EIGHT_THE RUNAWAY BRIDE
The grand ballroom of the Deluca estate was filled with powerful people.
Men in expensive suits. Business partners. Mafia allies.
All of them had gathered for one reason.
The wedding of Alexander Deluca.
Alexander stood at the front of the hall, calm and unreadable in his black suit. His sharp grey eyes moved slowly across the room as he waited.
He hated delays.
This marriage was not about love.
It was about power.
An alliance between two families that ruled the city's underground.
But something felt wrong.
The bride was late.
Alexander glanced at his watch, his expression hardening slightly.
His right-hand man leaned closer.
"Boss… the bride's family is asking to speak with you."
Alexander didn't respond immediately. He simply turned and walked toward the private room behind the hall.
When he stepped inside, the tension in the room was obvious.
The bride's parents stood together, looking pale and nervous.
And beside them stood someone Alexander already recognized.
Aiden.
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had met Aiden several times during business dinners between the families. The younger man had always been quiet but sharp-tongued when necessary.
Not someone who scared easily.
Alexander closed the door behind him.
"Where is your daughter?" he asked calmly.
The bride's mother looked like she was about to faint.
"She… she's gone."
The room went silent.
Alexander's gaze darkened.
"Explain."
The bride's father wiped sweat from his forehead.
"She ran away this morning."
Alexander said nothing.
He simply looked at them.
The silence in the room became heavy, almost suffocating.
Then his eyes slowly moved to Aiden.
Aiden shifted slightly but didn't look away.
Alexander remembered that look.
Stubborn.
Defiant.
Interesting.
"This wedding," Alexander said coldly, "was arranged months ago."
"We know," the father replied quickly. "And the alliance between our families cannot fail."
Aiden felt a bad feeling in his stomach.
He already knew what his parents were planning.
And he hated it.
The father finally said the words.
"Our daughter may be gone… but the marriage can still happen."
Alexander's gaze sharpened.
"How?"
The man gestured toward his son.
"Aiden will take her place."
The words hung in the air.
Aiden clenched his jaw.
Alexander slowly walked toward him, his expression impossible to read.
When he stopped in front of Aiden, he studied him carefully.
"You expect me," Alexander said quietly, "to marry your son?"
Aiden crossed his arms.
"Don't look so shocked," he muttered. "I'm not exactly thrilled either."
For a moment, Alexander simply stared at him.
Then the corner of his mouth moved slightly.
Not quite a smile.
But close.
"Interesting," Alexander said softly.
It seemed his wedding day had just become far more entertaining.