SERAFINA'S POV
I read the contract three times. Each time, I found new ways Lorenzo had trapped me. New clauses designed to control my life, new terms that made me his property in everything but name.
But I also found small loopholes where I could push back. If I was going to be forced into this hell, I was going to negotiate.
"These terms are unacceptable." I said, looking up from the document.
Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. He was sitting in his chair behind the desk now, watching me like I was entertainment.
"Which ones?"
"All of them. Starting with Section 3: 'Wife agrees to reside in husband's primary residence at all times.'
No. I keep my apartment."
"Denied. You'll live here under my roof where I can see you."
"Section 5: 'All assets belonging to wife transfer to joint account controlled by husband.'
Absolutely not. I keep my own money."
"Also denied. Your assets are frozen until I trust you not to run, which will be never." He smiled. "Next complaint?"
"Section 8: 'Wife agrees to share bed with husband.'
We're not sleeping together."
"We already are sleeping together."
"That was before I knew you were a manipulative bast*rd who's been playing me for weeks."
"Fair point." He actually seemed to consider this. "Fine. Amended: Separate bedrooms. For appearances, we'll claim we share a suite. But actual sleeping arrangements are flexible."
"Section 12: 'Marriage is binding until death.'
I want an exit clause. One year, then we can divorce."
"Absolutely not." His voice was cold. "This marriage lasts until one of us dies. No exceptions, no divorce and no annulment. You're mine, Serafina for forever."
The possessiveness in his voice made my heart flutter.
"What about Yuki?" I asked, changing tactics.
"What about her?"
"She's staying here, in your guest room. You expect me to live under the same roof as your ex-lover?"
"Yuki leaves today. She only stayed tonight because she was drunk and I didn't want her driving." He leaned forward. "And for the record, we are only good friends now. Nothing more."
"She kissed you at the gala."
"She ambushed me at the gala to make a political point to certain people who were watching. It didn't mean what you think."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because I'm not asking you to believe me. I'm telling you facts." He almost shouted. "Yuki leaves. You move in. We present as a united couple to both families."
I looked back at the contract.
"I want it in writing that I'm allowed to hate you."
He laughed.
"Already assumed. What else?"
"I want access to my family. You don't cut me off from Luciano, my father and my sister."
"Granted. But all communications will be monitored. I'll know every word you say to them."
"You're paranoid."
"I'm cautious. There's a difference." He stood up, moved around the desk. "Any other demands?"
"Yes. If we're doing this, then you need to promise me something."
"What?"
"That you won't hurt my family. Not unless they move against you first."
"Why?"
"Because they're still my family. As horrible as they are, they're mine to deal with not yours."
"Agreed. I won't move against your family unless they strike first. But Serafina…" He stepped closer. "…if they do strike, all bets are off. I'll destroy them. Understand?"
"Yes."
"Good." He took out a knife from his desk drawer. "One more thing, in my family, we seal important contracts in blood."
Before I could process what he meant, he drew the blade across his palm, and blood oozed out.
"Your turn." He handed me the knife.
I should have refused, should have told him this was barbaric. Instead, I drew the blade across my own palm, hissing at the sharp sting.
Lorenzo took my bleeding hand in his, and pressed our palms together.
"Blood oath." He whispered. "You're mine now and I'm yours until death."
"I hate you." I whispered.
"I know." He smiled. "But you're still going to marry me."
The blood was drying on my palm when Lorenzo reached for his phone.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Announcing our engagement. We don't have time to waste." He was already dialing. "First call to my father."
The phone rang twice when a gruff voice answered.
"Lorenzo. It's 6 in the morning. This better be important."
"I'm getting married." Lorenzo said while looking into my eyes. "In 48 hours. I need you to arrange Council approval."
"To whom?"
"Serafina Rossi. Giovanni's daughter."
The explosion of Italian cursing was loud enough that I heard every word even though the phone wasn't on speaker.
"Have you lost your mind? A Rossi? Are you trying to start a war?"
"I'm trying to prevent one. The marriage binds the families which makes conflict costly for both sides." Lorenzo's voice was controlled. "I need your blessing, Dad, and I need it by tonight."
"Lorenzo…"
"This isn't negotiable. I'm calling as a courtesy, not asking permission. Announce it however you want but it's happening."
There was more cursing.
"Fine. But if this blows up in your face, don't expect me to clean up the mess."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Lorenzo hung up, and immediately dialed another number.
"Who now?" I asked.
"My lawyer."
"Anthony. I need a marriage contract drawn up. I'm sending you the draft now. I need it finalized by tomorrow." There was a pause. "Yes, I'm serious. Yes, I know it's fast. Just do it."
He hung up.
"Your turn. Call your father."
"And tell him what?"
"That you're marrying Lorenzo Vitale. That it's your choice. That he should be pleased his daughter is securing a permanent alliance with his greatest enemy."
"He'll never believe it's my choice."
"Then make him believe it. You're good at lying. I've watched you do it for two weeks now." Lorenzo held out his phone. "Call him. Now."
My hand was shaking as I took it. I stared at the screen for a long moment. Then I dialed my father's number. It rang.
"Who is this?" My father's voice was sharp.
"Dad. It's me."
