Chapter 2
CRISTIAN
I stand outside Don Alessandro's office, curious as to why I’ve been summoned.
I secretly hope it’s to put an end to Maksim Vasiliev.
That mother fucker has wreaked havoc in the Dante family for too long, killing Don Lorenzo, kidnapping a child, and nearly killing Luca Dante. And now he has the gall to act like he’s been victimized?
The hallway is silent except for the occasional murmur of voices from behind the heavy door.
I roll my shoulders, trying to loosen the tension there. The emergency meeting with the Bratva earlier suggests something important is going on.
I knock twice and enter when I hear Don Alessandro’s “Come in.”
Alessandro stands by the window, looking irritated. But it's Valentina who draws my eye.
She’s seated in a leather chair.
Her raven hair cascades down her back, and those gray Dante eyes flash with a mixture of defiance and fear.
I force my gaze away, focusing on Alessandro.
Men who admire the Don's sister too openly don't tend to keep their eyes.
"Cristian." Alessandro acknowledges me with a nod. "Good. We have a situation that requires your particular skills."
Valentina makes a sound that’s something between a scoff and a laugh. "Tell him what you've arranged. Tell him how you've sold me to the monster."
“You agreed.”
She looks down, and for the first time ever, I see defeat in Valentina’s normally strong features.
My eyes cut to Alessandro, wondering what they’re talking about.
“Valentina is betrothed to Maksim Vasiliev.”
I search Alessandro’s face for some sign that this is a joke.
But the Don's expression remains hard.
"You're marrying her to Vasiliev?" I had to have heard that wrong.
"It's the most efficient solution to our current problem. Maksim wants assurance of our commitment to peace. This alliance through marriage will satisfy him."
I've heard stories about Maksim's treatment of women.
Stories that make even hardened soldiers like me sick to the stomach.
"Your role," Alessandro continues, "is to guard my sister during the preparations. You'll escort her to all meetings with Maksim and ensure her safety until the wedding."
Valentina's laugh is sharp. "My safety until I'm handed to a man who's rumored to have beaten his last wife to death." She stands, smoothing her dress with a calmness that surprises me.
"Valentina." Alessandro's warning tone doesn't faze her.
"No, it's fine. At least Cristian is competent." Her eyes meet mine for the first time. "If I'm to be sacrificed, I'd prefer not to be murdered before the actual ceremony."
This isn’t right.
Alessandro knows the type of man Maksim is.
I glance over at Adriano, who glares at Alessandro. “This is wrong, Brother, and you know it,” he says.
Alessandro’s jaw tightens. “She agreed. And you both know that this is necessary to stop this war. I’ll make sure your safety is insured.”
I can see that Alessandro believes what he’s saying, but I don't know how he can make those assurances.
Maksim has a reputation for violence and unpredictability.
There’s no doubt that Valentina’s life is at risk as his wife.
Inside, a primal need to protect Valentina grows. "When do we start?"
“Right away. Wherever she goes, you go. Tomorrow, you’ll escort her to meet Maksim for lunch to discuss wedding details.
" Alessandro tosses a folder onto the desk.
"Security protocols are in there. You'll take two men with you, more if you need them.
But you're personally responsible for her safety. "
I give a curt nod, keeping my face impassive even though deep down, anger builds.
This is wrong.
Every instinct screams it.
"Understood, Don Dante."
Valentina moves toward the door, pausing beside me.
She's close enough that I catch the scent of her perfume, something delicate and floral that seems at odds with her fierce spirit.
"Let's hope your skills are as good as my brother believes," she murmurs.
“I’ll protect you with my life, Ms. Dante.” And I mean it. I glance at her brothers, wondering why they’ve agreed to this marriage.
The door clicks shut behind Valentina, and I remain standing at attention for several moments, waiting until Alessandro dismisses me with a curt nod.
I retreat from the office.
In the hallway, I let out a breath.
This is totally fucked.
Valentina Dante is a dead woman walking.
Or maybe Alessandro is right in that Maksim won’t dare kill her.
But he’ll hurt her.
He’ll do his damnedest to break her.
And knowing her, she’ll fight it, which Maksim will relish.
I shake my head.
Valentina is a strong woman.
So strong that most forget she’s young, only twenty years old.
Too young to be handed to that asshole Maksim as a peace offering.
I have my job cut out for me.
But that doesn’t scare me.
My family has worked for the Dantes for generations.
I know my role.
I have had training and experience.
I was born and raised to protect the family.
I won’t fail them now.
I’ll keep Valentina safe.
I’ll stand between her and one of the most dangerous men in the criminal underworld.
Even if that means my death.
The next day, I escort Valentina to the restaurant Maksim chose for their meeting.
The place reeks of money, all polished marble and crystal chandeliers.
It’s like he wants to impress her, but I know she’s not impressed by fancy food or wealth, especially from a scumbag like him.
I scan every corner twice before we enter, two of my men positioned at exits, another three outside.
Still doesn't feel like enough.
