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 returned to the room, finding her still bound and helpless on the floor. Her eyes blazed with anger and hatred, but I was unmoved. She needed to be taught a lesson to understand my control. I poured a whiskey and sat down, watching her struggle against the ropes with a mix of fascination and amusement. She was a wildcat, full of fight and spirit. I hadn't expected that from her, but it made her more intriguing. Her constant resistance only added to her allure. 


As I savored my whiskey, memories flooded my mind, tracing our journey from the moment we met. I had recognized her unique spark, and now, she was mine to possess. Yet, gazing into her eyes, I saw the fear and vulnerability I had instilled. Something within me stirred, a pang of doubt and remorse. Had I been too ruthless? Had my need for control blinded me to her limits? The thought lingered as I sighed heavily 


I set my drink down and walked over to her. 


75. A Lesson In Control