ella'

lled like flowers. I glanced briefly at my wrists which were sore and turning purple from the way the guards had held me at the auction house. I swallowed

hreatened to fall. Rosa, the makeup artist, exhaled

erstand the feeling. Today is a special day for you so no more crying el

ken face staring back at me. Beneath all the foundation and lipstick, I was not beautiful. My eye

since his diaper days, he's one of the most powerful and influential men in Italy. An

rade places with y

t they called being forced int

etto. You look beautiful. Now you have to promise me, no more crying," she w

who hated my very existence,

and a guard entered, his expression blank."I'l

ck to Rosa, my eyes glittering with tears, hoping she could get a

, gripping the bouque

porch. I have never been inside one of these and the sight was breathtaki

for me to sit. I enteted, exhaling as

drifted back to memories I had of Alessio. He was the boy who I could always count on, who would save me from bullies during my high

father was no murderer. He could barely h

me, which sparkled against the evening sky. The door opened and I stepped out, the cold wind grazing

m was filled with unfamiliar faces, but I was certain they were powerful mafia families. After all, t

completely in black. His blond hair wa sgeles back to perfection, showing off his

ated it. I needed to clear him off m

ey met mine. I cleared my throat, fo

to give him the middle finger. Alessio took my h

lsewhere, on Alessio. The time came for him to say his vows. He did s

it was

ring to the door, to the congregation and then b

reath, I whisp

the bride," the

e. I closed my eyes briefly, wanting to know what my first kiss would be like, but then his lips l

y thought Alessio would kiss me but he just reminded m

**********

before I knew it Alessio announced it was time to he

I occasionally stole glances at Aless

suggest you stop staring at me," Ale

y throat, turning away, and resti

enjoying the cool

at the face who had these certain pairs of arms. Alessio. I coul

y. He cleared his throat, pointing to a ro

Alessio. Relax Gabriella, Alessio is nice he wouldn't hurt yo

d in black with a diamond chandelier which hung above us. It was

. "I thought I'd have my

s bore into mine."You're my wife, so I e

would have been happy knowing Alessio was the first man to take my v

ed is here in this room. Go take a bath, your reek

e. Sighing, I walked to the closet, searching for pyjamas. There was none, except see-through lingerie. Did he

ly way bigger than the one I had back at home. I stripped my gown off and stepped into the bathtub,

m light casting warm light over his sculptured form. I felt my breath hitch as my gaze landed on the butterfly tattoo

gure, stopping at my chest area. I pushed my arms up, hoping some parts will remain

ding night. Nothing about your body turns me on," he began. "Don'

e than I thought it'

the kitchen, library, sitting room, and pool. Every other room is off-limits. If you need

e could command? "And if I break t

ules, Bella," he said, taking slow steps towards me, his eyes borin