Dangerous Man

Chapter 01

Alana Carsten

"You're beyond stunning. Absolutely beautiful, Lana," Ayla, my older sister, said with tears in her eyes, her voice thick with emotion.

I forced a smile, adjusting the makeup on my face. The layers of foundation, blush, and highlighter felt heavier with every passing second, yet I didn't dare wipe any of it off. This moment wasn't about me, it was about my upcoming wedding-no matter how wrong everything felt about it.

I glanced at my reflection in the full-length mirror. I was standing in a white silk wedding dress, its fabric hugging my body like a second skin, outlining every curve. The dress had a slit on the left side that led up to my mid-thigh, exposing my leg and leaving me feeling exposed in a way I wasn't sure was entirely appropriate for a Christian wedding. Was this even right? Was this what I wanted?

I was sure my future mother-in-law didn't choose this dress. She seemed to have a very traditional idea of how weddings should go, so I had no doubt she wouldn't have approved of something like this. No, Ayla was convinced that it was my soon-to-be husband who had chosen it, or at the very least, influenced it.

Now, standing here in this stunning dress that made me feel both beautiful and alienated at the same time, Ayla stood behind me, adjusting the lace in my hair. "Now listen to me," she started, her voice lowering as she became serious. "The Salvatore's might seem like a picture-perfect family, with Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore being all smiles and charm. Your future mother and father-in-law, they're nice people, sure."

I raised an eyebrow at her, unsure of where this was going.

"But Dan and I are convinced that behind all those billion-dollar tech companies they run, there's more going on. They're hiding something, Lana. They're the most powerful, dangerous, and feared family in Britain. Behind the business deals and the charity gala smiles, there's something else. A lifestyle... a mafia," Ayla said with a straight face.

Mafia.

I laughed under my breath, but there was no humor in it. "How the hell do you jump from a wedding dress to that? Seriously, Ayla. Mafia?"

Ayla was unwavering. "Yes. The Salvatores-everyone in the business world knows them. Their companies are massive, their influence unmatched. There's just no proof to tie them to anything shady, but trust me when I say they are as dangerous as they come. And once you're married to him, you'll be tied to that power, Lana. You're not just marrying a man; you're marrying an empire. A family with secrets darker than you could ever imagine."

I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine. I stared at my reflection again, trying to make sense of her words. I was about to become part of that world-the world of the Salvatores. But was it really as sinister as Ayla suggested?

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. "Ayla, I think you're letting your imagination run wild. Everyone knows that the Salvatores have a powerful business empire, but mafia?" I scoffed. "Where's the proof?"

She didn't back down. "Lana, you can't ignore the signs. People in power don't get that way by playing nice. There's something hidden beneath the surface, something dark, and you've got to be careful."

I sighed, leaning back against the vanity table. "How does Dan deal with this?" I muttered under my breath. "The mood swings, the paranoia... it's exhausting."

Ayla snapped her gaze to me, looking almost offended. "What are you saying? Are you not listening?"

"I am listening," I muttered, forcing my attention back to her. "I just don't know what you expect me to do with this information. Should I run away?"