THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE

WAS

ions as a way to siphon our family businesses. I called it modern slavery. Somehow it felt the 1500's where daughters were pimped out to spouses old enough to be their daugh

I was officially signing off my happiness in exchange for my father to

e stopped trying. For both our sakes. "Marriage to the Russos is something everyone in this society is dying for. They are a family o

because I was sure of one thing: either I fought until I murdered someone, or he would f

wallowed it as I faked a smile at Mom throu

mpliance because she grinned, tucking a

l be betrothed to, I mean. I heard Valeria and Anna talking about how the Russ

e Beast and let me tell you, it was only romantic on

r, everyone is scared of him," Mom told me with a sigh. "Thankfully, you were not given to him. If it were h

hrough the ends of the world now, Mom

his words were always final. Luckily, I'd inherited my stubborn streak from my father. I was a

ced. "My daughter is the most

raven hair that fell down her back in long waves. She was a s

We wouldn't want to ke

oubt they are waiting down for

my cheek. "You really have n

lways kept me away from Soc

at is ch

last look and seemingly contented with what I

moment I went down there? Would Santiago be happy with what he saw? Would I be happy?

ats, some dancing to the slow music, some drinking, some bored to death by their expressions. My eyes wa

d me in my ear. " He's set to arrive w

urning back to the crowd. Mom soon left me alone to talk to a friend if hers and I scanne

blame her. I wish I could have declined my own enga

Ar

and the way he said my name. There was

his overpowering blue eyes. "What are you do

red to the room. His eyes held me captive as he studied me and I ha

Obvious. Tell me you wouldn't be sad if you were going to be sold off

t. That came out wrong. I..." he ran a ha

ess I should be thankful, I'm not b

Russo. His Uncle - or should I say small Uncle

hing about my fiance except

ser to him. "What a

cription for them. They are the gods in this Society. Billionaires

make me feel better, but I did. At

d... for me

after a beat of silence. "You wanna... uhhh... ge

e some kind of connection (still do), but fate had resigned us to a

was about to answer to that, to decline and tell h

ouched until our wedding night. Virgins had higher chances of being married. Non virgins simply implied you were defiled and stained

liked each other but we never gave in to our carnal feelings because we knew we were never meant to

hink that'

e's heads swiveled to the direction, the room immedi

e I had a heart of ice. So, when the hunk of a man in a charcoal suit that seemed tailor made for him walke

was supposed to marry? Was t

Luca, the one everyone said was ruthless? He exuded power and dominance, and I should have known it couldn't have be

t I'd forgotten about the man I should be searc

words mother told me, not bothering to look at

t care about me? How many times would he avoid me with the "somethin

ing to them, and then him, Dad and Mom excused themselves, moving to a distance. I was curious and concerned when I saw Dad and mom'

ws in concern. Wh

my head. "Not sure," I said as Mom made her

appy tone. "If your friend would excuse us,

hands around my arm, not bothering to a

ade my way to them. I didn't need a fortune teller to t

Uh–oh. This wasn't good. At all. When Dad was all busines

s bored look. He glanced at me, except this time it

ld feel lasers in the back of my head and it made my hairs stand. I wondered what

after all. I never s