Chapter 8 :Engagement
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Chapter 8 : Engagement
Sitting in the grand dining room, Raven listened to her grandfather discuss the final details of the arranged marriage. The weight of the conversation pressed against her chest, suffocating her. She couldn't believe this was happening.
"This union is important, Raven," her Nonno said firmly. "It's not just a marriage; it's an alliance that strengthens our bloodlines."
Raven scoffed, arms crossed. "You make it sound like I'm some chess piece on a board."
Her father, Victor Castillo, sighed. "You've always known our family comes with responsibilities. This isn't just about you."
She gritted her teeth. "Well, I don't care. I won't marry someone I don't even know."
Lucia Valenti, Kai's mother, smiled gently. "Oh, but you do know him, cara. You just don't remember."
Raven's jaw clenched. The entire room was suffocating her, filled with elders and power-hungry men making decisions about her life like she wasn't even there.
Her best friends, Julian and Valentina, sat beside her, offering silent support. Sophia, Kai's cousin and her old roommate, was there too, looking awkward as hell.
Then her Nonna dropped the final bomb.
"He's not just anyone, Raven. He's the Mafia King."
Silence.
Raven's heart stuttered.
They wanted her to marry the Mafia King?
The man who controlled entire empires?
A slow exhale left her lips as she leaned back. "You have got to be kidding me."
Victor's gaze hardened. "You've been trained for this, Raven. This is your destiny."
"No. It's your decision, not mine."
Kai's father, Alessandro Valenti, spoke up. "The wedding is in three months. You will meet with Kai tomorrow. Make peace with it, principessa."
Raven stood abruptly. "This conversation is over."
And with that, she stormed out.
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The Café Meeting
The next day, Raven sat in a luxurious café, her fingers drumming against the wooden table. She was waiting for him.
Kai Valenti.
She had no idea what he looked like now. The last time she saw him, he had been a senior at the Mafia Academy.
The door chimed, and she felt it.
A presence.
Powerful. Commanding. Cold.
Her eyes flicked up—and her breath hitched.
Kai Valenti was devastatingly handsome.
Dressed in a crisp black suit, his sharp jawline and piercing gray eyes sent a shiver down her spine. He walked like he owned the world, and maybe he did.
He slid into the seat across from her, his expression unreadable. "Raven."
His voice was deep, smooth, dangerous.
She rolled her eyes. "So you do know my name."
Kai smirked. "Of course. I could never forget you."
Something about the way he said it made her stomach twist.
"Then you should know I'm not marrying you," she said bluntly.
Kai tilted his head, his smirk growing. "That's cute. You think you have a choice."
Raven's fingers curled into fists. "I don't care what our families want. I live my own life."
Kai leaned forward, his eyes darkening. "Then fight me on this, Raven. Run. Escape. Rebel. Do whatever you want. But in the end? You'll still be mine."
Her breath caught.
He wasn't joking.
Raven scoffed, masking the unease crawling up her spine. "You're delusional."
Kai chuckled. "And you're adorable when you're angry."
She stood abruptly. "This conversation is over."
Kai grabbed her wrist, his touch sending an unexpected spark through her veins. "See you at the engagement party, principessa."
Raven yanked her hand away, ignoring the heat lingering on her skin. "I will make your life a living hell, Valenti."
His grin was slow, dangerous. "I look forward to it."
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Back to Work
Slamming the car door shut, Raven took a deep breath.
She wasn't just an assassin. She was one of the most sought-after engineers in the world.
Work was her escape.
Her company, Castillo Innovations, specialized in high-tech weapons, artificial intelligence, and luxury architecture. She walked into her sleek, glass-paneled office, where her team greeted her.
"Boss, the investors are waiting," one of her employees informed her.
Raven nodded. "Let's make them regret underestimating me."
For the next few hours, she was unstoppable. Meetings, negotiations, designing. This was what she lived for. Not some forced marriage.
By the time she got home, she was exhausted.
Then her phone buzzed.
Sophia: Rav, the engagement party is tomorrow.
Raven stared at the screen.
Tomorrow.
She exhaled sharply.
Her life was about to change forever.
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The Engagement Party
The ballroom was filled with powerful people. Mafia bosses, CEOs, political figures.
Raven stood at the entrance, dressed in a black silk gown, her long dark hair cascading down her back.
She felt trapped.
Then she saw him.
Kai Valenti stood at the center, dressed in a custom three-piece suit. His gaze immediately found hers.
Julian nudged her. "Damn, Rav. He looks like he stepped out of a billionaire romance novel."
Valentina smirked. "Too bad he's an arrogant ass."
Raven exhaled. "Let's get this over with."
She walked toward the stage, where their families waited.
The moment she stood beside Kai, he leaned down.
"You look stunning, amore."
She clenched her teeth. "Go to hell."
Kai only chuckled, his fingers brushing against hers. "We're already there."
Lucia Valenti, Kai's mother, spoke. "Let the engagement begin!"
The moment the rings were exchanged, Raven smirked.
She whispered so only Kai could hear—
"I promise you, Valenti. I will make your life a living hell."
Kai smirked back. "I can't wait, principessa."
The crowd erupted in applause.
Raven officially belonged to the Mafia King.
For now.
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