Accidental Bride of the Mafia king

“Come on, Elena. You’re not spending another Friday night crying over that cheating bastard.” Nina tugged at her hand, weaving them both through the sweaty mass of bodies on the club’s dance floor. The air was thick with perfume, alcohol, and the heavy bass that vibrated in Elena’s chest like a second heartbeat. “I don’t want to be here,” Elena murmured, but Nina rolled her eyes. “That’s exactly why you need to be here. Look at you—all gloom and doom. Tonight, you’re going to forget about Adrian and all the crap he put you through. You’re going to dance, drink, and let some poor guy fall in love with you for a night. Trust me.” Elena wanted to argue, but her words caught in her throat. Maybe Nina was right. Maybe she did need a night to shut off her mind. With her family’s debts crushing her and Adrian’s betrayal still fresh like a knife wound, she didn’t know how much longer she could hold herself together. Nina’s fingers tightened around hers. “Dance with me. Stop thinking.” The music thumped louder, and Elena let herself be pulled into the rhythm. At first, she moved stiffly, awkwardly aware of the people around her. But Nina’s laughter was infectious, and as the song changed to something darker and sultrier, Elena’s hips started to sway in time with the beat. Eyes drifted toward her. Men whispered, watching as she loosened up, spinning and laughing with her best friend. Upstairs, in the dim glow of the VIP balcony, Rafael leaned against the glass, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He watched her dance—her hesitant movements growing bolder with every passing second. Her dress clung to her curves like a second skin, catching the lights as her hair whipped around her shoulders. “She’s not your type,” Marcus said lazily from the sofa. Rafael didn’t answer. His eyes stayed locked on the girl below, curiosity flickering in their depths. “I know that look,” Marcus added with a smirk. “You’re hunting.” Rafael’s lips curved ever so slightly. He downed the rest of his drink and stood. “I’ll be in my room.” - On the dance floor, Nina squealed as a tall guy grabbed her hand. “Wait here,” she shouted over the music. “I’ll be back in five!” “Wait—Nina!” Elena called, but her friend was already lost in the crowd. Suddenly alone, Elena’s chest tightened. The noise and heat pressed in on her. She needed air—or quiet. She slipped away from the crowd, her heels clicking against the polished floors as she searched for the restroom. At the end of a dim hallway, she spotted a door slightly ajar. Warm golden light spilled from inside. Maybe it was a lounge. Somewhere she could sit for a second. She pushed the door open—and froze. A man sat in a leather armchair, shadows curling around him like loyal pets. His eyes—dark and sharp—lifted to hers. “Sorry,” Elena blurted, taking a step back. But before she could leave, the door swung open behind her. “Elena?” Her blood ran cold. Adrian. Of course. “Elena, what the hell are you doing here?” Adrian demanded, stepping into the room. His voice was sharp, too loud for the quiet luxury of the space. She straightened her spine. “Adrian, leave me alone.” “I’ve been calling you for days,” he said, his jaw tight. “You can’t just dump me after everything we’ve been through. We need to talk.” “No,” she said flatly. “Not here. Not ever.” He grabbed her arm. “Stop being dramatic. Let’s go somewhere and—” “She’s not leaving,” a voice said from the corner. It was low and calm, but it made Adrian freeze. His eyes darted to Rafael, only now noticing the man’s presence. “And who the hell are you?” Adrian asked, trying to sound braver than he felt. Elena’s mind raced. Adrian wouldn’t back off. He never did. So she acted. Before she could lose her nerve, she crossed the room and perched on Rafael’s lap. Her fingers brushed his jaw as she tilted his head toward hers. “He’s my boyfriend,” she said coolly. Adrian’s eyes widened. “What?” Elena forced a smile, her nails grazing Rafael’s neck. “I don’t owe you anything anymore. I’ve moved on.” “Bullshit,” Adrian snapped. “You expect me to believe you’re with him?” Elena’s heart hammered. “Don’t believe me?” she purred. She leaned in and kissed Rafael’s cheek. His skin was warm under her lips, and she felt him stiffen slightly beneath her touch. Her stomach twisted—not just from the act, but from the sudden awareness of how close she was to him. Adrian’s laugh broke the tension. “Really, Elena? That’s cute. But I’m not buying it. You? With him?” Her fingers lingered on Rafael’s neck as she tilted her head, her voice calm but sharp. “Don’t believe me?” Adrian scoffed. “Not for a second.” “Fine,” she murmured. Before fear could stop her, she turned her face to Rafael and pressed her lips to his. It was supposed to be quick. Just enough to sell the lie. But the moment her lips met his, everything shifted. Rafael didn’t respond right away, and panic flared in her chest. Please… don’t leave me hanging, she begged silently. Then, slowly, his hand slid to her waist, fingers curling with a gentle but possessive strength. He kissed her back—not carelessly, not hurriedly, but with a steady, devastating control that made her toes curl. The warmth of his mouth sent a shiver down her spine. Adrian’s face twisted in disbelief. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” “Let’s go,” Marcus said behind him, amusement dripping from his tone. “She’s clearly moved on, man. Don’t embarrass yourself further.” “I—” Adrian started, but Marcus didn’t wait. He grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the door. The door clicked shut, leaving silence in its wake. Elena didn’t move, her body still tense in Rafael’s lap. “They’re still out there,” she whispered softly, her voice barely audible. “Please… just five more minutes.” Rafael’s dark eyes studied her in silence, unreadable and intense. Her heart thudded painfully. “I’ll leave as soon as they’re gone,” she said gently, trying to rise. “I’m... sorry for dragging you into this.” But before she could stand, his hand tightened on her waist, pulling her back down. “Five more minutes,” he said, his voice low and rough. Elena froze. Her pulse hammered in her throat as she looked at him. This wasn’t about Adrian anymore.