Gia Alessandro is the daughter of a very popular mafia boss who is feared and respected but for his whole life he has been at war with a rival mafia gang. How he made his money and she did not ask questions but she made sure it was clear from the beginning that she would be in control of her love life. So when her father told her she would be marrying the rival gang's heir, she was livid and rebelled. Lorenzo Federico, the rival gang's heir, is a cold, ruthless and dominating Playboy and he makes it clear that he would never love her or treat her like a woman. They both end up in a loveless marriage which leads Gia into the arms of another man who treats her well. Read to find out what happens when Gia finds herself trapped in a marriage with a monster.
Chapter 1 THE SEALED FATE
Gia.
"YOU have no right Papa", I yell at the top of my voice to my father, who just sits there staring straight at me.
My hands are clenched into fists as I glare at him from across the wide mahogany desk in his office. The dim lighting does nothing to soften the sharp lines of his face and the cold expression in his eyes.
Matteo Alessandro, is a man feared by many, respected by all, the only person in the world who has the power to decide my fate without my consent.
He exhales slowly, his fingers entwined together as if he's already bored of my outburst. "I don't need your permission, Ria. This is bigger than you."
His words are like ice down my spine. I know my father and once his mind is made up, there is no changing it. But this? This is my life. My freedom. My choice, and he's stripping it away like it means nothing.
I slam my hands on his desk. "I told you I'd never marry for business! I told you I'd choose my own life, my own love! and now, you're selling me off like I'm some bargaining chip?"
My father's jaw tightens, but his voice remains infuriatingly calm. "This isn't a discussion, Ria. The date has already been set."
The air is sucked from my lungs. I stagger back, shaking my head as the words he just said crashes down on me. The date is set. My fate is sealed.
I feel sick. My entire body trembles as I try to process what this means. Marrying a man I don't know. A man from a family we've been at war with for years. A man who was raised in bloodshed and power, just like me.
"Why him?" My voice is hoarse now, the fight in me dimming under reality. I think of Domingo, the man I actually love and have given my heart to, what would become of him.
My father leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "Lorenzo Federico is the heir to the Federico empire. This alliance will bring peace to both families. No more bloodshed. No more war, and you..." he pauses, his gaze hardening, "you will do your duty as my daughter."
My stomach twists violently.
Duty. That's all I am to him, a pawn to be moved on the chessboard of his empire. Not his daughter. Not a woman with her own dreams. Just a tool to secure his legacy.
I straighten my spine, forcing down the lump in my throat. "And if I refuse?"
A heavy silence fills the room before he speaks. "Then you will not just be going against me, Ria. You will be going against the entire family."
I swallow hard. There it is. The unspoken threat.
Defying my father does not just mean walking away, it means exile. It means losing everything and everyone I have ever known. It means war.
The walls of my world are closing in on me, and I cannot breathe.
The door swings open suddenly, and my mother steps in, her eyes glancing between us. She knows. Of course, she knows.
"Ria," she says gently, like she's trying to soothe a wild animal. "It's already done."
I stare at her, feeling betrayed. She won't fight for me. No one will.
My father rises from his seat, his final words leaving no room for argument.
"You will meet Lorenzo tomorrow."
Then he walks past me, disappearing down the hall, leaving me alone.
"You know the kind of man your father is ", my mom says walking towards me.
She cups my face in her hands. "I know you Ria, you are already thinking of how to escape, but think of your father. It is as hard for him to do this as it is for you."
I am furious at what she says but I am not surprised. She would support her husband even if it means following him to his grave.
"Mi amore, she continues, "I understand how you feel, I also got married to your father against my will, but I learned to love him and I know you will learn to love Lorenzo".
I push her away at this, ignoring whatever guilt it caused.
I storm out of my father's office, my heart pounding with anger and frustration. His decision might be final, but I refuse to accept it.
My heels click loudly against the marble floors as I take long strides through the corridors of the estate. My father's voice still echoes in my head. "The date has been set."
I need a plan, yes, I just need to think of a way to get out of this mess. I have never been one to accept the shit life throws at me.
I shove the double doors open and steps onto the balcony, sucking in icy cold night air. The view of the city spread before me, life continuing as if my world hasn't just been shattered.
My hands grip the railing so tightly that my knuckles turn white.
"There has to be a way out of this. Maybe I should run.", I whisper to myself, ignoring my mother's words.
I push through the balcony doors, my mind made up to run away. I dial Domingo's number with shaky fingers as I walk out of the building. The cold air stings my face, but I don't care.
The line rings. Once. Twice.
"Ria?" His voice is groggy. "What's wrong?"
"My father, he's marrying me off to the Federicos," I whisper urgently. "We need to leave. I can't-"
A hand snatches my phone away making my stomach drop, thinking it's my father or one of his men.
Spinning around, I come face-to-face with Lorenzo Federico.
He towers over me, his expression amused. He holds my phone up, smirking.
Then, he puts it to his ear. "Domingo, was it?" Silence.
Lorenzo looks at me, his smirk widening.
"Running won't help you, sweetheart."
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