Chapter 5 A Vow in Chains

ALINA

My maid arranged the lace sleeves of my wedding gown for the third time. She put a string of pearls around my neck, the coolness of the beads heavy against my skin.

"You look beautiful," she whispered.

I gave her a weak smile, my heart hammering too loudly to say thank you. My reflection in the mirror looked like someone else.

The dress was beautiful, a classic white gown that was tight around my waist and flared out at my hips.

The door was pushed open and Valentina burst through the door. She looked stunning in her red dress, but her face was white with worry.

She had tried to convince me to cancel the wedding for two days now. I had refused.

"Out," she said, waving a hand at the maid.

The girl stopped, but I nodded, and she ran out.

"Alina, are you serious about this?" Valentina grabbed my shoulders, shaking me lightly. "Do you know what you're doing?"

"I'm walking down that aisle and marrying Luca," I said, though my heart was racing. Luca and I had settled on a date the same day he'd made the decision.

The wedding was easy enough to arrange. Only his family were coming. We wanted it to be a surprise to the world even though I was sure by now that a lot of people knew.

"Do you have any idea what people call him? The Monster. And you're marrying him."You don't have to do this." She gripped my hands tighter. "We'll figure something else out. We always do."

"No," I said, shaking my head. "We don't. This is the only way to protect you, Adriano, and Mama. You know that."

She groaned and threw her hands in the air. "You're unbelievable. You always have to play the hero."

"I'm not the hero," I said, looking at her sharply. "I'm the survivor."

Valentina was married. To a man she loved with no ties to the Mafia. Father had been mad as hell. But what that meant was that she really couldn't help me, or us. She was just as much in danger as the rest of us.

Her face softened, and she hugged me tight. "You make a beautiful bride," she whispered, kissing my cheek. Then she stepped back, fixing a stray curl. "Even if you're marrying a lunatic. You're so brave, but I hate that you have to be."

I almost laughed, but the knock on the door stopped me.

"Alina," Angelo's voice came through the wood, smooth and sharp. "It's time."

Valentina gave me a look, half worried, half proud, before slipping out. Angelo stepped in, all polished charm in his tailored suit.

He was walking me down the aisle. After Roberto had slapped me, I had refused him to stand in for my father.

"You're stunning," he said, offering his arm. His smile was warm, but his eyes were sharp and dark. They reminded me of my father's.

I slid my hand into the crook of his arm. "Thank you."

He chuckled as we walked, his hold on my arm firm. "Don't thank me. I'm just here to see you off."

His words hurt, but I kept my eyes ahead. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he got to me.

The garden was breathtaking. Rows of white chairs, a canopy of flowers, and soft music filled the air. But I hardly noticed. All I could see was Luca, standing at the end of the aisle.

He was too handsome in his black suit. His dark hair was gelled back, and his sharp jaw was set like stone. But his eyes were what held me.

Dark, intense. Beautiful

Behind him stood Marco, grinning like he'd just won a bet. Having the Costa wealth at his disposal would make anyone grin like that. Greedy bastard.

"Smile," Angelo hissed under his breath.

I forced a smile, my heart pounding. Every step down the aisle felt doomed. The guests were mostly strangers-Luca's people. They watched me, their whispers audible over the music.

When we reached Luca, Angelo placed my hand in his. Luca's hands were rough and warm. Firm like he owned me.

"Take care of her," Angelo said. "Watch her back."

I wondered why he cared.

Luca smiled, a sharp, almost cruel curve of his lips. "Always."

The priest began the vows at once. We didn't want to waste a lot of time. This was not a marriage of love. This was a contract. One I had signed myself into.

"Do you, Alina Costa, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I swallowed hard, looking into Luca's dark eyes. "I do."

"And do you, Luca Romano, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Luca's lips curved into the faintest smile. "I do."

The priest nodded. "Exchange your vows."

Luca went first. "I vow to protect you. To give you my loyalty and my strength. To stand by you, no matter what."

My throat tightened as I spoke. "I vow to be by your side. To honor our union and to face whatever comes with you."

The moment the priest named us husband and wife, Luca leaned in, brushing his lips against my cheek. It wasn't a kiss of love. It was possession. I felt owned.

And just like that, I was scared. Fearful of this man, to whom I had handed my life into.

The clapping was polite, and stopped immediately we turned to walk back down the aisle. Luca's hand rested on my back, guiding me like he already owned me.

As soon as we were out of sight of the crowd, Luca turned to me. "You'll be moving into my house tonight."

I blinked, taken aback. I hadn't even thought that far ahead. "What?"

"Your bags are already packed," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Who the hell had packed my bags? I hadn't given that order. I scowled angrily up at him.

I opened my mouth to protest, but he raised a hand. "This isn't going to be an argument, Alina. If you're my wife, you live under my roof."

My chest tightened. "I won't."

He laughed, a wicked sound. "You don't have a choice, My Little Sunshine. You're my property now."

Before I could say another word, he walked away, leaving me standing there.

Behind me, I heard footsteps. My mother's voice followed. "Alina."

I turned to face her, tears pooling in my eyes.