Owned by the enemy

“This day finally came,” I scoffed. ” My wedding to the Don of the Italian Mafia was today— a man I have never met, never even seen in a photograph. The only memory I have about him came from rumors and whispers, some say he is the most ruthless man on earth, that one of his eyes has been scorched out and he had a hook for a hand.” I whispered to myself. Okay, maybe I was exaggerating that last part. “ But he is a monster.” I said. I paced around my bedroom, biting my nails as fear settled in me, I was afraid of who I might actually meet in the altar. The door opened and my best friend, Isabella, walked in holding three different types of wedding dress. “ You need to stop over thinking it.” She said. “ You can't tell me not to worry, Isabella.” I said, “ you are not the one getting married to a one - eyed monster.” Isabella chuckled at my misery. “ That's fair but you need to give him the benefit of the doubt.” She said, “you don't know, if he could be your prince charming or your Knight in shining armour.” “ Very funny.” I said, letting out a sarcastic laugh. Isabella dropped the gowns on the bed, placing her hand on my shoulder, guiding me toward the chair in front of my dressing mirror. “ Take a seat, Mia.” I obeyed her without hesitation. Her eyes locked onto mine through the mirror. “ Look at yourself, Mia.” She said, “ you are hot, beautiful and sexy, remember why we are doing this, remember why this merge is so important, if you get married to Dax, you save your father's business and your father is the only family you have left.” My throat tightened. “ so fake a smile.” She continued, voice lower this time “ And if all this doesn't work out, we could always run away.” Isabella's words sank into my head, I forced a smile just enough to please her. “ Now," Isabella said brightly, “ let 's look at wedding dresses.” I stood up and followed her to the bed, my heart pounding with regret. Wedding time came, the cathedral felt like a fortress, guards at every entrance, every corner, it only meant one thing – my future husband was close. The air smelled of incense and something darker, maybe it was my fear or something else. The aisle felt impossibly long, every step toward the altar felt like a countdown, eyes fixed on me, as my heart pounded in fear and regret. Hundreds of people gathered to witness a wedding that wasn’t true, wasn't real —men in tailored suits with expensive watches, women draped in luxury gowns whispering about me. I got to the altar and waited, seconds passed and so did minutes, my future husband hadn't yet arrived for our wedding. I felt disappointed even though it was a marriage of convenience and alliance, I still felt a part of me shatter, was I that bad. The doors slam open and Dax Leone walks into his own wedding covered in blood. Not some few splatter but soaked in a man's blood. His white shirt was completely ruined, conversation grew louder, as I could feel people's eyes judging him. He walks down the aisle, people's eyes fixed on him, I could hear the priest chanting some kind of exorcism spell. He wasn’t the monster I expected, both eyes were intact and I could see the darkness in those eyes. Dax finally arrives at the altar and stands in front of me, he doesn’t explain the blood, he doesn’t apologize for keeping me waiting, he just offers his hand and I take it. His expression was cold and controlled,with a strong jaw line and a faint scar slicing through one eyebrow. He looked less like a demon and more like a king who knew how to make the world bend to his will. When his gaze met mine, the air shifted. I felt the heat between us. He didn’t look surprised or pleased with my appearance , he just kept assessing me. I stood up straight, If he thought I would be a coward or I was afraid of him, he was wrong. The ceremony passed like a blur. Latin words, exchange of rings and vows that sounded more like contracts than promises. Dax’s hand closed around mine, his grip was firm, possessive and warm. The priest finally pronounced us husband and wife saying “ You may now kiss the bride.” Dax leaned in slowly, his lips brushed mine, before I could debate about the situation. The kiss sent shivers down my spine and the crowd exploded in applause and cheers. I could hear my best friend cheering louder than anyone. He pulled away but his mouth lingered just long enough for me to hear him murmur, “Don’t mistake this for love.” He said harshly I stiffened. The reception was more lively, champagne, wine and music was everywhere but so were watchful eyes. Every move I made was monitored from jealous girls to families of higher hierarchy. Dax stayed close but distant at the same time, speaking to men who were part of the seven hierarchy family; those men bowed slightly when he approached them. Power followed dax like a shadow, fear stood beside him, influence had his back and he money bowed before him and I was already a part of those benefits. Dax made his way toward me, his hand settled at my waist, it wasn’t affectionate, It was a warning. The music softened and the guests were distracted, he leaned down. “We’re leaving.” He said. I blinked at him, “Already?” I asked him. His gripped tightened, his expression cold. “Now.” He said. I couldn’t define him, so I quietly followed him out of the party to the parking lot where a sleek black car waited for us. The door opened and once inside, the silence grew heavy. I folded my hands in my lap. “We could have waited a little.” I said. His jaw flexed. “ Be careful.” He told me. “ or what” I said , “ I am not afraid of you, the other family may fear you but I don't.” I said. “You will learn,” he said coldly. “ They always do.” The car stopped at a private estate surrounded by iron gates and armed guards. His home — Our home. We made our way Inside, marble floors gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers. It was beautiful in a way but it also felt dangerous at the same time. Dax led me upstairs to a bedroom large enough for six people. “This is where you will sleep,” he said. “ And You.” I asked anxiously. He turned slowly, eyes darkening.“Don’t flatter yourself, Princess, this marriage is business, you stay out of my affairs and I protect your family name, we coexist in this house, nothing more, nothing less."He said. Something inside me bristled. “I wasn't thinking about anything.” I said, “ geez, is this how you treat all your wives.” A flash of something crossed his face—amusement and maybe irritation. “ point of correction, it isn't wives, it is wife and you are the first.” He said. Silence stretched between us. He stepped closer, too close. “You should know something,” he murmured. “I don’t lose, I don’t forgive betrayal and I don’t marry women I can’t control.” He lifted my chin up. “Then you made a mistake.” I said. For the first time, a slow, dangerous smile curved his lips. “Good,” he said softly. “I was hoping you’d be a challenge.” His gaze dropped to my mouth just for a second, the tension between us felt heavy. Then he stepped back, breaking the spell. “Get some rest, Mia,” he said. “Tomorrow, I want to see what you are made of.” The door closed behind him, leaving me breathless, heart racing not with fear this time, but something far more dangerous. “ Desire.” I whispered out loud.