The Mafia Boss's Stolen Bride

Chapter 1 Failed Escape

"No! I won't marry him!"

Sophia Romano struggled desperately, the hem of her white wedding gown stained with dirt, her high heels long since lost somewhere. Behind her came the roar of a car engine, getting closer and closer.

Damn it! So close!

She looked back, three black Mercedes Benz sped from the direction of the manor, and the license plate of the car in the lead was familiar to her - it was Alexander Volkov's car.

This cold-blooded Russian mafia godfather, the absolute ruler of Chicago's underground world.

Two hours earlier, at the breathtakingly lavish wedding venue, when the priest had asked "yes or no," Sophia had flung her bouquet, lifted up her dress, and run away in front of three hundred guests.

"Miss Romano, please don't embarrass Boss."

An ice-cold male voice came from behind. She turned around violently and realized that she was already surrounded by four black-clothed bodyguards. The leader was Alexander's right-hand man - Marcus, a ruthless character who could kill with a single look.

"My father's debt, why should I pay it?" Sophia gritted her teeth, her long black hair messy on her cheeks, her green eyes burning with unyielding fury.

"Because you are the only heir to the Romano family." Marcus's face was expressionless, "Debts are linked, that's the rule."

"What bullshit rules!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, a large hand clasped her wrist from behind.

Sophia's heart stopped and she slowly turned her head.

Alexander Volkov was standing less than half a meter behind her, and his bottomless gray eyes were gazing at her coldly. Even after the chase he had just gone through, his three-piece suit was still neatly and meticulously clean, and even his tie was not crooked for a single point.

This man was always like this, always calm, always in control.

"The price of running away, you can't afford it." His voice was low and magnetic, yet shudderingly dangerous.

Sophia forced herself to look him straight in the eye, "Then kill me! It's better than marrying a demon like you!"

Alexander's thin lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, "Kill you? Wouldn't my thirty million dollar investment be wasted then?"

"I'm not a commodity!"

"In my opinion, you are." He let go of her wrist and straightened his cufflinks, "And a limited edition that I paid good money for."

Fucking asshole!

Sophia was shaking with rage, but there was nothing she could do about it. The huge gambling debt her father owed before he died, plus the compounded interest from the loan sharks, was indeed astronomical. And Alexander's terms are simple: either she marries him, or all of the Romano family's estates will be repossessed, including the tiny florist store her mother left behind when she was alive.

"I gave you a choice." Alexander turned toward the car, "But now, you don't have one."

Marcus stepped forward and took her arm without a second thought.

"Wait!" Sophia snapped, "I have conditions!"

Alexander stops and looks sideways, "You think you're in a position to bargain?"

"I want to keep my mother's flower store." She forced herself to calm down, "Also, I need my space and freedom. I won't be your caged bird."

"Interesting." Alexander turned fully around and looked at her with interest, "And the other conditions?"

Sophia froze. She had expected this cold-blooded man to refuse, but she didn't realize he was actually listening?

"I... I want to keep the last name Romano." She said tentatively.

"Can. And?"

"I won't be in the same room as you... share a room. It's just a business union."

This time, Alexander was silent for a full ten seconds. The air around him seemed to freeze, and even the bodyguards were afraid to make a sound.

"Are you sure you want to make that offer?" He walked slowly towards her, each step seemed to step on her heart.

Sophia bit her lower lip, "Sure."

Alexander stepped in front of her and reached out to cupped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. The two were so close she could smell the faint scent of his cologne.

"Very well. I accept your terms." He suddenly let go, "But in exchange, you must behave like a proper wife in all public places. Any behavior that embarrasses me will have consequences."

"What consequences?"

Alexander didn't answer, just gave her a meaningful look before turning to the car.

"Come on, Mrs. Volkov," Marcus opened the door, "Boss doesn't like to be late."

Sitting in the back seat of the Mercedes, Sophia looked out the window at the scenery flying by with mixed feelings. She knew she had just made Alexander look at her differently - that look, no longer just cold, but a hint of... Curiosity?

Perhaps this cold-blooded mafia godfather wasn't completely incomprehensible.

At least, she'd bought herself some space.

The car drove towards Alexander's private estate on the outskirts of town. Through the rearview mirror, Sophia saw Alexander answering the phone, speaking Russian at a rapid pace with a tone of suppressed anger.

It seemed that her escape had not only screwed up the wedding, it had caused him other problems.

Well, at least that proved she wasn't completely defenseless.

Sophia took a deep breath as the gates of the lavish estate slowly opened before her. Whatever awaited her, she would not give in.

The daughter of the Romano family would never admit defeat so easily.

"Welcome home, Sophia," Alexander said as he stepped out of the car and walked over to her, holding out his arm.

Sophia ignored his gentlemanly gesture and got out of the car herself.

"This isn't my home."

"It is now." A dark light flashed in his eyes, "And soon, you'll love it here."

Just then, a middle-aged woman stepped out from within the gates of the manor, dressed in a black uniform with a serious face.

"This is Elena, the estate's housekeeper. She will arrange everything for you." Alexander introduced, "Elena, this is my wife."

"Pleased to meet you, ma'am." Elena bowed slightly, but Sophia read something in her eyes... Hostility?

"Take her to the master bedroom." Alexander threw that down and strutted towards the manor.

Elena gave Sophia a cold look, "Please follow me, ma'am."

Following Elena into the manor, Sophia was shocked by the luxury of the place. Italian marble floors, Czech crystal chandeliers, and famous paintings of great value hung on the walls.

But it all had an air of coldness, just like its owner.

"This is your room." Elena pushed open a heavy oak door.

The room was large and exquisitely decorated, but what surprised Sophia was - there were two beds here?

"Mr. Alexander was considerate enough to prepare separate beds, considering that you might need time to get used to it." Elena's tone didn't have an ounce of warmth in it, "But I would like to remind you that very few women can resist his charms."

Sophia caught the meaning of Elena's words keenly.

"Are you one of them?" She asked directly.

Elena's face changed, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"It doesn't matter, I'm not interested in your past anyway." Sophia walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, "But there is one thing I must make clear-whoever you are, there is now a mistress in this house."

Elena clenched her fists, "You... Do you think a letter of marriage makes you the mistress of this place?"

"At least that's what the law thinks." Sophia turned and smiled gracefully, "Now, I need to shower and change. Please get me some clothes that fit, and dinner."

Elena grits her teeth, "Yes, ma'am."

Sophia finally relaxes as Elena closes the door and leaves. She sat paralyzed on the edge of the bed, her hands trembling over her face.

God, where had she just gotten the courage to confront that woman?

But she knew that in this den of wolves, she had to show strength from the start or she would be eaten without even a bone left.

After taking a shower, Sophia found that her closet was already full of women's clothes of all styles, from everyday clothes to evening dresses, all in her size.

It seemed Alexander knew her body like the back of his hand.

The realization sent chills down her back.