His House,His Rules
865 Words
The drive to Damiano’s house was painfully quiet.
I sat in the back seat, staring out the window while Manhattan passed by in a blur of lights and traffic.
I still couldn’t believe what I’d done.
I’d signed a marriage contract.
With a mafia boss.
A man I’d met because I accidentally witnessed a murder.
I glanced at Damiano through the rearview mirror.
He was sitting beside me, looking through his phone as if this were just another normal day.
“Do you always kidnap women and make them sign marriage contracts?” I asked.
He didn’t look up.
“No.”
“Good.”
“You’re the first.”
I turned toward him.
“That wasn’t supposed to make me feel better.”
“I wasn’t trying to.”
I rolled my eyes and looked out the window again.
After another fifteen minutes, the car turned through a set of enormous black gates.
I sat up.
The house wasn’t really a house.
It was a mansion.
Dark stone walls, huge windows, perfectly trimmed gardens, and security guards positioned around the property.
I stared.
“You live here?”
“Yes.”
“Alone?”
“No.”
That answer came too quickly.
I looked at him.
“Who else?”
“My staff.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.”
Of course he did.
The car stopped in front of the entrance.
Damiano stepped out first.
I followed.
A woman in her fifties approached us. She looked at me, then at Damiano.
Her eyes widened slightly.
“Sir.”
“Mrs. Rossi.”
He nodded toward me.
“She’s Elena.”
The woman smiled politely.
“Welcome, Miss.”
I forced a smile.
“Thank you.”
“She’s your wife now,” Damiano added.
I nearly choked.
The woman blinked.
“Your wife?”
“Not officially yet.”
He glanced at me.
“But soon.”
I wanted to disappear.
Instead, I followed him inside.
The mansion was even more impressive from the inside.
Everything looked expensive without trying too hard.
Marble floors. Dark wooden walls. Huge paintings.
But despite how beautiful it was, I didn’t feel comfortable.
It didn’t feel like a home.
It felt like a fortress.
Damiano walked upstairs.
I followed.
He stopped in front of a large bedroom and opened the door.
“This is yours.”
I stepped inside.
The room was bigger than my entire apartment.
A king-sized bed sat in the middle, with a balcony overlooking the gardens.
I turned around.
“You’re giving me this room?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s yours?”
“Across the hall.”
I nodded slowly.
At least I wouldn’t have to share a bed with him.
Then he added, “For now.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“What does that mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.”
“Damiano.”
He walked away.
“Get some rest. We have dinner with my family tonight.”
I stared after him.
“Tonight?”
He stopped at the doorway.
“You’re my wife now. They should meet you.”
“I’m not your wife yet.”
He looked over his shoulder.
“You signed the contract.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“It will be.”
Then he left.
I closed the door behind him and leaned against it.
I had known Damiano for less than a day.
Already, he was getting under my skin.
I walked toward the balcony and opened the doors.
Cold air brushed against my face.
For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe.
Then I noticed something.
A black car was parked near the far gate.
There was someone sitting inside.
Watching the house.
I stepped closer to the glass.
The car didn’t move.
My heart began beating faster.
Maybe I was imagining things.
Maybe it was just security.
I reached for my phone.
Before I could call anyone, the car drove away.
I stood there, staring at the empty road.
A knock came at my door.
I turned.
Damiano stood there.
His expression had completely changed.
“What did you see?”
I swallowed.
“Nothing.”
He stared at me.
“Elena.”
I hesitated.
“There was a car outside.”
His face hardened.
“What kind?”
“Black. I couldn’t see who was inside.”
He walked past me toward the balcony.
I followed.
“Why?”
He looked down at the gates.
Then he pulled out his phone.
“Call security.”
He made a call.
His voice was low and controlled.
I watched him.
Something had changed.
This wasn’t the calm man from the restaurant anymore.
This was the man I’d seen last night.
The man everyone feared.
He ended the call and looked at me.
“Stay inside.”
“Why?”
“Because someone just found out you’re here.”
My stomach dropped.
“Who?”
His eyes met mine.
“One of my enemies.”
He stepped closer.
“And now that you’re my wife, Elena…”
His gaze darkened.
“…you’re their target too.”
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