Chapter 3 #2
"It's not your home anymore." He set down his pen.
"Everything your father owned belongs to the family organization now.
Which I control. This house, the cars, the bank accounts—all of it.
You own nothing, Aria. You are nothing except a promise that needs to be delivered.
So yes, you'll stay here where I can see you until it's time to hand you over to Don Salvatore. "
"Papa would never—"
"Your father is dead because he was soft.
Because he let sentiment cloud his judgment.
" Vincent's eyes were cold. "I won't make the same mistake.
You'll marry Salvatore, or I'll start making examples.
Would you like me to start with Maria? Or should we begin with the families?
I hear Carlos's oldest just got engaged. "
I left before I started screaming.
The day came too fast.
I packed my belongings with numb hands. Uncle Vincent sat next to me for the entire two-hour drive, talking the whole time.
"Don Salvatore is a powerful man. You should be grateful he still wants you."
"Once you're married, you'll be protected. The Don's wife is untouchable."
"Your parents would be proud you're doing your duty. Finally."
That last one made me want to vomit.
The Accardi estate looked like a tomb.
Massive walls. Cameras everywhere. Armed guards. The house was beautiful in a cold, dead way.
Luca Moretti met us at the entrance.
"Miss Romano. Vincent. Don Salvatore is waiting."
The hallways were oppressive. Dark wood, expensive art, everything perfect and unwelcoming.
Don Salvatore walked into his study, and every instinct screamed to run.
Fifties. Tall. Perfectly styled gray hair. Expensive suit. But his eyes—pale blue, cold, empty—made my skin crawl.
He looked at me like I was an object he'd purchased.
"Vincent. Thank you for delivering the girl."
The girl. Not even my name.
"Stand up, Aria."
I stood.
He circled me slowly. Assessing. Cataloging. Checking for defects.
"You'll do. Your father kept you sheltered. Good. A wife should be pure. Women with too much freedom become difficult." He stopped in front of me. "But you understand your place, don't you?"
I nodded, hating myself.
"Good girl." He patted my cheek like I was a dog. "Sit."
I sat.
"Your father and I had an agreement. His death doesn't change that. You'll marry me in three months. You'll learn to run my household. You'll obey me in all things. When I speak, you listen. When I give an order, you follow it immediately. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Don Salvatore."
"You will not embarrass me. You will not question my decisions.
You will not involve yourself in business.
Your role is simple—be a proper wife. Manage the household.
Host when required. Produce heirs when I decide.
Everything else is beyond your concern. Women who forget their place tend to meet unfortunate ends. "
The threat was casual. Friendly even.
"I understand."
"Excellent. My son will show you to your rooms. Vincent and I have business."
"Luca, fetch Kai."
Footsteps.
The door opened.
"You wanted to see me?"
No.
I knew that voice.
I turned around slowly.
Kai stood in the doorway.
Our eyes met.
Recognition hit him like a physical blow.
"Ah, Kai. Perfect timing. This is Aria Romano. Your future stepmother."
Kai's eyes were locked on mine. Shock melted into something darker.
"My what?"
"Your stepmother. I'm marrying her in three months. Show her to the east wing."
"Of course."
His voice was controlled. But his eyes burned.
Vincent gave me a warning look. Salvatore dismissed me with a glance.
And Kai stared at me like I'd just destroyed everything.
"This way."
I followed, my heart hammering.
He walked fast. Rigid. Tense.
We turned into an empty hallway.
He stopped suddenly.
Spun to face me.
"Did you know?" My voice was desperate. "That night. Did you know who I was?"
Kai looked at me. Cold. Distant. Nothing like the club.
"I didn't. I've been in Chicago for three weeks. Got back this morning. Found out he's getting married. To you."
Relief flooded through me.
"Even if I had known—" His voice dropped. "—it wouldn't have changed a thing."
"What?"
He stepped closer. "I said even if I'd known exactly who you were, that you were promised to my father, that touching you could get us both killed—it wouldn't have changed a single thing about that night."
My breath caught.
"I would have still taken you to that hotel. Would have still put my hands on you. Would have still fucked you exactly the way I did." His eyes burned into mine. "Knowing or not knowing changes nothing."
"You're insane—"
"Yes." No hesitation. "And I'd do it again right now if I thought I could get away with it."
I stared at Kai Accardi, the man who'd taken my virginity, the most dangerous person I could possibly want.
Three months. I had three months before I married his father.
The way he was looking at me—like I was already his and he was just waiting to prove it?
I wasn't going to survive this.