The Mafia Boss's Stolen Bride

Chapter 2 A Dangerous Game

Sophia turned stiffly and realized that Alexander had somehow stood at the top of the stairs and was watching her with interest.

"I... I just wanted to go downstairs for dinner." She forced herself to be calm.

"Yeah?" Alexander walked slowly down the stairs, each step like he was closing in on his prey, "Then you should have just gone downstairs instead of hiding around the corner and eavesdropping."

"I wasn't eavesdropping!"

"Lying isn't a good habit either." Alexander stepped in front of her and reached up to ruffle a strand of hair from the side of her cheek, "But it's okay, you were going to find out sooner or later anyway."

Sophia took a step back to avoid his touch, "Know what?"

"Know what it takes to survive in this world." Alexander's eyes grew deep, "Power, Sophia. absolute power."

"I'm not interested in your mafia games."

"Unfortunately, you're part of the game now." Alexander turned toward the dining room, "Come to dinner, we need to talk about tomorrow's arrangements."

In the dining room, Elena had prepared a sumptuous dinner. Italian seafood pasta, French lamb chops, and a bottle of 1982 French red wine.

"Are all you mafia this extravagant?" Sophia asked sarcastically as she sat across from Alexander.

"I'm not mafia." Alexander elegantly sliced the lamb chops, "I'm a businessman."

"What kind of businessman needs so many bodyguards?"

"A smart businessman." Alexander raised his eyes to hers, "You know, Sophia, your father begged me to take care of you before he died."

The fork in Sophia's hand stopped in mid-air, "What?"

"He said you were a good girl and shouldn't have to pay for his mistakes." Alexander's voice became soft, "So I gave you a choice."

"A choice?" Sophia angrily puts down her cutlery, "Being forced to be your wife, you call that a choice?"

"At least it's better than dying at the hands of the Moretti family." Alexander's words instantly brought the atmosphere in the restaurant down to freezing point, "Do you think I'm the only one interested in the Romano family's debts?"

Sophia felt a chill run down her spine, "What do you mean?"

"Giovanni Moretti wants that debt too. But he does it in a much crueler way than I do." Alexander put down his knife and fork and looked at her seriously, "He'll make you work in his club and pay off every penny. You know what kind of club I'm talking about."

Sophia blushed. Of course she knew the unseemly properties the Moretti family ran.

"So becoming my wife really is the best thing you can do." Alexander picked up his cutlery again, "At least I can keep you safe and dignified."

"And what do you get out of it?" Sophia tried to calm herself, "Don't tell me you're doing this out of the kindness of your heart."

Alexander smiled, it was the first time she had ever seen him truly smile, not in a sneer, not in sarcasm, but with a hint of... Appreciation?

"Clever. I do have my purposes." He admitted, "The Romano family's influence in Chicago is in decline, but it still has some value. And..." He paused, "You're more interesting than I thought."

"Interesting?"

"Most women are either fearful or greedy when they see me. But you're different." Alexander's eyes grew deep, "You have fire, Sophia. i like a woman with fire."

Sophia felt her cheeks burning and hurriedly looked down to continue eating. Damn, she was actually aroused by this dangerous man's words?

"You need to accompany me to the charity dinner tomorrow night." Alexander continued, "All of Chicago's high society will be there, including the mayor, the police commissioner, and the heads of other families."

"Can I decline?"

"Of course." Alexander's answer took her by surprise, "But then everyone would think my wife doesn't support me. That's a very dangerous signal in this circle."

Sophia understood. It wasn't a choice, it was a threat.

"What kind of dress do I need?" She asked.

"Elena will prepare it for you." Alexander stood up, "One more thing, you will meet a lot of people tomorrow. Remember, no matter what they say, you are my wife. That status will protect you and bring you danger."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that from now on, your every move represents me. And I have many enemies." Alexander walked over to her and touched her shoulder lightly, "But don't worry, I'll protect you."

His touch made Sophia tense all over, but she forced herself not to blink.

"And what if I don't want your protection?"

"Then you'll have to prove yourself capable of defending yourself." Alexander leaned in close to her ear, his hot breath spraying over her skin, "But right now, it seems you're not even close."

With that, he straightened up and left the restaurant without looking back.

Sophia sat where she was, her heart beating wildly. There was a deadly charm about this man, dangerous yet mesmerizing.

Even more frightening, she found herself actually looking forward to tomorrow night's dinner party.

The next afternoon, Elena delivered Sophia a long, navy blue velvet gown with a simple, elegant design, but cut to perfectly accentuate the curves of her figure.

"Mr. Alexander picked it out himself." Elena said with a grimace, "And the jewelry."

She opened a jewelry box and inside lay a set of sapphire jewelry, a necklace, earrings, and a ring.

"These are worth a fortune, aren't they?" Sophia picks up the necklace, the sapphires shimmering enchantingly in the light.

