Dante I looked into Sienna’s eyes and knew I could trust her with this, trust her with my lie and my truth. She might see me in a completely different light after she finds out that I am not who they made me out to be. The thought alone scared me half to fucking death, but I needed to tell her. She needs to know. “Before I became the man they call il Drago, I was very much like Dario, who took after our mother. My father saw my kind heart and decided to rip it out and burn it from my body.” I take her hand and move it across the bumps that mar my chest and back. “These scars all over my body are from what is known as Dragonetti Blood Training. Before we become made men, they train us to shut off our emotions through daily torture administered by our Capo. In our case, it was our father. He always saw me as weak and would repeat the term with every burn, cut and hit my body took. Dario somehow snuck into the basement one night at the height of my torture and saw what was being done t

Sylvana This can’t be happening. No, no, no! Didn’t the stupid Russians dispose of them? What did we pay them for?! The man who I tried to get away from now had my hair tangled in his fists and was pulling me towards a waiting car outside our mansion. I tried to push him, try to fight him off, but it was of no use; Domenico Dragonetti was stronger than I could ever hope to be. “Stop squirming or I’ll be forced to knock you out and trust me I am pissed off enough to not be gentle, Sylvana.” He says through gritted teeth. When he says my name, a shiver runs up my spine and I am disgusted with myself. The elder brother, the one who terrified me, had gone into my father’s room to ‘leave a message’ as he said and returned with bloodied hands. The sight alone broke through me, but I wasn’t about to show it, especially not in front of Domenico. He pushes me into the SUV and a few minutes later; we drive away - away from my father and away from my home. I look down at my shackled hands an

Sylvana I dressed down in a pair of jeans, a white blouse and some flats… then I waited. What else was there to do but wait? Sitting on the enormous bed, I drew my legs up to my chin and breathed out a sigh. Domenico came in here, and as soon as he saw me naked, something snapped in him. The worst part was I allowed it to happen. I didn’t push him away; I didn’t stop him. So, it wasn’t fair that I put all the blame on him. Craving Domenico’s dominance is one thing, submitting to him is another altogether. How did we even start talking at the wedding? One minute I was angry at my father for bringing me here, the next Domenico was fucking me against the wall of a guest room. My father did not train me to be a Mafia Princess, saving myself for my wedding day. No, I quite enjoyed casual sex, but the one time with him was anything but casual. Once I got a taste, he was embedded in my mind and wrapped in my senses. Now look at me; a prisoner. I’m so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I

Sylvana A few hours later, Sienna walks in, holding a garment bag with a smile on her face. “Hey,” she says with a small voice, but I could only force out my own smile. “Alessandro has arrived, the ceremony will begin in two hours.” My eyes widen at this. I was hoping they would call it off or someone would speak some sense into Dante, but no. By this evening I would be Mrs Dragonetti. She walks toward the bed and places the garment bag on the bed. I look up at her. “I’m not worth the effort, Sienna. Just leave me to be miserable and enjoy it. I ruined your life, I don’t deserve your kindness.” I say while facing away from her. Our conversation earlier has been plaguing my mind non-stop and I knew Dante was right - it was all my fault. Her inability to produce an heir for Dante was because of me. “Sylvana,” she starts, sitting on the bed next to me and sighs. “No, you made a mistake. But you can still rectify it. I know you would rather die than be here right now, but sometimes we

Sylvana Domenico pulls me in tighter, wrapping his arms around my waist and savouring the moment. I could taste the vodka he had earlier - the bitter tinge was a contrast to the sweetness of his kiss. This time had I pulled him in for a kiss instead of the other way around; was this my way of giving in to him? It… it sort of felt that way. The feel of his tongue against mine, guiding me into a deeper kiss, was making me lose all sense, especially when I felt his hardness against my abdomen. Then he breaks off the kiss. I look at him, a confused frown crossing my brow, but he only smiles at me and shakes his head. “I don’t think you’re thinking straight right now, Sylvana. You’ve been running on adrenaline all evening,” He says, but this made me even more confused. Isn’t this what he wanted? I was giving in to him willingly and he.... was turning me down? “I don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret later. So, let’s take a beat and separate for the evening, okay?” He says, and I