Aria Moretti never wanted to be a pawn in the dangerous world of the mafia. But one reckless night changed everything. A single mistake-a one-night stand with a man whose name she never thought she'd hear again-becomes the chain that binds her to the most powerful and ruthless mafia boss in New York, Luca Romano. Cold. Calculating. Dangerous. Luca is a man who takes what he wants, and when he discovers Aria is carrying his child, there's only one solution-marriage. But Aria refuses to be controlled, refuses to bow to a man who sees her as nothing more than an obligation. Yet, escaping Luca Romano is impossible. As she fights for her freedom, she finds herself entangled in a web of power, deception, and deadly secrets. The world she's been forced into is filled with betrayal, bloodshed, and enemies lurking in the shadows. And the most dangerous of them all? Luca himself. But what happens when the ruthless mafia king starts to fall for the woman who dares to defy him? And when Aria discovers a secret that could shatter everything, will she run from him... or run straight into his arms? In a game where love is dangerous and trust is a luxury, Aria must make a choice-fight for her freedom, or risk her heart for a man who could either destroy her or love her beyond reason. One mistake. One contract. One stolen affection. And now, there's no turning back.
Chapter 1 A Night of Reckless Passion
The city of New York never slept, its streets alive with the chaotic symphony of honking cars, flashing billboards, and the murmurs of people chasing dreams-or escaping nightmares.
Aria Sullivan tightened her coat around her slender frame as she walked down Fifth Avenue, the cold night air biting against her skin. She had just finished another grueling shift at La Vie en Rose, a high-end restaurant where she worked as a waitress, barely scraping by in a city that swallowed people whole.
Her life had always been a series of predictable struggles-working long hours, dealing with difficult customers, and saving every penny for rent. But tonight, she felt different. Restless. Reckless.
Maybe it was the exhaustion. Or maybe it was the sting of betrayal that still lingered from the man who had shattered her trust just weeks ago.
Ryan Bennett.
Her ex-boyfriend, the man she had once believed was her future, had turned out to be nothing more than a selfish liar. He had cheated, stolen from her, and left her with nothing but a broken heart and an empty bank account.
Tonight, she didn't want to think about him. Tonight, she wanted to feel something-anything-to remind herself that she was still alive.
And that was how she found herself walking into Club Euphoria, one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the city.
The bass of the music vibrated through her bones as she stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim, seductive lighting. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne, alcohol, and desperation. People moved like shadows on the dance floor, bodies pressing together, lost in the intoxicating rhythm.
She wasn't supposed to be here. This wasn't her world. But something-perhaps the aching loneliness in her chest-drove her forward.
Then she saw him.
A man unlike any other.
Luca Moretti.
He sat in the VIP section, a glass of whiskey in his hand, his gaze dark and unreadable as he observed the crowd. There was something about him-an aura of power, danger, and control that made him impossible to ignore. He didn't blend in with the crowd; he commanded attention without even trying.
Aria's breath hitched.
Everything about him screamed danger-the sharp angles of his jaw, the way his black suit molded to his muscular frame, the cold, calculating way he looked at people, as if deciding whether they were worth his time.
And yet, despite every warning in her mind, she couldn't look away.
As if sensing her gaze, his piercing blue eyes met hers.
For a moment, the world around her disappeared.
He tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into something that wasn't quite a smile. It was an invitation. A dare.
Aria's heart pounded. She had never been the type to take risks, but tonight-tonight, she wasn't herself.
Before she could second-guess her actions, she found herself walking toward him.
Luca watched her approach with mild curiosity, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. She was different from the women who usually threw themselves at him. There was a quiet hesitance in her steps, a wariness in her brown eyes, but also something else-something defiant.
Interesting.
He leaned back as she stopped in front of him. "Lost, dolcezza?" His voice was smooth, rich, laced with the hint of an Italian accent.
Aria swallowed. "Maybe."
His smirk deepened. "Or maybe you were looking for me."
She let out a soft breathless laugh. "And why would I be looking for you?"
Luca set his glass down, his fingers brushing against hers ever so slightly. "Because you're running from something. And I look like the kind of man who can make you forget."
Her pulse fluttered at the accuracy of his words. She was running-running from the pain, the heartbreak, the loneliness.
Maybe, just for one night, she could let herself be reckless.
She didn't answer him. Instead, she let her actions speak for her as she reached for his hand.
Luca raised an eyebrow, amused. "Coraggiosa," he murmured. Brave.
He stood, towering over her, his presence swallowing her whole. Without another word, he led her through a private exit, past security, and into the back of a sleek black limousine.
Aria barely had time to process what was happening before his lips crashed against hers.
Heat exploded between them, raw and consuming. His hands were firm, possessive, as they gripped her waist, pulling her closer. She gasped against his mouth, her fingers tangling in his dark hair.
She had never kissed someone like this before-like she was drowning and he was the only air she needed.
And for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel empty.
She felt alive.
The Morning After
The golden rays of morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow on Aria's bare skin. She stirred slightly, the unfamiliar scent of expensive cologne and fresh linen wrapping around her senses.
Then reality came crashing down.
Her eyes flew open, her breath hitching as she took in her surroundings.
A massive, luxurious bedroom. Silk sheets. A breathtaking view of the city skyline.
And next to her, a man who was both dangerous and devastatingly handsome.
Luca Moretti.
Memories of the night before flooded her mind. The heat of his touch. The way he had claimed her with a dominance that left her breathless. The way she had let herself fall into the abyss of pleasure, ignoring the consequences.
Her heart pounded. What had she done?
Carefully, she slipped out of bed, clutching the sheet around her as she scanned the room for her clothes. She needed to leave. Now.
But as she reached for her dress, a deep voice sent a chill down her spine.
"Leaving so soon, dolcezza?"
She froze.
Slowly, she turned to face him. Luca was propped up on one elbow, his chiseled torso on full display, his blue eyes watching her with amusement.
Her throat went dry.
"I... I should go," she managed to say.
Luca smirked, running a hand through his tousled dark hair. "Why rush? You didn't seem so eager to leave last night."
Her cheeks burned. "Last night was a mistake."
Something dark flickered in his gaze. "A mistake?" He sat up, the sheets slipping down his waist, revealing more of his sculpted body. "You didn't seem to think so when you were begging for more."
Aria's breath hitched. "I-I wasn't-"
He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Tell me, dolcezza, do you regret it?"
Yes. No. Maybe.
She didn't know.
All she knew was that being around him was dangerous-not just because of who he was, but because of what he made her feel.
Without answering, she grabbed her dress and turned toward the door.
Luca watched her with an unreadable expression. He could have stopped her. He could have ordered her to stay.
But he let her go.
For now.
Because something told him this wasn't the last time he'd see Aria Sullivan.
And he was right.
Because in a few weeks, their one reckless night would turn into something far more complicated.
Something permanent.
Something neither of them were prepared for.
Chapter 1 A Night of Reckless Passion
17/03/2025
Chapter 2 Shackled by Fate
17/03/2025
Chapter 3 The Mafia's Claim
17/03/2025
Chapter 4 Trapped in His World
17/03/2025
Chapter 5 Bound by Fire and Chains
17/03/2025
Chapter 6 Dinner with the Devil
17/03/2025
Chapter 7 The Chains of Power
17/03/2025
Chapter 8 Trapped in a Gilded Cage
17/03/2025
Chapter 9 A Dance with the Devil
17/03/2025
Chapter 10 Chained by Desire
17/03/2025
Chapter 11 In the Clutches of Power
01/04/2025
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