Chapter 1

RICHARD BLACK POV

PRESENT DAY

According to a study, a person spend an average of 18 months of his life getting over a breakup. It has been 4 years 2 months 20 days 45 minutes since I broke the heart of the person I loved the most. And those years were not enough to make me forget my girl.

Amara Wesley was beautiful. Her heart full of kindness. She was always ready to help any person in need. She taught me to see the good in a person past the evil. She was like a raindrop in a draught. Her smile was my favorite image. The way her eyes twinkle when she was being mischievous. Or the way she arched her right eyebrow when she waited for an explanation. She was the essence of my life. Amara was the smartest girl I've had ever met. Her laughter had the ability to lighten up my mood. One kiss and I was a goner. She was my northern lights. My girl was so much stronger than me.

We were to get married. She was to become my wife, the mother of my children. After marriage we would've bought a beach house living happily but our dreams died a very cruel death. I still remember the night that changed the very existence of my life.

31st MAY 2016

"What do you mean Arthur has to step down as the heir? I told you I am not interested in being part of this bloody world. I don't know anything about being a mafia Lord." I couldn't believe what my father was telling me. His face was so serious so I didn't bothered asking him if he was joking because he was not.

" Boy you will not raise your voice against me. I am the Lord of this entire empire. I will not tolerate any disrespect. Son or not." He shouted looking furious.

"Sir, I am 28 years old. You can't dictate my life. Arthur is the rightful heir to the throne. You can't force me father." I sneered at him. Never have I ever hated my father but right now I felt hatred seeping into my mind for him

"ARTHUR CANT BE THE LORD. HE FUCKING MARRIED A COMMONER. THAT BASTARD FELL IN LOVE AND CREATED THIS MESS."

His voice boomed in the office giving me goosebumps. This is not a good news. It can cause a gang war between New York and Chicago. My father rules New York. A peace treaty was passed between both the cities with a promise of marriage. Arthur was to get married to Leah, daughter of Chicago's Lord. Its not about marriage but about the words of a mafia lord, his promise.

"Father, I get the seriousness of the situation. But its Arthur's mess. I am not going to clean it up. Its not that you are friends with Chicago. It have always been a war between us. Although I admit ten years of peace was very peaceful but it wont hurt us if we go back to how it was before the treaty."

My father face was calm. He was silent. But I know whatever he was going to say will make me hate him even more.

"Richard, son I won't let my men die because of my sons' cowardice. I can't do anything about Arthur since his wife is already pregnant. I want you to accept my decision. You will be crowned as the Lord and you will marry Leah in place of Arthur. This is the only way of preventing any war."

He said this to me as if he was telling me about the new furniture he wants to buy.

"You want me to handle your bloody business. Fine I will do it. But marrying Leah is not an option. I will die but I'll never marry her."

He studied my face but seeing my determination he sighed and picked up his phone. He put the phone on speaker and what I heard was enough to make my body freeze.

" Leo, my son here is going against me. Can you tell me where you are now?"

"Boss, I am at the top of the opposite building of the dance class aiming at a brunette. She is teaching kids to dance. I got a clear shot boss. Just waiting for your orders." I am going to kill whoever this Leo person is.

" I am still negotiating the deal with my son. I'll call you in a minute." He dropped his phone at the table and came towards me. Looking at my eyes he started speaking. I couldn't hear a single word. My heart was beating rapidly at the thought of Amara getting hurt.

"So here's the deal. You become the Lord , marry Leah and the girl lives. You try any other thing , I will kill each and every person important in your life starting from your girlfriend to your watchman. Every person you care other than your blood will die son. The choice is yours."

If giving up my happiness means Amara will live, I will give them up every damn time. My father knows he got me where he wanted. But I was dreading how will I tell the love of my life that I am not hers anymore. She will break. Every drop of her tears will feel like a stab in my chest. I will take every swipe of sword to keep her safe.

"You will never hurt her. I'll do everything you want. You let her go unharmed. She doesn't even know I belong to a mafia family."

"Okay son. You got yourself a deal."

"Do me a favor Mr.Black forget that you had two sons. From today onwards you are dead to me. You just ensured your elder son's happiness by killing me."

---------------‐--------------------------------------

Love is a wonderful thing, my dear, but it leaves you wide open for blackmail.

-Jasper Forde

____________________________________

Hey guys I'm a new one here. Please give my book a chance.❤❤❤