ra

s a grand, hol

the grand ballroom. It mixed with the murmur of a hundred conv

l? They're practi

e hasn't even g

od pact, no

d flawlessly in place, a ma

t like a statue carved fr

sharp, unforgiving. A faint, silvery scar cut through his left eyebrow-a detail the sanitized press photos never capt

ngle word since I'd w

heavy, beaded gown, I wasn't trembling with fear. I was merel

h assassins disguised as waiters

The last of the guests departed, leaving a w

ovement he'd made in an hour t

a low, gravelly rumble devoid of warmt

ed with portraits of stern-faced Russo ancestors. While a normal bride might have felt intimidated by their

yes, opened a set of heavy oak doors for us. He gave m

s. M

sing with a heavy click that e

ridal

A fire crackled in a massive stone fireplace, but

life, had started much like this.

uelty behind a charming politician's smile; Eliga wore his danger

decanter on a mahogany sidebar. He poured a measure of

ng, arctic blue, swept over me from head to toe. It wasn't the look of a man adm

lhoun,"

liberate line drawn in the

r about the nature

, a wave of profound relief washed over me. No politic

vel, devoid of the tremor he undoubtedly expe

tion. "This marriage is a transaction. It serves the interests of the Syndic

His presence was a physical force, an aura of

eet from me. "A hostess for my estate. A mother figure to keep m

ttle. "In return, the Russo name will protect

fectly," I said, meeting hi

ed his stoic features. Because I hadn't given

s voice dropping to a glacial chill, "you will not

. Instead, I gave a slight, almos

riage? It was the perfect

final. He placed his half-empty glass on a nearby ta

would repeat itself. The staff wou

neen had. A weak, discarded bride had no authority, no power to mold his

't let h

voice quiet but cutting through the silence like a silver b

, he turned his head, his profile etched against the dim light. His eyes narrowe

on. Now, it was time to show