The rain started suddenly.
Heavy drops crashed against the pavement as Elena Rossi hurried down the empty street, clutching her thin coat tightly around her body.
Her shift at the small café had ended late again. The owner had insisted she clean the kitchen before leaving, and now the streets were nearly deserted.
Elena sighed softly.
Life had not been easy since her father died two years ago. Bills kept piling up, and sometimes she had to work two jobs just to survive.
But tonight felt… strange.
A cold shiver crawled down her spine as she walked past an abandoned warehouse.
The streetlights flickered.
Something wasn't right.
She slowed her steps.
Then she heard voices.
Low.
Dangerous.
Men's voices.
Elena frowned.
Curiosity pulled her closer before her mind could stop her.
She stepped toward the alley beside the warehouse.
And that was the moment her life changed forever.
A sharp voice echoed from inside.
"Please… please don't kill me!"
Elena froze.
Her heart started pounding.
She shouldn't be here.
She should walk away.
Right now.
But before she could move, another voice answered.
Cold.
Deep.
Terrifyingly calm.
"You should have thought about that before betraying me."
Elena's breath caught.
Slowly—very slowly—she peeked around the corner.
Three men stood under the dim warehouse light.
Two large men held another man by the arms.
And standing in front of them was a tall figure dressed in a black suit.
Even from a distance, his presence was overwhelming.
Powerful.
Dominant.
Dangerous.
The man struggling looked terrified.
"Luca… please," he begged. "I swear I didn't tell them anything!"
Elena's eyes widened.
Luca?
The name sounded familiar.
Before she could think further—
The man in the black suit raised a gun.
Her stomach dropped.
"No—!"
The gunshot exploded through the night.
The sound echoed like thunder.
Elena gasped, quickly covering her mouth.
The victim collapsed to the ground instantly.
Dead.
Her entire body began trembling.
Oh God.
Oh God.
She had just witnessed a murder.
The man in the suit lowered the gun slowly.
His expression remained completely emotionless.
One of the guards spoke.
"What should we do with the body, boss?"
Boss.
Elena's mind spun.
The man stepped forward into the light.
And Elena finally saw his face clearly.
Sharp jawline.
Dark hair slicked back.
Cold grey eyes that looked like they had never known mercy.
He was terrifyingly handsome.
But the darkness surrounding him made her heart pound with fear.
"Dispose of it," he said calmly.
His voice was deep and commanding.
Elena's breath hitched.
And then—
Her foot slipped on the wet pavement.
A small sound escaped her lips.
Too loud.
Too obvious.
The men froze.
The grey-eyed man turned his head slowly.
His gaze shot directly toward the alley.
Straight at her hiding place.
Elena's blood ran cold.
For a moment, the world went silent.
Then one of the guards shouted.
"Someone's there!"
Panic exploded inside her chest.
Run.
RUN!
Elena turned and sprinted down the street.
Her heart pounded violently as rain soaked through her clothes.
Behind her, heavy footsteps followed.
"Stop her!"
Oh no.
Oh no.
Oh no.
She ran faster.
Her lungs burned.
Her shoes slipped against the wet pavement.
But the men chasing her were faster.
Much faster.
Suddenly a strong arm grabbed her wrist.
Elena screamed.
"Let me go!"
The guard spun her around roughly.
She struggled desperately, trying to break free.
"Please! I didn't see anything!"
Another man grabbed her other arm.
"You shouldn't have been snooping around," he growled.
Terror flooded her chest.
She was going to die.
Tears filled her eyes.
Then the guards suddenly stopped moving.
Someone had approached.
The air changed instantly.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Elena slowly lifted her head.
And her heart nearly stopped.
The man in the black suit stood in front of her.
The same man who had pulled the trigger.
Up close, he looked even more intimidating.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Cold eyes studying her carefully.
Rain dripped down his dark hair.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Just stared.
Like a predator examining prey.
Elena's voice trembled.
"Please… I won't tell anyone."
Silence.
The guards tightened their grip on her arms.
"Should we kill her, boss?" one of them asked casually.
Elena's stomach twisted.
Kill her?
Just like that?
Her entire body shook.
The grey-eyed man stepped closer.
His gaze scanned her face slowly.
Then something strange happened.
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Elena noticed.
His eyes narrowed.
"Rossi?" he said suddenly.
Elena blinked in confusion.
"H-how do you know my name?"
The man's gaze sharpened.
"What is your full name?"
Her throat felt dry.
"E-Elena Rossi."
A long silence followed.
The guards exchanged confused glances.
The powerful man seemed deep in thought.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Release her."
The guards immediately obeyed.
Elena stumbled forward slightly, shocked.
She rubbed her sore wrists.
"Boss?" one of the guards said carefully.
"She saw everything."
The man ignored him.
His cold eyes remained fixed on Elena.
"You said your name is Elena Rossi," he repeated.
"Yes."
"Your father's name."
"My father?"
"Yes."
"Antonio Rossi."
The moment she said the name, something flashed across his face.
Recognition.
The man took a slow breath.
Then he spoke in a voice colder than before.
"Interesting."
Elena didn't understand what was happening.
"Please," she whispered. "I promise I won't tell anyone about tonight."
The guards looked skeptical.
But the man stepped closer.
So close she could feel the heat of his body.
His grey eyes locked onto hers.
"You won't tell anyone," he said quietly.
"Because from this moment on…"
He paused.
And Elena's heart skipped.
"You belong to me."
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
The guards looked surprised too.
"You're joking, boss?" one asked.
But the man's expression remained serious.
Deadly serious.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it calmly.
Rain continued pouring around them.
Elena felt completely lost.
"Why?" she whispered.
The man exhaled smoke slowly.
"Because if you walk away tonight," he said calmly,
"My enemies will find you."
Her stomach twisted.
"And when they do…"
His eyes darkened.
"They will torture you until you tell them everything you saw."
Fear crawled down her spine.
"I won't tell them!"
"You don't understand the world you just stepped into."
He leaned slightly closer.
"So I'll make this simple."
His voice turned dangerously soft.
"You have two choices."
Elena's heart pounded.
"Choice one," he continued.
"I kill you right now."
Her breath caught.
"Choice two…"
He paused.
And his next words shattered her world.
"You marry me."
Elena stared at him in shock.
"What?!"
The guards were equally stunned.
"You can't be serious, boss."
But the man didn't look away from Elena.
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Certain.
"I never joke."
Elena shook her head quickly.
"This is insane!"
"Maybe."
"But it will keep you alive."
Her mind spun wildly.
Marriage?
To a murderer?
To a mafia boss?
She didn't even know his name.
"I refuse," she said immediately.
The man tilted his head slightly.
"Are you sure about that?"
His grey eyes looked toward the dead body behind him.
Then back at her.
Elena's stomach dropped.
Reality hit her like a brick.
This man was capable of anything.
Slowly… tears filled her eyes.
"You're forcing me," she whispered.
"Yes."
Her hands trembled.
"Why?"
For the first time, something dark flickered across his face.
"Because your father once saved my life."
Elena froze.
"My father?"
"Yes."
"And now," he said quietly,
"I'm returning the favor."
She stared at him helplessly.
Then he stepped closer and spoke the words that would trap her forever.
"My name is Luca De Santis."
Her breath caught.
The name hit her like thunder.
Everyone in the city knew that name.
The most feared mafia king.
And now—
She was going to become his bride.