Wendy Rhoades never imagined her fight against the criminal underworld would lead her straight into its heart. Forced into a marriage with Damian Aurelius-the dangerous and arrogant heir to a mafia empire-Wendy must navigate a world of power, deceit, and temptation. Will she end up falling in love with the exact same thing she is fighting against?
Chapter 1 1.
The smell of coffee filled the air as Wendy Rhoades adjusted the chess pieces on her old board. It was early midday, and sunlight pierced through the large windows of her small but cozy home while it drizzled, lighting up the bookshelves packed with psychology books, philosophy texts, and novels. Soft jazz played in the background as her fingers moved her knight.
Chess wasn't just a game to Wendy; she had always loved it since she was a kid; it was a way of thinking and lifestyle, a philosophy that shaped her life. Every piece on the board represented something to her. She often saw life itself as a chess match, with its endless moves and countermoves. Wendy had been playing since she was 4 years old, taught by her late grandfather, who always said, "In chess, as in life, the one who sees further wins." Her love for the game extended beyond the board; she admired its complexity and found solace in its clarity, unlike the unpredictable world around her.
"Checkmate," she said to herself with a small smile, closing her laptop. She had been playing an online chess match while also writing a blog post. Her blog, named The Society, was where she criticized the city's powerful mafia families. Wendy took pride in exposing their greed and manipulation.
Her crusade against the mafia wasn't random. Years ago, she had witnessed the fallout of their power firsthand. A close friend of hers, a brilliant chess prodigy, had been lured into their world with promises of wealth and protection. He ended up dead, labeled as collateral damage in a gang war. Since then, Wendy has vowed to use her voice to fight back, even if it meant stepping on dangerous toes.
Lately, however, Wendy had noticed unsettling signs in her own home. Her father, Robert Rhoades, a respected man of the law and retired prosecutor, had been uncharacteristically warm toward the Aurelius family-a family widely known for their illegal dealings and Mafia world operations. Late-night calls, hushed conversations, and his worrisome looks didn't escape Wendy's sharp eyes. She couldn't help but suspect something was wrong with her dad, even though he tried to maintain the family's posh appearance.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Her younger brother, Nathan, poked his head in with a grin. "Dad's calling you downstairs. Something about a gala tonight. You know how he is."
Wendy sighed and pushed her dark curls out of her face. "A gala? On a Wednesday?" She stood and headed downstairs, ready to hear whatever this was all about.
Downstairs, her father, Robert Rhoades, sat at the head of the dining table. He looked serious, his gray hair neatly combed. Beside him, her stepmother, Clarissa, sipped tea with a calm but sharp expression. Wendy's younger sister, Lila, lounged on the couch, scrolling on her phone.
"Wendy," Robert said, his voice firm. "We've been invited to the Aurelius Foundation's charity gala tonight. It's important we go."
Wendy crossed her arms. "Oh okay? With all due respect, Dad, what has that got to do with me? You want me... us... to go to an event that would have very corrupt and criminal individuals present? To impress them? To make them think that we fuck with them?"
"Language!" Her stepmother yelled
Her father's jaw tightened, but he didn't answer. Clarissa stepped in. "Wendy, it's for a good cause. And your father thinks it's important to keep up appearances."
"Why should we keep up appearances? Why? Anyways. You guys are free to go, but I will not. I cannot be seen parading myself at an event full of criminals," Wendy argued.
"Hear me, young lady. Like your mom has said, it's for a good cause, and that's all. No more arguments, no more questions. Now, if you still want to remain under this roof as my child, and you know what's good for you, you will get dressed and come to that gala with us. Understood?" Her father said.
"And you should dress up nicely," her father added. "There'll be plenty of fine young men there." He concluded.
Wendy rolled her eyes. "I'm not interested in any of that," she muttered, brushing off the comment and walked out angrily.
The sudden warmth her father showed toward the Aurelius family didn't sit right with Wendy. A man of the law like him, who had always spoken out against corruption, now mingling with people like them? It was a red flag. She couldn't ignore the late-night calls or the worry etched on his face lately. Something was wrong, and Wendy intended to find out what.
Later that evening, Wendy stood in a sleek black dress, entering the grand ballroom of the Aurelius Mansion. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their lights sparkling like stars. The room buzzed with conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the whispers of deals being made.
Wendy's father and Clarissa were mingling with a group of older men, some of whom Wendy recognized as having ties to the mafia. Her siblings were off somewhere, likely exploring the venue or grabbing desserts.
As Wendy moved through the crowd, she felt someone watching her. She turned and met the gaze of a tall man near the bar. His sharp features and confident stance made him stand out. He was Damian Aurelius, the eldest son of the Aurelius family-a family known for their wealth and rumored Mafia connections.
Wendy held his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. Instead, she walked past him, heading toward a side room where a chessboard had been set up for the guests. A small crowd had gathered, and before she could sit down, a voice behind her said, "Care for a game?"
She turned to see Damian standing there, a faint smirk on his face. "Do you play?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Enough to keep things interesting," he replied.
They began to play, and the room grew quiet as the crowd watched their match. Wendy couldn't stop staring at Damian. It's been a while she had seen someone this handsome and stunning. She had to shake off whatever thoughts she was having and focus on her game.
Wendy's moves were calm and precise, while Damian's were bold and unpredictable. She couldn't help but notice how he studied her with every move, as if trying to read her.
When she finally said, "Checkmate," Damian leaned back, clapping slowly. "Impressive. You're not an easy opponent."
"Neither are you," she replied, though she felt a small sense of satisfaction.
"So I am guessing you are Damian Aurelius," Wendy said.
"Yes, that's right," he said, with a smile.
"And you must be Wendy Rhoades," he said.
"Uhm, maybe." They both burst into laughter.
Before they could say more, their families appeared in the doorway. Wendy's father and Damian's mother exchanged polite smiles. It became clear that this meeting wasn't an accident.
"Let's all take a photo of the two of you," Clarissa said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
As Damian stepped closer, he leaned in and murmured, "You play a dangerous game, Miss Rhoades. Let's hope you're as sharp off the board as you are on it."
Wendy met his gaze, her face calm. "I always am."
The camera flashed, capturing the start of a connection, quite unpredictable.
Chapter 1 1.
12/01/2025
Chapter 2 2.
12/01/2025
Chapter 3 3.
12/01/2025
Chapter 4 4.
13/01/2025
Chapter 5 5.
14/01/2025
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