Contracted to the Mafia Don

za'

ed- everything about it was calculated and impersonal. The guests, who were all too familiar with the mafia world, observed

ally flicking to me as though he was assessing me. There was no warmth, no tenderness in his presence. He

illuminated the guests below, who drank champagne and engaged in meaningless conversations. I had never felt more out of place. My father's debt had

le force pulling me toward him, and I found myself walking toward him, against my will. My he

rst. His eyes were cold, appraising. His express

emony?" he asked, his

ing to steady my nerv

htly, but it wasn't a smile-it was something darker

ined for myself? That I had been thrust into this world against my will? There

d, leaning closer. "I can see it in your

ost lost control. But I quickly masked the emotions that surged

d, meeting his gaze with as mu

't mistake fear for respect, Eliza. There's

elt my breath catch in my throat, but I refused to show

in his hand, his gaze never leaving me. "Enjoy your n

n't over. The wedding had just been the beginning, and now the real test would beg

associates, leaving me standing there, alo

-

en's

t was exactly how I liked it. Every detail, every moment, had been carefully orchestrated.

iz

g. She didn't plead. But I could see it in her eyes-the fear, the uncertainty. She was trying to hold it together, but

umbled by now, but Eliza... she had a certain resilience. It was

nd of beauty that didn't need to be flaunted. It was in the way she mov

had been there during the ceremony. She hadn't asked for any of this. She was forced into this life because of her father

ide. But I knew better than to take it at face value. She was terrified. I could see

w in her eyes. She was trying to put on a bra

my voice low. "I can see it in your e

rm. I wasn't going to let her forget her place, not even for a second

as mi

was a lie, but I let her believe it for now. Let her hold onto whatever shred of pr

, Eliza. There's a difference.

but that would make the game more interesting. I needed her to fight me

was still standing there, looking lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces. I knew that she hated it, hated

was far

ginning to understand what