THE RUSSO BRIDE

The Russo Mansion

The Russo mansion was unlike anything Alessia had ever seen.

Hidden deep within the hills overlooking the city, it stood isolated from the rest of the world like a kingdom built for ghosts and kings. The massive estate was surrounded by towering black iron gates, high stone walls, and acres of private land. Security cameras watched every corner while armed guards patrolled the perimeter without pause.

The moment their SUV passed through the gates, Alessia understood why no one dared challenge Dante Russo.

The compound was filled with black SUVs parked in neat rows beneath the rain. Armed men stood beneath covered walkways while servants hurried across the grounds carrying umbrellas and luggage.

Alessia stared through the SUV window, her life had become unrecognizable in less than twenty-four hours.

Beside her, Dante remained silent. His attention was fixed on his phone while another convoy followed behind them. Even after surviving an ambush, he looked completely fine.

The vehicle finally rolled to a stop beneath the covered entrance, and several servants immediately stepped forward.

Waiting at the entrance were three figures dressed entirely in black. Their hands were crossed behind their backs as though they had been standing there for hours.

The first man stepped forward with a warm smile. He looked to be in his late thirties with eyes as sharp as a pointed gun.

"Welcome home, Boss," he said.

Dante gave him a curt nod, stopping in front of him. “Everything good, Anto?”

Antonio Ricci, the second in command, ignored Dante’s question and instead, shifted his gaze to the woman behind him.

A knowing smile swiftly claimed his face.

Alessia felt his piercing gaze, and grew unsettled within. It was one thing to be in the presence of Dante, and another different thing entirely to be under the scrutiny of someone who clearly was Important.

"This is Antonio Ricci." Dante, seeing Antonio’s mischievous smile after he had ignored his question, took it upon himself to make the necessary introduction.

Antonio’s smile warmed up. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Moretti." He stretched a hand to her.

Despite his initial intimidating presence, Alessia realized there was genuine warmth within him, and so she stepped away from Dante’s shadow, and gave him her hand.

Antonio was going to pull out the perfect mischievous move by kissing her hand, but one look from Dante set him straight.

He cleared his throat and stepped back, but the smile never left his eyes.

Alessia looked through him, and saw a much larger man, with expression in his eyes carved from stone.

His cold gray eyes seemed capable of freezing people where they stood. Even standing still, he looked terrifying.

"Pietro Vitale." Antonio did the honors this time.

Alessia’s first instinct was to recoil, but much to her surprise, Pietro stepped forward, and extended his hand toward her.

Although a bit frazzled on the inside, she shook it.

"Welcome, Miss Moretti." His voice was calm and unexpectedly polite.

Alessia managed a small smile. "Please, call me Alessia."

The final person waiting was an elderly woman dressed in a perfectly tailored black dress. Her silver hair was pulled tightly into a bun.

Something cold flickered across her face, when her eyes landed on Alessia.

It looked like disapproval, or even resentment. Yet she quickly buried it beneath a polite smile. "Welcome back, Sir," she said.

Others immediately echoed the greeting.

Dante's expression slightly softened, and a rare smile appeared on his face. It was the first genuine smile Alessia had seen from him.

"This is Alessia Moretti," Dante said while adjusting his suit jacket.

The woman nodded stiffly as she introduced herself "I am Nonna Rosa. Head maid of the Russo estate." Her smile stayed polite, contrasting her cold eyes.

Something about her was unsettling. Alessia had been around her type long enough to understand when she wasn’t welcomed.

"Take her to her room," Dante instructed. His attention shifted toward Antonio and Pietro. "And you two, follow me."

Both men nodded immediately.

Alessia watched them disappear before reluctantly turning toward Nonna Rosa.

"Come." The older woman's voice left no room for argument.

Alessia followed quietly. The moment they entered the mansion, a strange stillness settled around her. The place felt beautiful yet unsettling.

Nobody moved normally. Servants glided through the hallway, guards stood motionless beside doorways. It felt less like a home and more like a carefully controlled machine.

Dark marble floors reflected the glow of antique chandeliers overhead, strange artifacts decorated the walls, and paintings of stern-faced ancestors whose eyes seemed to follow her every step.

The deeper they walked, the darker the mansion became. The hallway stretched endlessly before them.

At some point, Alessia realized she had completely lost track of where she was.

Finally, Nonna Rosa stopped before enormous double wooden doors. "This is your room." Her voice remained cold.

Before Alessia could ask any questions, the Nonna turned and walked away.

Alessia stepped inside and her breath caught immediately. The room was enormous, a fireplace burned softly against one wall, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city lights below, and a sitting area occupied one side of the room while a massive four-poster bed dominated the center.

The room alone was larger than her entire apartment. Maybe even the entire building.

She slowly placed her bag beside the bed, and for the first time all day, she thought she might finally have a moment to breathe. Then boom! the door opened, and Dante walked in.

“I forgot to mention earlier—” he was saying as soon as he walked into the room.

Alessia immediately frowned. "You didn't think it was necessary to knock before barging in?" She cut him off.

Dante closed the door behind him with no trace of guilt crossing his face. "As I was saying, I forgot to mention earlier that the date for the wedding is tomorrow."

For a moment, Alessia thought she had misheard him. "What?!"

"You have nothing to worry about. Everything is under control. You just need to show up."

Alessia stared at him in disbelief "Wa-it... wh-at?" she stuttered as she stepped forward "What do you mean tomorrow?" Her voice rose with every word. "You can't just decide this for me!"

Still Dante remained completely calm.

"Alessia—"

"No! "Don't I get a say in any of this? Answer me,” months of grief, fear, and confusion finally exploded. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. "You're deciding my future without even asking me!"

Dante disregarded her tone, remaining stoic. “The earlier we do this, the better. Please get ready for tomorrow."

He turned toward the door, ready to walk away.

"Dante—" Alessia called out but he didn’t stop.

The door closed behind him and Alessia stood frozen in the middle of the room, a deafening silence following.