Chapter 5: Vows in Shadows
773 Words
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
The words echoed through the old cathedral like a loaded gunshot.
Elena’s hand trembled slightly in Dante’s as the priest gave them his solemn blessing. The crowd of handpicked guests—mostly men in suits with secrets in their eyes—stood in cold, silent observation. There were no flowers. No music. No laughter. Just tension, coiled and waiting to strike.
Dante slipped the ring onto her finger. It was heavier than she expected. Almost like a shackle.
His jaw was tight, his eyes unreadable.
He leaned close. "From this moment forward, you are mine. Publicly. Legally. No one touches what’s mine."
Elena nodded stiffly. "Let’s hope that scares them."
The priest closed the book, offered a curt bow, and turned away. It was done.
They were married.
The reception was a formality, held at a heavily secured estate on the outskirts of the city. Black-suited guards patrolled the grounds. Drones flew overhead. Elena felt like a queen in a cage.
She stood at the edge of the ballroom, eyes scanning the guests as Dante spoke with his lieutenants across the room.
Whispers followed her like shadows:
"She’s Rafael Romano’s sister." "They say it’s a strategic alliance." "Do you think she knows what she’s gotten into?"
She forced herself to smile. Lifted a glass of champagne. Played the role.
But her thoughts raced. Alessandro was out there. Watching. Waiting.
And now she was wearing Dante’s name like a target.
"You look like you’re having the time of your life," came a voice beside her.
She turned—and nearly dropped her glass.
Rafael.
Her brother stood before her in a gray suit, his dark eyes scanning her face with cold intensity. He looked older than she remembered, harder, like the years had carved war into his bones.
"You came," she whispered.
"You think I’d miss your wedding to a Moretti? You must think I’ve lost my mind."
Elena lowered her voice. "Why are you really here?"
He leaned in close, his words knifed behind a smile. "To remind you who you are." And to warn you—Dante may have made you his queen, but he’s still playing chess. Don’t be a pawn, Elena."
Before she could respond, Dante appeared beside her, one hand possessively at her waist.
"Rafael," he said coolly. "Didn’t expect to see you at my wedding."
"Trust me, I didn’t come to celebrate."
The two men stared at each other, and the tension thickened until it felt like the walls themselves were holding their breath.
"Stay out of my city," Dante said.
"Keep her safe," Rafael shot back. "Or I won’t."
He turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Elena exhaled.
Dante didn’t speak. Just pulled her tighter against him.
That night, the penthouse was silent.
Their bedroom was vast, high above the city, its windows framing the skyline like a painting. The marriage may have been fake in the beginning—but tonight, everything felt too real.
Elena stood by the window, staring out.
"Are you okay?" Dante asked from behind her.
"I don’t know."
He walked over, removed his jacket, loosened his tie.
"You did well today. You looked... powerful."
She gave a bitter laugh. "I felt like a paper doll. Like everyone was staring at me and thinking, ‘She doesn’t belong here.’"
Dante stepped closer. "You belong. More than you know."
She turned to face him. "Then prove it. Tell me what this really is. Tell me why Alessandro wants me dead."
He paused. His jaw clenched. Then he finally said:
"Because you’re a Romano. And because of what your brother did."
Elena narrowed her eyes. "What did Rafael do?"
Dante hesitated. "He’s the reason Alessandro’s brother is dead. It was a hit. A botched one. And now Alessandro wants blood. You’re leveraged."
Elena’s pulse pounded.
"So marrying me wasn’t just about protection. It was a strategy."
He didn’t deny it.
"But now it’s also survival—for both of us."
A knock came at the door. Sharp. Urgent.
Dante opened it.
One of his guards stepped in, pale and shaken. "Sir, there’s been a breach. The vault’s been opened. And there’s a message."
"From who?"
The guard swallowed. "Alessandro. He took the files. The ones in the Romano alliance. And he left a gift."
Elena’s stomach dropped. "What gift?"
The guard opened a small box.
Inside was a single bullet.
Etched into the casing: HER NAME.
Dante slammed the box shut, fury blazin in his eyes.
He just declared war.
➡ Next: Blood will be spilled, secrets unraveled, and Elena will be forced to make a deadly choice…
- Writer