"Remember your role," Alessandro murmurs to Valentina as we approach the private dining room.
She doesn't acknowledge him, her face a perfect mask.
Only I notice how her fingers tremble slightly before she clenches them into a fist.
Maksim rises when we enter, flanked by his own security detail.
The room instantly divides, Bratva on one side, Dantes on the other.
"The beautiful bride arrives," Maksim announces.
I position myself slightly behind Valentina's right shoulder, close enough to intervene if needed.
From here, I can study the man who will soon own her.
Maksim Vasiliev doesn't look like the monster he is.
His tailored suit and charming smile hide his cruelty.
But his eyes move over Valentina blatantly.
He’s not admiring her beauty.
He’s calculating her worth, appraising her like livestock.
My jaw tightens, and I force myself to relax before anyone notices.
"A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Vasiliev," Valentina says, voice surprisingly calm considering her situation.
"Please, call me Maksim." He takes her hand, pressing his lips to her knuckles. "After all, we will soon share much more than names."
I fantasize breaking his neck as I watch him watching her like he’s looking for weaknesses.
"Two months should be sufficient time to arrange a ceremony befitting our families," Alessandro says, his tone businesslike as if discussing a shipment rather than his sister's future.
Irritation flashes in Maksim’s eye. "Why wait? In my country, we say delayed celebrations bring bad fortune."
"Some preparations are necessary," Adriano interjects, his hand tensing around his glass.
The air crackles with tension.
I shift closer to Valentina, noting how her shoulders stiffen when Maksim's gaze slides to her again.
“What does my bride prefer?” Maksim reaches across the table, his fingers brushing against Valentina's wrist.
The way his thumb traces slow circles on her skin makes my stomach clench.
He’s deliberately giving a display of possession.
Letting everyone know he can touch what belongs to the Dantes without consequence.
"I have no preference for the ceremony itself," Valentina replies. "Only that it represents the strength of our new alliance."
Smart answer. Diplomatic. But Maksim's eyes narrow fractionally, as if he wanted to see fear, not composure.
"Perhaps the bride would like to discuss the guest list privately," Maksim suggests.
There’s a predatory edge in his voice that has my hand instinctively moving closer to my concealed weapon.
Alessandro catches my movement with a warning glance. Stand down.
I force myself to relax while every instinct screams danger.
There's something beneath Maksim's performance.
The way he studies Valentina reminds me of someone examining a chess piece, considering all possible moves and countermoves.
“That’s not necessary,” Valentina responds to his comment.
“Perhaps we should discuss security,” Maksim moves on.
But there’s something about his questions regarding Dante security protocols that puts me on edge.
It feels like he’s probing, gathering intelligence under the guise of wedding plans.
When Valentina excuses herself to the restroom, I follow at a discreet distance, positioning myself where I can watch both her path and the table.
Maksim's eyes track her until she disappears from view, then immediately lock onto mine.
For one moment, what I see there chills me to the bone.
He doesn't want a wife.
He wants leverage.
When Valentina exits the restroom, I see wariness in her eyes that she tries to hide.
I want to suggest she change her mind about this marriage.
To offer to help her escape.
But it’s not my role.
Instead, I follow her back to the table.
Negotiations wrap up faster than I expect.
Alessandro lays out terms while Adriano watches Maksim with contempt.
Through it all, Valentina sits with poise.
The ride back to the Dante compound passes in tense silence.
Valentina sits between her brothers in the back seat, while I take the front passenger side, my eyes constantly checking mirrors and scanning for threats.
When we arrive, I hold the car door as the Dante siblings exit.
I hold out my hand to Valentina to help her out.
Her fingers wrap around mine.
At first, I feel a shot of electricity.
I glance at her.
Her gaze catches mine, and her hand grips mine tighter.
I feel like she’s holding on to me as a lifeline. I give her hand a light squeeze to assure her that I’ll protect her with my life.
But then I let go and step back, putting appropriate distance between us.
In the study, I stand at attention by the door while the siblings argue in hushed tones.
Alessandro paces the length of the room, laying out the strategic benefits of this union while Adriano glowers.
Valentina stands in the center.
“This is totally fucked, Alessandro, and you know it,” Adriano argues.
“It’s necessary.” Valentina’s words come out strong, and I have to admire her guts. “I mean, who in our world ever marries for love, right? It’s all about business.”
“Luca.” Adriano laughs derisively. “He has love. He’ll probably take Katerina and Enzo with him. Live happily ever after.” He shakes his head. “Who’d have thought Luca, of all people?”
I don’t know the first thing about love.
Not romantic love, anyway.
But I know it’s better than the deal Valentina is getting with Maksim.
Hell, she’s so young, she’s probably never been in love and now never will be.
My gut clenches at what she’s going to have to endure.
Not just a loveless marriage, but that motherfucker will likely touch her in ways that don’t include tenderness.
For that alone, Maksim deserves to die.
But that’s not my call.
My duty is to protect Valentina from the monster her brother is handing her over to.