Bound To Be Yours

Chapter 1

My penthouse in Palermo was never home, just an escape.

A place to clear my head when the estate felt suffocating.

I leaned back in my chair, the whiskey glass dangling between my fingers.

My thoughts were still on the blonde who had been in my bed this morning, eager and forgettable.

The kind of women I liked, easy, uncomplicated and quick to vanish.

Nothing to anchor me, nothing to tie me down.

The private elevator chimed breaking my train of thought. I sighed, irritation bubbling up. The only people who had access to the elevator code other than me were my father and Gavino.

Gavino, I could deal with. He was a loyal friend and always knew when to give me space.

My father, however well that was a different story. He had never been here before, he would rather just call and expect me to show up. And because he was the don, I had to.

The door creaked open and I braced myself for Gavino's easy smile, maybe a sarcastic quip or two.

But instead Cancio stepped in, his sharp suit immaculate as always looking every inch the heir to the throne.

Behind him was my father, Stefano Moretti.

The mere presence of the man always made the room feel smaller, the air thicker.

I braced myself. It was rare for the two of them to come together like this. When they did, it was never good news.

"This looks serious" I muttered, swirling the whiskey. "What's now? Did Fabio crash another car?" I said trying a feeble attempt at humor.

Cancio didn't crack a smile, he never did but his eyes flicked to my father who was already making his way to the chair across from mine. I could feel the tension building but I refused to give into it. I took a slow sip of the whiskey, eyes never leaving my father as he sank into the chair.

Cancio leaned against the wall, arms crossed, observing me with a steady, calculating expression. It was clear that neither of them had came here for casual conversation. Neither of them looked happy but then again neither of them ever did.

"Well?" I said, "What now? You need me to take care of some business? Make sure a few shipments go smoothly or get a job done?"

Father didn't answer immediately. His gaze as always was serious almost like he was testing me. But I had been through enough with him to know that silence was never an accident. When he spoke, his voice was firm.

"We have made arrangements with the Rossi family" he began, his voice steady as ever. "Alessa Rossi will be your wife."

"Alessa Rossi?" I repeated, my voice coming out flat, disbelieving. The glass in my hand felt suddenly heavier.

Alessa Rossi. I had heard the name, of course. The Rossi family wasn't exactly unknown. But the idea of marriage....an arranged one at that hit me like a punch to the gut.

Cancio shifted from his spot, pushing off the wall with a quiet sigh. His expression was unreadable as always but his voice carried the same cold certainty that he always spoke with.

"It has already been decided, Luca. The alliance with the Rossi family is non-negotiable. This marriage secures our position." Cancio said.

I didn't look at him. I couldn't. I felt my chest tighten but I kept my voice calm even though every fiber of my being was screaming for me to push back.

"I don't see why I need to marry someone from the Rossi family, much less someone I don't even know."

Father leaned forward, his hands folding neatly on the table between us.

"This isn't about what you want, Luca. It's about what the family needs. What Sicily needs."

There it was. That familiar phrase. The family. The legacy. The Moretti name.

I clenched my jaw, but didn't respond immediately. My gaze shifted to Cancio then back to my father.

Father merely sat there, calm and unwavering. "This is bigger than you, Luca. It's bigger than any of us. This deal wasn't an easy one. I had to clear some people out of our way to get it."

His eyes then softened just the slightest, and for a moment, I saw the man who had raised me, the man who had shaped me.

"I know you don't like it but this is how things work. We do what is necessary to ensure we stay strong."

I took another sip of whiskey allowing the warmth to settle in my chest trying to calm the storm inside.

"I will do it" I muttered, my voice steady. "But don't think for a second that I'm going to suddenly play the obedient husband. I'm not some prince charming in this farce of a marriage."

Father finally let a small, grim smile tug at his lips. There was no humor in it, only a resigned understanding.

"If you are smart Luca, you will realize that you don't have to be a prince. Just play your part. It's not about love. It's about loyalty. You do this for the family and we all win."

Cancio's gaze remained cold, calculating. "It's a necessity, Luca. And you know better than anyone that there is no room for failure."

I stood abruptly, pushing my chair back. The movement was sharp, almost violent but I refused to let them see me falter.

"Fine" I spat. "I will marry her. But I'm not going to pretend this is anything more than what it is... Business."

Father stood too, his gaze locked onto mine with a mixture of approval and silent warning. "Good. I will leave the details to you and Cancio."

After they left, the weight of the decision settled in. It wasn't about me anymore. It was about power, control and loyalty. And if I had to marry Alessa Rossi to strengthen the future of the Moretti family, so be it.

But that didn't mean I had to like it.

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