Xahari_Aria 

After the death of his first  wife, Matteo Marino, a wealthy CEO and powerful mafia boss behind the scenes,  he was forced to remarry the daughter of one of his father's most trusted friend. Aria Barone, a young girl who witnessed her beloved mother murdered and burned alive by one of her father's rivals during her childhood and has been horrified since then. Forced to marry the man her father wanted, will she uncover Matteo’s darkest secret, or  will she fall in love with him?

Forced Vows, Hidden Shadows

I laid on the bed, my eyes fixed on the door as it creaked open. Matteo had ordered for my release, and now I enjoyed my soft plush bed. Matteo entered, a smile plastered on his face, and my heart raced with fear. He approached me, his eyes soft and warm. 


 "Hey, Aria," he says, his voice low and smooth. "How are you doing?" 


 I remained silent, my eyes locked on his, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. 


 Matteo chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I remember how you always fall off the bed when we sleep together. You take up so little room, and I take up so much." 


 He laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement, but I remained alert, my fear simmering just below the surface. I know better than to trust him and to let my guard down. 


 "I'm fine," I say curtly, my voice firm but shaking slightly. 


Matteo's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Good," he says, his voice dripping with sincerity. "I'm glad to hear that." 


78. Fragile Truce