Chapter 1: The Devil's Bride
948 Words
"The day I married the devil... was the day I stopped belonging to myself."
The bells of St. Angelo Cathedral echoed across Rome.
Inside, hundreds of guests sat in complete silence.
Politicians.
Billionaires.
Judges.
Mafia bosses.
Every influential family in Italy had gathered to witness the wedding that would end a twenty-year war.
Or so they believed.
At the end of the aisle stood Isabella Moretti.
Twenty-five years old.
Dressed in a breathtaking white gown adorned with delicate lace.
To everyone else, she looked like the happiest bride in Italy.
Only she knew the truth.
This wasn't a wedding.
It was an execution.
She tightened her grip on the bouquet until the thorns hidden beneath the roses pierced her gloves.
Pain helped.
Pain reminded her she was still alive.
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
"It's time."
Her father.
Lorenzo Moretti.
The once-powerful head of the Moretti family looked ten years older than he had only a month ago.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes.
His shoulders, once proud and unshaken, were now weighed down by defeat.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
The apology only fueled her anger.
"Are you apologizing because you're giving me away..." she asked quietly.
"...or because you're giving me to him?"
Lorenzo lowered his gaze.
He couldn't answer.
That silence hurt more than any lie.
The church doors slowly opened.
The music began.
Every step Isabella took felt like walking toward her own funeral.
At the altar stood the most feared man in Italy.
Alessio Vieri.
Thirty-three years old.
CEO of Vieri Holdings.
To the public, he was a business genius.
To the underworld...
He was known by a different name.
The Black Devil.
His tailored black suit contrasted sharply against the white marble cathedral.
Everything about him radiated power.
Cold.
Elegant.
Untouchable.
He watched Isabella approach without the slightest emotion.
Not admiration.
Not excitement.
Not even curiosity.
Only calculation.
As though she were another contract waiting to be signed.
She stopped before him.
For the first time...
Their eyes met.
Her heart whispered one word.
Monster.
His expression never changed.
Yet somehow...
His gray eyes seemed to study every emotion she tried so desperately to hide.
Fear.
Hatred.
Defiance.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The priest cleared his throat.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today—"
Isabella didn't hear another word.
All she could hear was her mother's voice from years ago.
"Never trust a Vieri."
She had believed those words all her life.
The Vieris were responsible for the m******e that destroyed half of her family.
The Vieris had stolen everything.
Now...
One of them was about to become her husband.
Fate truly had a cruel sense of humor.
"You look disappointed."
Alessio spoke without looking at her.
His voice was deep.
Calm.
Dangerously composed.
"I'm trying not to vomit."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Barely noticeable.
"If that's your wedding gift..."
"...I'd rather have flowers."
She glared at him.
"I'd rather poison them."
For the first time...
His eyes gleamed with amusement.
"So the rumors are true."
"What rumors?"
"That Isabella Moretti has sharper claws than any mafia assassin."
She leaned closer.
"So be careful."
"I bite."
The priest raised his voice.
"Do you, Alessio Vieri, take Isabella Moretti to be your lawful wife?"
"I do."
Not a second of hesitation.
Not a hint of emotion.
It sounded less like a vow...
And more like a business agreement.
Then the priest turned toward Isabella.
"Do you take Alessio Vieri—"
Buzz.
Something vibrated inside her bouquet.
A hidden phone.
Her breathing stopped.
One message.
LOOK UP.
Slowly...
She lifted her eyes.
On the highest balcony...
A child sat tied to a chair.
Blindfolded.
Her little brother.
Matteo.
A man dressed in black pressed a pistol against the boy's head.
Another message appeared.
SAY YES.
OR HE DIES.
Her entire body froze.
No...
This wasn't supposed to happen.
This wasn't part of the agreement.
She desperately searched the church.
Bodyguards.
Guests.
Her father.
When their eyes met...
Lorenzo looked away.
He knew.
He knew everything.
Tears burned behind her eyes.
The priest repeated the question.
"Miss Moretti?"
Her voice trembled.
"...I do."
Applause erupted.
The cathedral celebrated.
Nobody noticed...
The bride had just sold her freedom to save her brother.
The rings were exchanged.
When Alessio slipped the black diamond ring onto her finger...
His hand paused.
Just for a heartbeat.
His thumb brushed lightly against her skin.
Warm.
Unexpectedly gentle.
He leaned close enough for only her to hear.
"You hate me."
She didn't deny it.
"I always will."
He nodded once.
"Good."
She frowned.
"Because hatred keeps you alive."
His next words sent a chill through her entire body.
"And you're going to need it."
Before she could ask what he meant...
Gunshots exploded outside the cathedral.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Screams filled the church.
Guests threw themselves to the floor.
Bodyguards pulled out their weapons.
The stained-glass windows shattered.
Someone shouted—
"Protect the Don!"
Chaos erupted.
Alessio immediately grabbed Isabella's wrist.
"Stay behind me."
She tried to pull away.
"Let go!"
"I said..."
His eyes turned colder than ice.
"Stay."
Another bullet shattered the marble pillar inches from her head.
She gasped.
Instinctively...
She moved behind him.
Without hesitation...
Alessio shielded her with his own body.
As bullets rained across the cathedral.
And for the first time...
Isabella wondered.
If he truly was the devil...
Why was he willing to take a bullet for her?
End of Chapter 1
Cliffhanger
Outside the cathedral...
A black SUV screeched to a stop.
A masked man stepped out.
Holding a silver envelope.
Across the front, written in crimson ink, were six chilling words.
WELCOME TO THE REAL WAR.
- Writer
