcastically, trying to maintain a brave face. I’ve heard enough things about Dario to know that my marriage will not be a happy one. The daughters of faction leaders like to gossip as much as their mothers do when we are forced to get together. Dario has been a hot topic for the past eighteen months. Apparently, he treats women like worthless whores. He kills men without a scratch on his conscience, and that’s without mentioning how rude and obnoxious he is. My stomach is in knots and my head is screaming at me to run. But nothing will change my fate, the deal between Dario’s father and mine has already been done and I only have a few precious hours of freedom left.
“I’ve tried all I can to stop this, but Dad is blindsided by the power that’s been offered. If I didn’t know better I’d say he paid Stefano’s daughter to call things off with Dario, himself.” My brother does another good job of making me feel like shit, reminding me that I’m not only marrying a man I will never love but also, that I’m a last-minute replacement for the girl he was supposed to marry.
Stefano’s daughter and Dario had been engaged for more than a year, she was the girl supposed to be wearing this dress today. They were going to be the new power couple of the underworld and she broke his heart when she called off the wedding three months ago. There were of course consequences to her actions, her family lost their power over a very profitable district. A district that my father will take control of, once today is over.
“I’ve accepted this, Nic, so must you.” I squeeze his hands, keeping my tears from falling and the anger in my heart contained. “This is good for the family, you and Dad try to hide it, but I know you’ve been struggling to keep this district controlled. For years you have done what’s needed for us. Now it’s my turn.” A knock at the door interrupts us, and Nic rises back onto his feet. The disappointment on his face tells me that nothing that I say to him will stop him from feeling like he’s failed me.
Serena pokes her head around the door and smiles warmly at us both. “Am I interrupting something?” she checks.
“No, nothing at all.” Nic places a tight-lipped kiss on my cheek, then nodding his head politely at Serena he passes her and sees himself out. She waits for him to leave and close the door before she takes a step back and admires how I look.
“You are a beautiful bride, Madalina.” Her pretty, blue eyes fill with tears and I can’t make out if they are from pride or sadness. I glance down at the lace gown that took three dress fittings to shape so perfectly and I try my best to smile. It must have cost a fortune. Everything about this wedding is over the top and elaborate. I guess it’s the perfect opportunity for the DeMarcos to remind everyone of their wealth and power.
“Here, sit with me.” Serena takes a seat on my bed tapping the spot beside her and suddenly looking awkward. The dress suit she’s wearing matches the colors of the bridesmaids, all of who I’m yet to meet. I was permitted to invite a few friends of my own but I chose not to. I would never want any of them to see me like this. Weak and obedient, heeling like a dog to Thadeo DeMarco’s stupid fucking orders.
“I know this is a conversation you should have been having with your mother. And I feel as sad as I am privileged, that I’ll be doing it in her place.” Serena takes my hand in hers as my eyes drift to the picture I have beside my bed of my mother. She’s holding me in her arms, just after I was born, and looks so radiant and adoring as she stares down at me.
“I know you’re scared. Even if you do insist on acting as if you're not. And I want you to know that I understand. I have been in your shoes, Madalina. Just like you, I was told who I would marry.” I frown in confusion while I take in what she’s telling me. “I came into this home knowing I would never replace the wife your father lost. I was scared and angry at the world. I never envisioned that I would ever be able to fall in love with your father, but I did, and at the same time I fell in love with you and your brother too.”
Her smile is genuine and puts a little comfort in my chest. I don’t remember anything about when Serena first came into our lives. I was far too young. But I had no idea that it wasn’t through choice. The way I’ve seen her with my father over the years would never have made me suspect that they’d been forced together in the same way Dario and I have been.
“What I’m trying to tell you, Madalina, is that you shouldn’t go into this without hope. Maybe you can turn this arrangement into something beautiful. Like I did.” The sadness in her eyes doesn't match the optimism in her words. She knows herself that DeMarco men are incapable of love. They didn’t get to where they were by caring or showing affection. I don’t know yet what my role will be as Dario’s wife, but I’m certain that I will not be loved. He will be far too focused on preparing to take over his father’s empire for trivial things like that .
“Will tonight be your first ti–”
“Yes.” I cut her off before she can finish. I can’t bear to think about the fact Dario will not only be my first but undoubtedly my last. It puts a bitter taste in my mouth. Growing up, I was delusional enough to believe that, one day, I would meet a man and marry for love. That the man who I experienced all my firsts with would appreciate them and make them special for me. Today I’m being robbed of that, as well as my freedom.
“My advice is to be compliant. Act as though you enjoy it even if you don’t, it will always finish faster.” Serena clears her throat and blushes. “And let us both pray that he will be kind to you.” She stands on her feet and places a kiss on my cheek before she heads for the door.
“Why is life so cruel?” I let the word tumble out of my lips before she can leave. All the tears I’m holding back are threatening to ruin the makeup artist's hard work.
“Life is what you make of it, Madalina.” She offers me a hopeful smile before she leaves.
It’s just me and my father in the back of the car that takes us to the church, and I can sense that he has much to say to me as we get closer. Still, his lips remain closed and his body rigid.
“The weather is nice.” I make polite conversation with him when the silence between us becomes unbearable.
“Yes, a beautiful day for it,” he agrees, keeping his eyes on the footwell.
“Do you thin–”
“I’m sorry.” He interrupts me with two simple words that I never expected him to say, and when I turn my head and see the hurt on his face, I have to quickly look away again. “I hope you understand. I hope you know how much I love you.” I can hear the pain in his voice, and as much as I want to question him, or yell, or beg for him to make all this stop, I know it would be hopeless. Instead, I think about my brother and what he’s had to endure because he was born a boy. Nicolas has been shot at, he’s been beaten. He’s put his life on the line for this family, and my father does the same. We all have our sacrifices to make. This is mine.
“I understand,” I tell him, looking out the window as we pass through the streets of New York.
“I had no choice in this, Madalina, and yes, I stand to gain from it, but once DeMarco made up his mind over who would replace the Fabriano girl, my hands were tied.”
“Why me? His son doesn’t even like me. We will hate each other.” I clutch the pretty bouquet I’m holding in my hands and do all I can to hold in my tears.
“You are young, you are pretty, and you will make fine heirs.” Just the thought of that makes me shudder. “Add to that the fact that Thadeo knows how eager I am to please him, it makes sense. I’ve proven myself to him by keeping my district controlled, despite all its challenges. I had no idea that in doing so I would be costing you this.” When I open my eyes and see his head hanging in shame, I force away all my hatred and slide my fingers between his.
“I’ll be okay. I’m made of strong stuff.” I manage a smile for him because I may be going into this a little scared, but I’m not going into it blind. And knowing that Dario DeMarco will be hating this just as much as I am, almost makes it sufferable.