Bound by love and betrayal

el

y hand hovering over the doorknob. I wasn't supposed to be here. He'd made that clear the last time I'd interrupted

aid, his voice trembling.

eart pounding. Who was he talking

've had enough time, Marco. The debt is due. A

was an edge to it that sent a shiver down my spine. I

begged. "I'll do a

ted, his tone sharp. "Then y

throat. No. He couldn

rely a whisper. "But she's just a gi

plied. "Either you give her to me, or I take everything.

be happening. My father wouldn't- he couldn't- agree to this.

, with broad shoulders and a sharp jawline that looked like it had been carved from stone. His d

haking. "This is Don Alessandro Rom

? This man wasn't here to

aving mine. "You'll come with me," he sai

my throat tight

smirk playing on his lips.

o stop this. But he just stood there, his eyes downcast, hi

ssio said, turning away

dn't make a difference. In this world, men like Alessio

a whirlwind of anger, fear, and disbelief. How could my father do this? How co

as happening crushing me. I glanced around at the familiar space with soft pink walls, the bookshelf overflowing with novels, and the window that looked ou

nts frantic and uncoordinated. I didn't know what to pack. I didn't know where I w

y father standing there, his face pale and drawn. He

ly, stepping into th

er. "You're sorry? You just sold me to a mob

ce," he said, his voice breaking. "If I didn't agree, he

ng my eyes. "Did you even stop to think about

. I jerked away, not wanting his comfort. Not now. "But th

re sending me to live with a man who te

stood there, staring at me with a look of

voice low and shakin

hind him. I sank down onto the bed, my legs giving out beneath me. The tear

what kind of life awaited me in his world. But one thin

ced back at me. "One more thing," he said, his voice like ice. "Don't th

f the hallway. My future life is no longer my own. And the wo