Enemies At The Altar

e had learned long ago that those boots carried more than authority-they carried the weight of life or dea

reamble, gesturing to the chair o

lap. The Romano estate had always felt like a

elding, locked onto hers. "Mia, it

re?" she asked cautiously, sensin

e of age now. Old enough to... contribute to the family in

wed hard. "

interrupted. His tone left no room for

at before chaos erupted. "What?" she hissed. "No. Absolutely not.

e is loyal, capable, and honorable.

I have someone else!" Her voice cracked slightly as sh

ed. "Love is a luxury, Mi

Luxury? Do you even hear yourself?

amming a hand on the desk. "And I will decide w

e to breathe. She couldn't believe this. The man she had known her entire life, w

you quietly for years. He will make a loyal husband. He will protect you. You will r

disgust, and-somewhere deep, unacknowledged-a strange flicker of curiosity. But she r

get to decide, Mia. Not anymore. You are a Romano first,

y. Family. Legacy. The chains of her

he marble floor. "I... I won't do it!" Her voice

And you will thank me one day. Or you

uld he do this? How could he force her into a marriage with Mark DeLuca-the man she had always seen a

a splash of reality. She had a boyfriend. Sh

t been rewritten i