Chapter 18
I swallowed hard, my fingers curling into the soft fabric of the dress My heart was raising on feet felt like mide but thats my has less a wedding, I reminded myself this is a deal, a transaction
Milly heamed as the adjusted my veil Young master Brunann will ines the mind when he were gratificed a tight we, daring at they com reflection My makeup was Hawlessy done by worlds best makeup artier My life jointed in a sinful charta en past
The wedding growne clung to me like a second skin, sensual and revealing, leaving nothing to the imagination. The high slit om my las leyes practically sinful Is this even appropriate for a wedding?
Of course not
But Dante didn’t want a blushing bride. He wanted a showpiece. A wife who would stand beside him in front of his men and wiendly prove to the
world that he had won
The wedding would be nothing like the fairy tales I was once told by my mother Instead of yours whispered in love, I would take an oath, and declaration of loyalty to the Romano family, sealed in blood
A tradition in the mafia.
heard the door creaked open
A pair of sharp heels clicked against the marble floor. A woman in her fifties, draped in a dark emerald dress that screamed wealth and ruthlessness. She walked in like she owned the world
Isabella Romano.
My mother–in–law. The Queen of the Romano Empire
Her presence alone made the men in the room stand straighter Egen miss Milly bowed 90 degree to her
My breath hitched as my eyes traced her familiar features: The same sharp jawline The same ice eyes.
“Leave us,” Isabella’s voice was soft but powerfull, A command from queen sent people in my room including Miss Milly to flew away the door clicked shut behind them.
I started to bow out of respect, but her next words froze me in place.
“You’ve grown into a beautiful woman, Klara”
The way she said my name, like she had known me long before this, sent a shiver down my spine
My lips parted, but no words came.
She took slow, measured steps toward me, her piercing gaze never wavering “You have your mother’s eyes”
My stomach clenched.
“You knew my mother?” My voice barely rose above a whisper.
Isabella tilted her head slightly. “I did.” A pause. “She was a dear friend”
A flicker of pain passed through her icy exterior, I almost missed in Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone,
“She was strong,” Isabella continued, fixing my wall which Miss milly was doing before she entred “But even the strong fall when they trust the wrong people.”
1 looked down. I knew what she was talking about.
You were my choise, young lady. I was impressed by your fiery eyes. I knew you would be able to tame my son. But understand this if you betray him, if you prove to be a mistake.
She took a deliberate step closer, her icy gaze piercing straight through the sheer white veil covering my face. Her gloved fingers lifted my chin, just a little. A touch so soft, yet full of warning.
I will be the one to correct it
She then took a beautiful dimond coated dragger withan attached lace band in her hand and pass it to me. “This is a family loom. A tressure pass on from generation My eyes went wide. It was beautiful
“Its yours now” She said. Making me shock. “Mrs Komano, how can i
Chapter 18
“Call me Mother, You are a family Take it. Its a gift from Me and your father–in–law” She winked. Her voice was calm now, a beautiful smile tugged on her lips. I reached for the dagger. The moment my fingers wrapped around the cool metal, Isabella stepped closer, lowering her voice to a near whisper.
Make sure to strap it near inner thighs. Under your dress” She said making me frown at her words.
“Show my son who you are.” She said with seriousness “Do not fear him. Make him see that you belong to his side. That you deserve it. Do not let him or anyone think otherwise.”
She scoffed, a knowing smirk curling on her lips. “These Romano men…. they believe they can take their women for granted. Show him you are no one to mess with”
Then, just as quickly, the hardness in her gaze softened. A rare warmth flickered in her eyes as she reached out, adjusting my veil with careful hands.
“It’s time. Your father–in–law is waiting to take you to the altar.” She said squeezing my hands with an encouraging nod.
Something unfamiliar stirred in my chest. Warmth.
My mother–in–law is… incredible.
My grip tightened unconsciously around Mr. Romano’s arm. As i took shaky breath.
“We can wait here until you’re ready, dear,” my father–in–law murmured, his voice deep but eerily gentle.
I froze.
Was this really him? The ruthless, bloodstained king, Alexandres Romano? The man whose name alone made grown men tremble?
“Welcome to the family.” His words slithered down my spine like ice.
I tried to speak, but my voice was gone. Stolen.
“Shall we?” he asked, his piercing gaze locked on me.
I could only nod.
य
Each step down the corridor felt like walking toward my own execution. The train of my dress whispered against the cold marble.
The air chilled down as we neared the grand doors. Low murmurs seeped through from the other side powerful men waiting to witness my submission.
Then silence.
The moment the doors swung open, every conversation died.
Hundreds of men turned to face me. Soldiers. Bosses. Enemies disguised as allies. Their gazes crawled over me.
But the second their eyes flicked to the man at my side, they looked away. Heads bowed. In Fear.
And at the center of it all.
Dante Romano stood at the altar, dressed in a tailored black suit, looking every bit the Sexy, ruthless Mafia king he was. His eyes darkened as they raked over me. A flicker of something unreadable flashing through them. As his lips curling in approval.
Mr Romano led me down the aisle, stopping just before the grand altar where Dante stood.
He extended his hand. As Mr romano placed my trembling fingers on his son, and Dante gripped my hand firmly, pulling me closer.
“Say the words, Elara,” he murmured, his voice dangerously low.
The oath.
“I, Elara Ashford, pledge my loyalty to the Romano family. From this day forward, I live for the family, fight for the family, and die for the family.” I said my voice loud and clear.
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