MAFIA SEDUCTION

I stood at the front of the small Oratory and took a deep breath. My heart flicked in my chest like a butterfly confined in a glass carafe.

 I looked at my husband to be, Davie Montanelli, the heir to the Montanelli Corporation and the legitimate face of the family business. He looked every inch the respectable businessman standing there in his exquisitely tailored suit, which was perfectly fitted to the contours of his body.

 There was no doubt that he was the finest man, no!

Most handsome man I had ever seen in my life. A fine dusting of thin hair mustache above his upper lip, his strong jawline, thick dark hair, the perfect haircut. It was just enough to grab a handful of. His eyes, dark brown, I had never seen such a beautiful set of eyes in my entire life, it was captivating.

 I looked down at my dress. It was an elegant dress stoned with the finest diamonds and made of the finest silk, a customized dress that fits the Montanelli tradition. I had dreamed of my wedding with my mother by my side watching me get married to the man I love, but then it was just a dream. My mother no more, no dream man, in reality I'm about to get married to a man most women would give everything to have him. Rumors say wherever he went, women flocked to him like fireflies to a flame.

 To the few people who were witness to this marriage, it must have looked like a fairy-tale.

But it was far from it.

This was no dream come true.

This was my nightmare, getting married to a man I barely knew…

 Davie Montanelli was no Prince Charming. Although his looks stated otherwise, and I couldn't lie. I was charmed, regardless, he was the king of the underworld business, killed and claimed everything he wanted, and his business stood out against other competitors. He was just making me his bride to help his business and gain more power, and because he wanted me to give him an heir. And if I wanted to save my father from ending up broke and locked up or the worst thing that could happen, dead, I had to keep up with the whole charade.

 We had barely said I do. When I saw myself being escorted out of the chapel by a team of armed guards, confused I searched for my father and his standing outside, relieved I walked to him and my father had hugged me tightly with a solemn look on his face, while my mother would have loved to see her only child walking down the aisle. We both dreamed of this day, but then it was all just a dream, my mother no more and my dream man not found. I walked side by side with the hefty bodyguards, no sign or cheer of congratulations.

 Davie loosened his tie and walked to the car at the front of the convoy. 'Take her to the house,' he barked to one of his minions without giving me even a cursory glance.

I blinked in the heat of the midday sun as I felt the sob welling in my throat. I swallowed it down and took a deep breath. None of these men would ever have the pleasure of seeing me cry.

 I felt a strong hand grasp my elbow as I was escorted to another car. The door was opened for me to climb inside, followed by two big guards that were sandwiched beside me, making me so uncomfortable.

The Boss says to take her home, the biggest one said to the driver, who simply nodded in response and started the engine.

 Home? That would be laughable if it weren't so sad. The place we were driving to wasn't my home, and it never would be. My home was my apartment back in New York, close to my father and my best friend.

 I choked down another sob as it threatened to escape my throat. I consoled myself with the fact that at least Davie wasn't coming back to the house with me. If rumors were to be believed, he had a different woman for every night of the week. His reputation as a player was well documented.

 Our marriage was one of convenience and business, and I hoped that he would continue to fulfill any of his carnal needs with his hoes and lovers rather than with me — at least until he wanted his heir.

 An hour later, the car pulled up outside a beautiful gated mansion deep in the hills of Venice. The Italian influence was obvious from the minute we drove the gates, despite not wanting to be here, I'd say this place was breathtakingly beautiful and quiet.

The beauty brought a sense of peace and calmness.

But a cage was still a cage.