"Serafina." His tone changed immediately. "Why are you calling from an unknown number? Where are you? Are you safe?"
"I'm fine. I'm at Lorenzo's penthouse." I looked at Lorenzo, standing there watching me. "I'm calling to inform you that I'm marrying him in 48 hours."
There was complete silence.
"Explain."
"It's a strategic alliance. Marriage binds the families, prevents war and gives us leverage over the Vitales while…"
"Stop. Do not insult my intelligence by pretending this was your idea. What does he have on you?"
I closed my eyes. My father knew me too well.
"Nothing. This is my choice."
"Serafina. Tell me the truth."
"I am telling you the truth. I'm marrying Lorenzo Vitale. You can approve or you can oppose. But it's happening either way."
"Come home. Now. We need to discuss this."
Lorenzo stepped forward, and took the phone from my hand.
"Giovanni. Lorenzo Vitale. Your daughter isn't going anywhere. She's mine now. I suggest you adjust accordingly." He paused, listening. "Yes, I'm aware of the consequences. Yes, I'm aware you'll want guarantees. We can discuss terms at the wedding which is in 48 hours. Invitations will be sent within the hour."
He hung up before my father could respond. Immediately, my phone started buzzing. There were texts and calls from my family.
Matteo: What the hell? Call me NOW!
Luciano: Is this true? Are you insane?
Bianca: You betrayed us. I'll k*ll you myself.
Lorenzo snatched my phone from my hand, looked at the screen, and raised an eyebrow.
"Your family seems upset."
"You think?"
"You have 48 hours to convince them that I'm not forcing you. I suggest you start now." He handed my phone back. "Go. Call your handler. Spin whatever story you need to but be back here by tonight. We have a wedding to plan."
"I'm not leaving just to come back."
"Yes, you are. Because if you run, I'll send that folder to your father and we both know what happens then. You're trapped, piccola spia."
I wanted to argue, to fight, to do anything except admit he was right. But he was right. I was trapped.
"I hate you." I said for the nth time.
"I know." He stepped closer, so close that I could feel his breath on my lips. "See you tonight, wife."
Then he turned and walked out, leaving me standing in his study, surrounded by shattered glass, dried blood, and a marriage contract that bound me to my enemy.
My phone buzzed again. Another text from Matteo.
Where are you? Are you safe? Please respond.
I'm fine. Need to meet. Usual place. One hour.
I had 48 hours to figure out how to survive a marriage to Lorenzo Vitale.
48 hours to convince everyone including myself that this wasn't the biggest mistake of my life.
48 hours until I became Mrs. Vitale.
And I absolutely no idea how I was going to live through what came next.
I made it to the elevator before my legs gave out. I leaned against the wall, trying to breathe, trying to process everything that had happened in the last three hours.
I'd tried to k*ll Yuki. Lorenzo had caught me. He'd known everything all along. And now I was engaged to be married to him in 48 hours.
The elevator opened on the ground floor. My cab arrived and I sat in the back seat, staring at my bandaged palm where Lorenzo and I had sealed our contract in blood.
I reached the safe house and went inside. Matteo was already there, pacing like a caged animal. The moment he saw me, he pulled me into his arms.
"Thank God. I thought…" He pulled back, studying my face. "You look like hell. What did he do?"
"He caught me trying to k*ll Yuki."
"What?"
"He knows everything, Matteo. Who I am. What I was sent to do. He's been playing me from the beginning."
"Okay. Okay, we can fix this. We'll extract you. New identity. New cover. We'll…"
"I can't run."
"What do you mean you can't run?"
"He has proof of everything. If I run, he sends it to Father and he will k*ll me for failing the mission."
"Then we k*ll Lorenzo first…"
"He's already thought of that. If anything happens to him, the evidence goes to the Council automatically. I'm trapped, Matteo."
"So you're actually going to marry him?" He stared at me.
"I don't have a choice."
"There's always a choice!"
"Not this time." I looked at him. "This is the best option for everyone. The marriage binds the families, and…"
"And what?"
"And I'll have access to Vitale intelligence from the inside. As his wife, I'll know everything. This could still work in our favor."
"Sera, listen to me. Lorenzo Vitale is dangerous and manipulative. He's been playing you from day one. It's—"
"Matteo. Stop."
"I can't stop. Because I love you." He confessed. "I've loved you for so long. Watched you go on mission after mission, throw yourself at target after target, and I never said anything because I'm your handler and that would be inappropriate. But I can't watch you marry him. I can't."
"Matteo…"
"Don't marry him. Please. We'll find another way. We'll…"
The door burst open. We both turn around. Yuki Tanaka stood at the door, with two men of Lorenzo.
"Serafina Rossi, I believe you and I need to have a conversation."
Matteo stepped in front of me.
"She's not going anywhere with you."
Yuki smiled.
"That's not your decision to make. She's Lorenzo's fiancée now which means she's under Vitales protection whether she likes it or not."
"Sera…" Matteo looked at me.
But I was already stepping forward.
"It's fine. I'll go."
"Are you insane?"
"Probably." I looked at Matteo one last time.
"Sera…"
But I was already walking toward Yuki.
Toward my new life as Lorenzo Vitale's wife.
Toward everything I'd sworn to destroy.