"More expensive than you think." Elena said coldly, "So please be careful."

Sophia was keenly aware of the hostility in Elena's tone, "Do you have something against me?"

Elena froze for a moment, then resumed her expressionless face, "I'm just doing my duty."

"Your duties do not include being aloof to your Mistress." Sophia stood up and looked Elena straight in the eye, "I don't know what your relationship with Alexander was before, but right now, I'm the mistress of this house."

"Mistress?" Elena finally showed her true expression - one of anger and mockery, "Do you think that just because you put on a nice gown and expensive jewelry that you're the mistress of this place?"

"At least it's better than a jealous woman hiding in the shadows." Sophia showed no weakness.

Elena's face turned ironic, "You don't know Mr. Alexander at all! He's just toying with you! When he gets tired of playing with you, you'll be discarded like the other women!"

"Other women?" Sophia's heart tightened, but her surface remained calm, "Including you?"

A trace of pain flashed in Elena's eyes, "I... I've worked for Mr. Alexander for ten years, I know his every habit, every preference. I was better suited to stand by his side than anyone else!"

"But it was me he chose." Sophia walked up to Elena, her voice soft but powerful, "Elena, I respect your contribution to this family, but that doesn't mean you can be rude to me. We can live together peacefully or we can be enemies. The choice is yours."

Elena bit her lip, anger and resentment clearly visible in her eyes. But in the end, she lowered her head.

"Yes, ma'am. I apologize for my rudeness just now."

"Apology accepted." Sophia's tone became gentle again, "Now, please help me put my hair up. I want to look my best for the dinner tonight."

Elena silently styled her hair, but Sophia could feel the hatred in her eyes.

It seemed that the danger in this manor did not only come from external enemies.

At 7:00 p.m., Sophia stood at the top of the stairs in that dark blue gown. As she slowly walked down the stairs, Alexander downstairs raised his head.

In that moment, Sophia saw a flash of amazement in his eyes.

Alexander was wearing a black tuxedo with a white bowtie tonight, and his whole person had an aristocratic elegance. Anyone who didn't know who he really was would think he was the perfect gentleman.

"You're beautiful, Sophia," Alexander said as he walked to the bottom of the stairs and extended his arm.

This time, Sophia didn't refuse. She gently took his arm, feeling his firm muscles and warm body heat.

"Thanks. You're also very... Handsome." She admitted.

Alexander raised an eyebrow, "Handsome? I thought you were going to say dangerous."

"Dangerous men are often the most attractive as well." As soon as the words left her mouth, Sophia regretted them. How could she have said such a thing?

Alexander's smile grew deeper, "Careful, Sophia. that thought is dangerous."

"Why?"

"Because danger is addictive." He leaned in close to whisper in her ear, "And I'm the most dangerous kind of man."

Sophia felt her heart beat wildly, but she forced herself to stay calm, "I'll be careful then."

"I hope you won't." Alexander's words made her freeze, but before she could react, he had released her arm, "The car is waiting outside. Tonight, show Chicago what a real couple is."

The luxurious Rolls Royce sedan slowly pulled out of the estate's gates.Sophia sat next to Alexander, her palms sweaty with nervousness.

"Take it easy." Alexander held her hand, "Remember, you are my wife. In that world, that status will give you enough protection and respect."

"And what if someone provokes me?"

"Then they are provoking me." Alexander's voice turned cold, "No one would dare."

The car pulls up in front of one of Chicago's most exclusive hotels. The red carpet, the flashing lights, the reporters, everything looked like a scene from a movie.

The moment Alexander and Sophia stepped out of the car, all the flashing lights were aimed at them.

"Mr. Volkov! Is this your new wife?"

"May I ask what your response is to yesterday's wedding fiasco?"

"Miss Romano, why did you choose to marry Mr. Volkov?"

Alexander still maintained his perfect smile for the camera, but Sophia could feel the muscles in his arms tighten.

"My wife is beautiful, isn't she?" Alexander said to the camera before looking down and placing a light kiss on Sophia's forehead, "As for the wedding, little mishap. Newlyweds always have a little fun."

The reporters roared with laughter and Sophia's cheeks reddened, but she tried to keep a graceful smile on her face.

Upon entering the ballroom, Sophia was blown away by the opulence before her. With crystal chandeliers, flower decorations, and gorgeously dressed guests, it was like a fairy tale.

But she quickly realized that fairy tales also had evil dragons.

"Alexander, my dear friend!" A voice came from behind.

Sophia turned to see an old man with gray hair approaching them, suited but with beady eyes.

"Giovanni," Alexander's voice turned cold instantly, "I didn't expect you to be here."

Giovanni Moretti, she immediately recognized the man. the old man Alexander mentioned last night who wanted to challenge his authority.