Chapter 1

• ALESSA
• “You’re getting married,” Alessa's father, Vincenzo Moretti said, his voice cutting through the silence in his study and stopping Alessa by the door.
• Alessa froze, staring at him in disbelief. The words didn’t make sense. “What?”
• “You’re getting married,” he repeated, leaning back in his chair. His tone was cold, final, as though he was merely stating a fact, not turning her life upside down.
• Alessa couldn't pretend she had never thought about marriage. But it certainly wasn't to a man of her father's picking.
• She shook her head. “You can’t do this. I’m not a child. You don’t get to decide who I marry!”
• “This isn’t a discussion, Alessa,” Vincenzo said, his sharp eyes frowning up at her. “This is your duty to the family. It’s already been decided.”
• Her chest tightened, her heart hammering in panic. She had only returned from school, she was barely twenty-three and had just made plans for a vacation with her best friend, Beth. “Who?”
• “Gideon Falco.”
• The name hit her like a slap. Everyone knew the Falco family. Ruthless. Powerful. Dangerous. They hated Alessa’s family, the Morettis. Almost as much as Alessa hates her father in that moment.
• Alessa’s hands shook as she walked close and held the back of the chair in front of her.
• “No. I won’t do it.”
• “You don’t have a choice,” Vincenzo said, standing so he stood over her. Her father was getting old, but he was still the strong Mafia baron who was feared no matter where he went. Alessa shrank back. “This marriage is power, it protects this family. You will do what’s expected of you.”
• “I’m not a pawn in your game!” she shouted, her voice breaking. Tears blinded her, but she refused to let them fall. “I won’t let you ruin my life!”
• Because marrying her to Gideon would ruin her life. Wasn't he old? A man who ran the Falco Mafia had to be.
• Vincenzo sat back in his chair and smoked his cigar, barely looking at her. “You will do as I say, Alessa. Unless you want to end up with nothing. No family. No name. No protection.”
• Her knees felt weak, and she shook, back, holding her chest as if his words had physically struck her. “You don’t mean that.”
• “I do,” he said, his voice colder than she’d ever heard it. “You think you can survive on your own? Out there, without this family? Do you know what happens to people who turn their backs on us?”
• They died. Shot, stabbed, dismembered. It didn't matter. They all died. Had her father just threatened to kill her if she didn't marry Gideon Falco?
• The door opened behind Alessa and she turned to watch her step-mother, Marcella wall in, her black dress clinging to her like armor.
• Marcella had never liked Alessa. And she could see it in her eyes. She looked around with raised brows, her little heels clicking as she stepped besides Alessa, smiling softly.
• “I guess this means your father has told you about the wedding?” she asked, amused, almost laughing. Alessa didn't find it funny. Her life was ruined by her own father.
• “She’s refusing the marriage,” Vincenzo said, his jaw tight.
• Marcella smiled, though her eyes were cold.
• “Oh, Alessa,” she said softly. “You don’t know how lucky you are.”
• “Lucky?” Alessa spat, her tears turning into anger. Of course , Marcella thought she was lucky. She had stayed married to Vincenzo despite how badly he treated her. Women of the mafia were never respected. Alessa had always wanted to avoid that fate. “You think being sold off to some stranger is lucky?”
• Marcella tilted her head, her face too calm. “This is how our world works, dear. You’re part of this family. We do what needs to be done. Marrying Gideon Falco is not the end of the world. In fact, it’s an opportunity.”
• “For who?” Alessa bent her head, her shoulders shaking, tears falling down her cheeks. “For you? For him? What about me? What about what I want?”
• Marcella sighed, stepping closer. “You think I wanted this life?” she asked, her tone dropping to something colder, sharper. “Do you think I had a choice when I married your father? This is about survival, Alessa. About power. You’ll understand that one day.”
• “I’ll never understand,” Alessa said, shaking her head. “You sold your soul to this family. Don’t expect me to do the same.”
• Marcella’s face went red and she looked like she would spit. “You’re being naive. Grow up, Alessa. This is about staying alive.”
• “I’d rather be dead than end up like you,” Alessa shot back, bending to cover her face as the tears spilled over.
• Marcella’s red lips twisted. “Watch your mouth.”
• “No,” Alessa said. “I won’t let you or him control me!”
• Marcella’s hand shot out, and she gave Alessa a slap that had stars lighting her eyes. Alessa fell to the floor, covering her face where it burnt. Marcella's arm came down to give another slap.
• Alessa pulled away, her breath catching in her throat from the pain.
• But before the slap could land, a deep voice came from the doorway, stopping them both.
• “Touch her again, and you’ll lose that arm.”
• The room fell silent.
• Alessa’s head snapped toward the door, her heart pounding. There he was, standing just outside the study, his sharp suit dark and fitted, his eyes colder than ice.
• Gideon Falco.
• His aura filled the room, his eyes glaring at Marcella with a deadly calm that sent a shiver down Alessa’s spine. He didn't look like a man she wanted to cross. Or marry.
• Marcella slowly lowered her hand, her face pale. “Mr. Falco,” she said, bowing gently. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
• “You should be more careful,” Gideon said, his voice light but with an edge that made the air burn. His eyes dropped to Alessa's face and she looked away, her heart pounding too hard. “If you ruin her face, what will I be left with?”
• Alessa couldn't breathe. Was that why he worried if Marcella hit her or not? This was the man she was supposed to marry?
• He walked into the room and her father stood to greet him. “Alessa, isn’t it?” he asked, his voice as smooth as silk.
• She didn’t answer, her throat too dry to speak. He stopped, staring down at her. “Look up at me. Now.”
• Alessa lifted her eyes and he chuckled. “Such blue eyes. Stunning.” he smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “We’re going to get along just fine,” he said. Then, turning back to Marcella, he added, “A word with Vincenzo. Alone.”
• Marcella nodded stiffly, brushing past Alessa without another look. Alessa knew she'd receive that slap later when no one else could see it. It wasn't the first time Marcella had hit her, and it wasn't the first time her father had let her get away with it.
• Gideon bent and tilted Alessa's head up. His thumb rubbed under her jaw as he gave her a smile. His eyes were the brown color of honey. “This will be easier if you fight it.”
• Alessa looked up at Gideon, her tears drying as a new feeling closed her throat—fear.
• And under that, was something else. Something that felt dangerously like anger.
• Gideon leaned closer, his dark eyes locking on hers. “Because whether you like it or not, you’re mine now. Pack your things. You’re leaving with me tonight."