THE DON'S SECRET OBSESSION ( His Bride, Her Prison)

CHAPTER 1

I can't breathe. I'm nervous as hell.

And while I hope it is not as visible as it feels, I like to believe that everyone would simply think I am acting all weird because I'm a first-time bride.

But the truth is, I'm nervous because I'm a fraud.

I never wanted any part in this. But I have no choice. With a deep sigh, I force down an invisible lump in my throat, looking up at the priest.

I press my fingers tighter into the flower I am holding, hoping it hides how much I am shaking. Dreading the words the priest is about to utter.

"Do you, Ariella Cecilia Boone, take Dermos Salvatore to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest asks.

I blink.

I badly want to say it, badly want to scream that I am not Ariella Cecilia Boone.

My sister ran away this morning, and I am being forced to take her place. I badly want to fling this flower at his face and flee.

Yet mom's voice replays in my head like a broken record.

"You have to do it, Cara Mia, your sister is nowhere to be found. If we don't fulfill the end of our bargain, you know what Dermos will do to us."

Yes, I did know what he would do. So, with that, I go along as planned. Pretend to be Ariella until she is found.

My lips tremble as I force the truth down my throat, "Yes, I do." I murmur, my voice a little over a whisper.

I can't expose family, can't put them in such danger.

The priest nods before turning to the almighty Dermos, asking the same thing.

"Of course, I do." His deep velvety voice resonates through the church. His calm green eyes lock onto mine, steady and unreadable.

They're not searching mine. They don't look like they suspect a thing. The tight feeling in my chest loosens a tad.

The relief in my face might have shown a little as Dermos's lips curled into a slight smirk. I don't know what to make of it, and just like that, my anxiety spikes again.

The rituals continue, but I am barely present. My eyes drink up the man. I know nothing except that he is the Don of the Italian Mafia.

My eyes rake down his body, adorned in a white suit; he has the most innocent-looking face. The way his eyes twinkle didn't fit the description of the ruthless Don I heard so much about.

My thoughts are cut off as the priest's words filter into my ears, "You may kiss the bride."

What?

My eyes widen as I watch him lean close, my fingers tighten harder on my flowers as I watch him lean closer, his pink lips now inches away from mine.

"Boss, watch out!" A loud voice booms as shots ring out into the air.

Dermos moves with speed I didn't know a human could possess. One moment he was