The Rules
798 Words
I stared at the contract for so long that the words began to blur.
One year.
Twelve months of pretending to be married to a man I had met less than twenty-four hours ago.
A man who had watched someone die without blinking.
I looked at Damiano.
“You’re serious.”
“Very.”
I pushed the folder away.
“This isn’t normal.”
He gave me a look that almost seemed amused.
“Neither is what you witnessed last night.”
I hated how easily he said it.
“Why do you need a wife?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he picked up his glass and took a slow sip.
“That’s not your concern.”
“You’re asking me to marry you. I think I’m allowed to know why.”
His jaw tightened.
For the first time, I saw something change in his expression.
Not anger exactly.
More like irritation.
“There are people who believe I’m not ready to take over my family’s business.”
“Your family’s business?”
“The Romano Group.”
I almost laughed.
“You mean the company that supposedly has nothing to do with organized crime?”
His eyes narrowed.
“I’d be careful with accusations like that.”
“I saw what happened last night.”
“And you’re still sitting here.”
I went quiet.
He leaned forward.
“My family has enemies. They believe I’m vulnerable because I haven’t married.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Maybe.”
He slid the contract back toward me.
“Marriage changes how people see you.”
“So you need a wife to look powerful?”
“I need a wife because certain people need to believe I have something to lose.”
I stared at him.
“And I’m that something?”
“You’re the person they’ll believe I care about.”
My stomach twisted.
“Do you?”
He looked at me.
For a second, I thought he might actually answer.
Instead, he said, “Sign the contract.”
I looked down at the papers again.
There were rules.
A lot of them.
Live in his house.
Attend certain events.
No talking to the press about the Romano family.
No leaving the city without informing him.
No bringing strangers into the house.
And one line made me pause.
No romantic involvement with anyone outside the marriage.
I looked up.
“You included this?”
“It’s necessary.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re going to be my wife.”
I scoffed.
“For one year.”
“For one year.”
“And you expect me to follow all these rules?”
“Yes.”
“What if I don’t?”
He leaned back.
“Then the contract ends.”
I blinked.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
I picked up the pen.
My hand hovered over the signature line.
This was insane.
Every sensible part of me was screaming to leave.
But then I remembered the phone call.
Your brother gets home from work at seven, doesn’t he?
I swallowed.
“Will my brother be safe?”
Damiano’s expression changed.
“He won’t be touched.”
“Promise?”
“I don’t make promises.”
I stared at him.
“Then give me your word.”
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Then he nodded.
“My word.”
I signed.
The moment the pen left the paper, I felt like I’d just made the biggest mistake of my life.
Damiano took the contract from me.
He looked at my signature, then at me.
“Good.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
“What did you want?”
“I don’t know.”
He stood.
“Pack a bag.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“You’re coming home with me.”
My mouth fell open.
“Today?”
“Now.”
“You didn’t say anything about moving in immediately.”
“You didn’t read the entire contract.”
I grabbed the folder.
“You’re unbelievable.”
He walked toward the door.
I followed him, still angry.
“Damiano.”
He stopped.
I nearly walked into him.
He turned around.
“What?”
“I agreed to marry you. That doesn’t mean you own me.”
His eyes dropped briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes.
“I know.”
His voice was quieter this time.
“That’s why you should be afraid.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
He opened the door.
“Because I have no intention of treating you like something I own.”
He stepped aside, letting me pass.
“I’m going to treat you like my wife.”
I didn’t know what that meant.
And somehow, that scared me more.
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