MARRIED TO THE VIPER "FORCED MARRIAGE TO THE MAFIA DON "

The mansion was quiet too quiet. At 3 AM, even the wind seemed to hold its breath. Then came the bang on my door. I jolted upright, heart racing. My bare feet hit the floor as I rushed to open it. “Father?” I whispered. His face was pale, drenched in sweat, eyes filled with terror. Without a word, he shoved past me and slammed the door shut, bolting it. “We need to talk, Eleanor,” he said, breathless. “What’s going on?” I asked, chest tightening. His voice cracked. “You have to marry Dante Luciano.” I froze. “Marry Dan..te” I said, trembling, the same man who I share a miserable experience with that even he is not aware of “What?” My voice shot up an octave. “No! Absolutely not! Father, have you lost your mind?” He grabbed my hand, desperation in his grip. “It’s done. There’s no way out.” “Dante Luciano is a monster! He’s a mafia don! A killer!” My voice trembled. “I’m in love with Kade. You know that. I….” “I didn’t choose this,” he snapped. “Dante did. And when he wants something, he takes it.” The fear in his voice chilled me. Before I could speak, the door burst open. Three armed men stormed in. “Get her,” one barked. “No! Let her go!” My father shouted, but one of them struck him hard, and he collapsed. “Dad!” I screamed, struggling against the guards as they dragged me out. The cold marble scraped my knees. My nightgown clung to me, torn and dirty. I was hauled through the halls of my home like a prisoner. They shoved open the doors to my father's study. Dante Luciano stood waiting, polishing a gun with maddening calm. His black suit was tailored to perfection, but his eyes cold and emotionless made my skin crawl. “Eleanor,” he said, not looking up. “You kept me waiting.” I lunged toward him, screaming. “I’d rather die than marry you!”. Two men yanked me back. Finally, Dante met my gaze. The corners of his mouth twitched into a smirk. “Die? That’s not your decision to make.” He nodded once. Behind me, the door slammed open again.My father collapsed to the floor, blood gushing from his mouth, his face bruised beyond recognition. “Papa!” I tried to run to him. Dante grabbed my wrist. “Sign,” he ordered, shoving a marriage contract in front of me, “or I let Matteo put a bullet in your father’s skull.” Matteo, his right-hand man, stepped forward, spinning a gun like it was a toy. “Sign, or your daddy’s head in a box to your honeymoon.” Tears streamed down my face as I stared at the contract. My name was already printed beside his. I was shaking. “You’re a monster.” He leaned close, the smell of smoke and whiskey clinging to him. “No, mia regina. Monsters don’t offer choices.” I glanced at my father. He was barely conscious. “I love Kade,” I whispered. “You can’t do this…” Dante’s voice dropped to a growl. “Sign. Now.” I hesitated just a second too long. Matteo kicked my father in the gut. He groaned in pain. “No, stop!” I sobbed. “Please… I’ll sign…” I picked up the pen with trembling fingers. My signature bled onto the paper like a death sentence. Dante smiled. “Wise choice, Mrs. Luciano.” He lifted the contract with a satisfied smirk. “Welcome to your new life.” He kissed my cheek, sending ice down my spine. I wanted to slap him, scream, do anything but I was paralyzed. My father’s blood soaked into the Persian rug. “I’m sorry,” he whispered as I knelt beside him. “Eleanor… I never told you about your mo—” BANG. The wall exploded. I was thrown backward—screaming—but strong arms caught me. Dante. Gunshots rang out. Smoke filled the room. My father lay motionless, blood pooling beneath him. “Who the hell was that?!” Dante roared, shielding me behind him as his men returned fire. In the chaos, a figure disappeared into the shadows—but not before locking eyes with me. That face… or those eyes… They seemed so familiar. But I couldn’t place them.