His Ruthless Claim

Chapter one-The wedding

CHAPTER ONE

“Marrying for survival…” She heard her father's voice.

That was the least expectation of Kathryn, but here in her father’s study, her fate is sealed.

Nico De Santis, a once respected Mafia member in Sicily, now looked like a man bound by invisible chains, a total opposite of the man he used to be.

Papers were spread across his table, debts, bank statements, loan reminders and the document that could change everything, a marriage contract.

“You want me to marry him?” She half yelled, her questioning eyes hovering around him.

“It’s the only way.” His voice came again. “His family owns half the ports in this city. They control shipping, real estate and even things we cannot speak about. You have to marry him. You must marry him,” He repeated.

The Valenti’s. Whispers of their name alone could silence a room and at the center of that empire was the man she was meant to marry… Alessandro Valenti.

Thirty-five-year-old ruthless, untouchable, billionaire playboy. A man described with two words, handsome and dangerous.

Kathryn laughed bitterly. “So you are going to sell your only daughter?”

Her aged father, with pain in his eyes, looked up, “I am saving everything I have built. Everything I have labored for all my life and without this deal, I would lose my company, my empire, this house, my name and most especially, you.”

She felt that bitter pile of anger come up her chest, but beneath it was something even worse. Betrayal. Her father had signed her future away all for his selfish interests, and he claims that it was all for her good.

The contract was simple, sign the marriage deal, and all his debts went away.

While the morning sun shone, darkness filled the room, with tears welling up her eyes as she sat before the mirror looking at herself before she took the one decision that would change her life forever.

“Stop crying Kat, you are going to ruin your makeup. You know your Papa loves you and would never do anything to hurt you,” says Kimberly, her cousin.

“But here he is sending me off to marry a man I do not love,” Kathryn responded.

“Your Papa knows best. Let’s go, the driver is waiting for us.”

Kathryn stood before the cathedral as she watched families gather to witness her union with Alessandro.

Black luxury cars lined the narrow streets. Men in tailored suits spoke in hushed tones. Women in their elegant long flowing dresses whispered. Everyone understood what this marriage meant. Just then her father approached her, ready to walk her down the aisle.

And there at the foot of the altar stood her groom, a man she didn’t know. Tall, dark hair slicked back. A black suit cut so perfectly it looked like it had been stitched on his body.

His ambiance is so intimidating. His eyes—cold, calculating and tearing down her soul. For a moment the world disappeared.

There was something terrifying about the way he looked at her. Not like a groom looking lovingly on his bride. But like a man assessing a weapon…Or a weakness.

When she reached the altar after that long dreadful walk, his voice brought her back to reality.

“You look like someone walking to her execution.” Are you sure you want to do this?”

Kathryn kept her gaze forward, “Maybe I am.”

Because at that moment she realized something chilling. This marriage wasn’t just about saving her father’s business. It was about something bigger.

Power. Because Alessandro was a man who never made deals without a hidden reason.

The Valentis estate sat beautifully on a cliff overlooking the sea outside Palermo.

On her wedding night, Kathryn wandered the walls like a prisoner. Guards stood at every entrance.

Every corner of the house reminded her that she now belonged to the most dangerous man in Sicily. She found Alessandro in his study. Far from her expectations, her wedding night is going to be rather boring.

He stood with his back to her, pouring a glass of whiskey.

“You are not celebrating?” he asked without turning.

“I didn’t realize there was anything to celebrate,” she replied.

He handed her a drink. “Your father’s debts are gone.”

But she wasn’t having any of it. “And what did you get out of this?” She asked eventually.

Alessandro finally faced her. Up close, his presence was overwhelming. Power radiated from him like heat.

“Leverage," he said simply.

Kathryn frowned. “Over what?”

His eyes darkened, “Over everyone who thinks they can challenge me.”

Her stomach twisted. “You didn’t marry me to help my father?”

“No," he said calmly.

“I married you because someone wants you dead.” Silence filled the room. She longed stared at him.

“What?”

Alessandro took a slow sip of whiskey.

“Your father’s company wasn’t just failing,” he said. “It was transporting something valuable through my territory.”

Her mind raced. “What kind of valuable?”

Alessandro’s gaze sharpened. “The kind people kill for.”

Fear crept down her spine.

“And now?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Now…” he said softly, stepping closer, “Anyone who wants to touch you has to go through me.”

Kathryn swallowed. “And why would you protect me?”

For the first time, something unfamiliar flickered in Alessandro’s eyes; Something almost human.

“Because,” he said quietly, “You might be the only honest thing in my entire world.”