Contracted to the Mafia Don

za'

gh my soul. I felt exposed and vulnerable. Every breath I took felt louder than t

ted to. The thoughts raced through my mind, co

ry

sent chills down my spine. He controlled this city with an iron fist, and I had seen enough stories

was the other o

let it end like this. My father, though a mess of broken promises and drunken rants, was st

traying my calm exterior. "I

er, eyes still locked onto mine. He had that smug, unbothere

he was offering me a luxury. "But some choices come with consequences.

life-would be forfeit. Damien Viera didn't give second chances. He didn't spare anyon

m back. I couldn't let him see me wea

n I felt. "But not because I want to. Not because

n't kind. It wasn't comforting. It was a smile

n to live with it, Eliza. In time, you'll come to u

thought of his 'good intentions,' but something in his gaze kept me still. He wa

o tremble. The reality of the situation was

pulse quickened, but I refused to shrink back. His steps were silen

voice almost a whisper now, sending a shiver down my spine

forcing myself to maintain eye contact with him. I c

said, the words slipping ou

ng. But the smile didn't reach his eyes. Those dark, cold eyes that f

is voice chilling. "You'll understand

If I was going to marry this man, then I needed to survive. I needed to keep my wits sharp.

breaking the silence. "

I had made my choice, for better or worse. The consequences of that cho

en's

t Eliza... she was different. I could see the fire in her eyes, the fight. She

ration, maybe even tears

e her in

anything to save themselves. But Eliza... she wasn't begging. She wasn't offering to help or to n

usement, but the truth was, she was wrong. She would be

in her. It would ma

The wedding will be arranged soon. We'll make

er face pale. But the spark in her eyes hadn'

ut I had no illusions about her. She would

eat of her body, the tension in her posture. I could tell

y ideas, Eliza. This isn't going to be easy for you. You're mine no

, but I could see the wariness in her ey

was just a little bit. Fear would keep

I said. "But you will respect

something else, but she remained silent. Good. The silence be

, motioning for her to follow. Ther

ow she had no choice but to accep