The Mafia's Forbidden Bride (The Whole Book)

Prologue

*Bella*

The sound of moaning and groaning coming from my boyfriend's dorm room made me pause mid-knock, my hand hanging in the air.

I froze in place, uncertainty filling me. Upon double-checking, there was no doubt it was unmistakably Bruno's room, Room No. 09.

I lightly touched the door, giving it a slight push, and to my surprise, it was open.

What the hell was going on?! Was he cheating on me?!

Inhaling deeply, I steeled myself and gently pushed the door wider. A silent gasp escaped me as my eyes stung from the shocking scene that unfolded before me.

There, within the dimly lit room, my boyfriend was exposed in his glory, lying on his back. A blonde woman was straddling his hips, riding him feverishly, their bodies moving in a rhythm that shattered my heart into a million pieces. I was too startled to move or make a noise.

Then, I caught a glimpse of the girl. It was Caterina, the most popular girl in our school and the head cheerleader. She was very sexy and gorgeous, the embodiment of every boy's fantasy. But, never in my wildest dreams did I think my boyfriend would cheat on me. Yet, there he was, having s*x with Caterina and I had foolishly come to surprise him, leaving my cousin's birthday party.

“Oh, yes! Oh, yes!” Caterina's shameless moans filled the room as she arched her back, throwing her head back, and her fingers tangled in her own hair, lost in euphoria.

"Ride me harder, babe," Bruno's voice resonated with a husky groan.

"Oh, Bruno!" Caterina moaned as he pulled her down onto him and kissed her passionately.

“Umm… will you leave that boring nerd of a girlfriend? She doesn't deserve you," Caterina purred, riding him quickly as her sensual voice oozed with a teasing tone. Her words snapped me out of my trance.

"Yes, yes, babe! I will do anything you say,” Bruno grunted, his hips thrusting upwards to meet her descent.

"Does she make you feel as good as I do?" Caterina moaned, running her hand on Bruno's bare chest.

"No-f*****g-way. You're so sexy, and Bella doesn't even hold a candle to you. I was already planning to leave her. She's boring and cold like a dead fish," he groaned between clenched teeth as he never stopped thrusting.

So it was my fault that he couldn't turn me on?!

He was with me because he only wanted s*x, and I was under the illusion that he was in love with me

He always wanted to rush things and was so rough with me. His impatience made me feel scared every time. Whenever he forcefully tried to have s*x with me, I freaked out. My whole body would be covered in cold sweat, and I couldn't respond. It was like my body shut down, unable to handle his aggressiveness.

Silent tears traced their path down my cheeks as I watched my boyfriend cheating on me. He said he would wait for me until I was ready.

"Planning to leave me, huh?! You don't even deserve me. I am breaking up with you, Bruno," My voice shook with a fusion of anger, hurt, and betrayal, trembling with each word.

"Bella?!" Bruno's voice filled with shock echoed as his eyes snapped at me, realizing he had been caught red-handed.

"f**k!" He cursed as he quickly disentangled himself from Caterina and stood.

But I didn't stay there; turning on my heel, I swiftly left. Bruno’s desperate voice followed me, but I didn't care.

"Honey, you've got it all wrong. It's not what it looks like," he reasoned as he followed me and grabbed my elbow, stopping me.

I jerked my hand away from his disgusting grasp as I turned to face him, noticing that he had his pants on now.

"Really, Bruno?! Are you seriously trying to convince me that I conjured up a fantasy of you with Caterina in your bed?" My frustration boiled over, and I yelled, my hands involuntarily rising and falling in a gesture of his shameless cheating on me.

"Darling, it was just a weak moment. It means nothing," Bruno tried to explain as he stepped forward, reaching for me. I held out a hand and instinctively took a step back.

"A weak moment?! And you thought it was okay to cheat on me," I spat out in disgust.

Bruno cursed under his breath as he ran a frantic hand through his blond hair.

"Bella! What's your expectation then?" His words dripped with frustration and boredom. "Who in their right mind would choose a girlfriend who's such a damn nerd and can't even get turned on with her boyfriend?" He scowled.

I flinched at his tone and wrapped my arms protectively around myself when his scrutinizing gaze raked over me, assessing my worth as if evaluating my very being.

"Look at you!" He gestured with sweeping hands, a disdainful sneer curling his lips. "Who could possibly be attracted to you? You're not even beautiful. But, I proposed to you to be my girlfriend because I love you."

I knew better than to believe a cheater like him.

Tears that had welled up within me now spilled over, leaving wet trails down my cheeks.

I thought… I thought I had found a perfect guy, and we were happy together, but it was all a facade, a lie and I wouldn't fall for his lies again.

"f**k you, Bruno!" The dam of emotions burst, and my voice quivered with anger as I shouted before delivering a hard slap to his shameless face, the sharp sound of the impact echoing through the corridor.

I didn't stay there for another moment. Spinning around, I ran away, my footsteps echoing in the silent corridor.

I hailed a taxi and swiftly returned to Vincenzo's party where all my family and friends were celebrating. It was well past midnight, and most of the attendees had already departed. The event was winding down, and even my family was preparing to leave.

I didn't want to go home and wanted to be alone right at that moment. So, I implored my mom to allow me to stay back and help Vincenzo with the post-party cleanup. After a brief argument, she reluctantly agreed, and I found myself clutching a cold beer, seeking solace on the moonlit beach after everyone left. The moon cast its silvery glow across the sky, while the rhythmic whispers of the ocean's waves provided a soothing backdrop for my sorrowful heart.

"Hey there!" Vin's deep, sensual voice greeted me as he settled beside me with a beer in hand.

