The Don's Replacement Bride

5— Welcome to my world

Valentina's POV

The venue wasn't built for love. It was built for power. A private estate sat at the edge of the water, cut off from the rest of Miami like it existed by its own rules.

Tall iron gates guarded the entrance, men in black stationed at every point still watchful , hands resting on their weapons.

White marble floors stretched endlessly beneath towering ceilings, polished to a shine that reflected the crystal chandeliers hanging above.

Rows of seats were arranged with precision, not comfort. Dark suits filled them. From outside, I could hear them speak, just low voices, measured and controlled, like every word was being weighed.

“Having trouble walking?” The guard behind me asked as we reached the entrance even as the whole venue stretched ahead of me.

“I don't want to do this,” I cried as I held onto the bouquet in my hands. “I don't want to do this. Camila should be here. Not me. Please.”

“The Don is waiting,” the guard whispered. “Go in. Now.”

I swallowed a shaky breath as I looked around but I only met the cold stares of the men at the gate. No one was here. No one from my side. I turned around as I sniffed wondering if I could run but it was impossible.

Armed men were all around and they'd catch me within the blink of an eye.

“Go in princess,” the lady, Isa whispered, “the Don doesn't bite.”

There's no choice.

I sniffed as I struggled to stabilize my hands and slowly I moved. Pain shot through my ankle but I stepped in, the cool air stinging through my white lace.

My eyes darted around immediately, finally meeting the eyes of the crowd but it was no different from the eyes of the men from outside. They were all cold but expectant.

This wasn't a celebration.

It was a gathering of power.

At the far end stood the altar—elevated slightly above the rest, designed so everyone could see exactly what was happening. White florals framed it, expensive and perfect, but even they felt like decoration for a transaction rather than romance.

Men stood along the walls, near exits, behind pillars. Eyes scanning. Bodies still. The kind of stillness that meant violence could happen at any second.

And at the center of it all, he stood.

The Don.

Nikolai De Luca.

He stood at the altar like he owned not just the room, but every life inside it. Tailored black suit, posture effortless, gaze steady.

Before I could blink, his eyes met mine cold, sharp and steady and heads turned immediately while I froze.

“And the bride is headed to the stage,” the officiant announced and slowly, my legs moved while every part of my body trembled

It took forever but I walked the aisle joining the Don and the man and time passed all around me as the ceremony started. Every word felt like a dagger to my skin even as it faded against my ears.

Quiet murmur moved across the audience while I soaked wet with sweat from fear until the moment came.

The officiant adjusted his stance, his voice a bit unsteady as it cut across the hall.

“Nikolai De Luca, do you take Valentina Castillo to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

The Don didn't answer immediately. But we all knew for a man like him, that was barely a question. Yet, Nikolai held the silence, letting it settle across the audience.

“I do,” his voice finally came and then his eyes rested on me.

Certain— like he was already looking at something that belonged to him.

My grip on the flower wavered as the officiant shifted his gaze to me.

“And do you, Valentina Castillo, take Nikolai De Luca to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

The room seemed to close in. The moment was here, there was no escaping. My chest tightened, my breath shallow as the weight of every word pressed against me

I was about to be legally tied to a man. A Don. A criminal for all I know.

I inhaled deeply as I looked to the audience like I could ask them for help.

But I couldn't.

This wasn't a choice.

This wasn't love.

I looked at the Don as he watched me with the same firm gaze while silence stretched for seconds, seconds too long.

And finally, the Don’s hand closed around my wrist, firm enough to send a chill down my spine and remind me who was in control.

I took in deep breaths and finally the word escaped my mouth, “I do.”

The officiant breathed a sigh of relief while Nikolai adjusted his grip around my wrist. And then the officiant smiled, “you may kiss your bride.”

My eyes widened and my pulse thundered in my wrist. Nikolai let silence settle before he turned slightly while I froze on my spot.

His hands stretched forward, grabbing my jaw, almost too rough, almost too hard and our eyes met.

Dark piercing espresso eyes that sealed off cruelty. I let my eyes wander at the close range examining his thick eyebrows that spread on his warm tan skin.

When he leaned closer, my gaze dwindled to his lips and they tilted slightly as he closed the distance.

As our lips brushed, the sound ripped through the vaulted ceiling, bouncing off the walls, shaking the chandeliers above.

“c***k!”

A scream tore out of me as my body jolted, and Nikolai’s hands were suddenly on me, pressing me down.

Bullets ricocheted against marble and glass. Tables splintered. Screams filled the air, sharp and panicked. The perfect, cold wedding became a warzone in seconds.

“Stay down, Valentina!” Nikolai’s voice cut through the chaos, calm but razor-sharp. His hands gripped me firmly, moving me behind a shattered table as another round of shots tore the air.

I pressed my palm against my ears, my chest hammering. Everywhere I looked, men fell or ducked, some screaming, some silent in sudden death.

“Don!” Isa’s voice rang out as she dove for cover beside us.

Nikolai’s eyes scanned the room like a predator. One, two, three moves—each precise, each deadly. He fired, and the attackers faltered, bodies hitting the marble floor with harsh finality.

Glass exploded from the chandeliers above as bullets tore through the air. Screams erupted, echoing off the marble.

After what seemed like eternity, the gunshot ceased and the screams were what remained.

“That's all, Princess,” Isa whispered behind me pulling me up while my chest rose and fell. She finally caught sight of my face and raised a brow, “Sweating this much,” she scoffed before grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet.

My ankle dragged on the floor and I let out a painful yelp causing Isa to gaze down. “I'll treat that for you,” she said as she dragged me through the chaos of the guest.

Dead bodies laid around, blood seeping out of the men. Tables were shattered around, broken glasses on the floor and finally Isa dragged me out, leading me to the same car that brought me.

I held onto the car immediately, letting out shaky breath as the gunshots still reverberated in my ears

“Don,” Isa called beside me and I turned immediately, my gaze resting on Nikolai.

Standing steady, his eyes racked every inch of me while I watched him. Not even a break of sweat was on him. How… how were they so stable when that just happened?

“Very shaky, Don,” Isabella reported and Nikolai's eyes gleamed.

He stepped forward, brushed a strand of air off my face, his fingers grazing my skin as I shuddered. “Welcome to my world, Valentina.”

His lips raised slightly, “now, let's go home.”