I shivered involuntarily, unsure whether it was his sexy voice or the cold wind causing that effect on me.

"I thought you had decided to stick around to lend a hand," he playfully teased with a mischievous sexy smile tugging at his full lips.

Vin was both my best friend and my cousin. He had been studying at Stanford University but came to Florence to celebrate his twentieth birthday with his family and old friends. His dad, Uncle Xavier, was the Italian Mafia king. Although we weren't blood-related, our parents were very close. Uncle Xavier's dad and my mom’s dad were step-brothers.

"Sorry, Vin. I'll join you in a bit," I murmured, avoiding eye contact.

With a resigned sigh, I downed the last drops of my beer before tossing the empty bottle aside frustratedly. Snatching Vin's beer from his grasp, I took a generous swig.

"Easy there, Petal!" he chuckled, using the nickname he had affectionately given me over the years. "You've already had quite a bit tonight."

I never realized that the first heartbreak could be so painful. I wanted to forget everything and drown myself in alcohol. I didn't care if I passed out from drinking too much. I took another long swig of beer, ignoring Vin's attempt to take it back from my hand.

"Hey, Petal, what's troubling you?" Vin's concerned eyes searched mine for an answer, and I had to look away before I got distracted by his enchanting gaze.

"You will laugh at me," I protested, chugging on my beer.

He chuckled. "No, I won't."

"See, you are already mocking," I scoffed.

"Okay, I won't, and I am serious. You can tell me," he said, his expression becoming serious as he turned to face me completely.

I took a deep breath, looking at the expanse of the large sea.

"I went to see Bruno today," I began, my voice quivering as I struggled to hold back tears. "And guess what?!” I snorted, trying to laugh at my misery. “I found him f*****g a girl in his bed."

"Motherfucker!" Vin cursed under his breath as his anger surfaced in his deep blue eyes. "He's not worthy of being your boyfriend."

A fresh wave of sadness washed over me, and the tears that I had been holding back for so long finally spilled down my cheeks.

"No one wants me as their girlfriend, Vin," I sobbed, remembering Bruno’s hurtful words.

I was the epitome of imperfections. I was a little chubby and my belly wasn't flat like those who spent hours exercising. My face had been covered in pimples since I stepped into my teenage years. No matter how hard I tried, my naturally wavy, sandy blond hair always appeared wild, despite my efforts to manage it. The only appealing feature was my big emerald eyes, which were often hidden behind large, thick glasses. However, I never felt comfortable wearing contact lenses. I never cared much about my appearance. Instead, I preferred spending all my time with books in the library rather than in a salon. I was happy being myself. But it seemed like nobody desired a nerdy girl like me as their girlfriend. Everyone seemed to prefer someone hot and sexy by their side.

"What are you saying, petal? That's far from the truth," Vin's frown deepened.

"Yes, it's true, and I know it," my voice turned heavy with disappointment. "Bruno said he cheated on me because I'm boring and not even beautiful."

I sniffled, pushing my glasses back up my nose.

"He's a bloody asshole," Vin muttered. His voice sounded sharp with frustration.

Leaning closer, he brushed some hair away from my face and gently tucked it behind my ears before delicately removing my glasses from my face, wiping them with the cuff of his long-sleeved T-shirt, and then placing them back onto my eyes. I averted my eyes as something tugged at my heart due to his sweet gesture.

"Look at me, Bella." Touching my chin, he gently turned me to face him, his touch warm and soft as his beautiful gaze peered deeply into mine.

"You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, petal," he spoke with sincerity, his bright, mesmerizing eyes met my teary gaze. He tenderly wiped my cheeks before cupping my face in his large hands. "Bruno's just insecure because he can't handle having a girl as stunning and hot as you. So, he said those things to hurt you because you caught him cheating on you."

His words were like magic, igniting something strange inside me. His bright blue eyes, deep as the ocean, gleamed with unknown emotions, looking at me as if I were the most precious thing on this planet, stirring something in me. I had never felt anything like this before, not even with Bruno.

I didn't know what came over me next. Almost instinctively, my hands reached up, my arms encircling his neck, pulling him toward me. And before my thoughts could catch up, I pressed my lips against his.

He froze as surprise flickered across his eyes. f**k! I didn't know why I kissed him. Was it the alcohol or the overwhelming emotions? I couldn't understand. Confused and embarrassed, I was about to pull away, but then the next instant, his powerful arms encircled my waist, pulling me onto his lap, and instantly deepening the kiss. Our lips met with an intensity fueled by desire and longing, and all rational thoughts left me as we became lost in each other, forgetting about the world.

Before I knew it, Vin was hauling me into a room. We were yanking at each other's clothes, and then he was all over me, staring at me like he had been starving for years, touching me greedily and so intimately. There was not an inch of my body left untouched by his hot and hungry mouth, pleasuring me in ways I never knew existed. With skin against skin and our lips locked passionately, nothing was separating us. Vin turned into a whole different guy—possessive and dominating, knowing exactly what he wanted.

Soon, the room was filled with our moans and groans, a symphony of desire and lust.

The following morning, I awoke naked and nestled in the embrace of his strong arms wrapped around me protectively.

Panic surged through me as the realization hit: I had lost my virginity to a man who was an even more notorious womanizer than my ex-boyfriend.

Oh, God, what did this mean to him?

Rebound s*x?

Perhaps pity s*x?

Or just a fleeting one-night stand?

None of those options were for me.

And... And he was my cousin! What if he regretted it when he woke up?

Confusion, fear, uncertainty, and embarrassment swirled within me, a tumultuous mix of emotions that drove me to slip away before he awoke.