When to work that evening. I thinking happened earlier. I couldn’t believe myself. I had the courage meet the Sicilian boss and got to agree to marry me. It flopped and things weren’t to go way, but he agreed, after few persuasions and all. I could he was quite in how would turn out Then again, was never an escape on this one. original plan was to secure his last name and stay at least three years-that was enough time for Papa to back away from life. Eventually, going up and no longer wanted to control my life but wanted a lifetime. Apparently, it against his religion to divorce. It didn’t me long to think about my future. didn’t have of a choice. I wasn’t left choice at all, to be honest. It was to marry Viktor protest and a man of my choosing. I much more interested in the latter. There was no way in hell would give up and let Papa ruin my life. My family was able to help me because Mama was caught in between. Alexei he would put The mafia’s bond was indeed thicker than blood. for Anastasia, she young-she wasn’t even to night. She supposed know family business. When I was her age, I wanted nothing to do with mafia. I hated the killings. The violence. never had the to my parents my family, I had the chance choose my life. It was either being caught in a dead end someone named Viktor and never-ending letting my dictate my life or propose with Matteo. None it was making any sense. None of it ever crossed my mind. was the Bratva princess and was right, sometimes we needed make the sacrifices our lives. was my sacrifice. In order to protect career and my freedom, I decided to run into the arms an Italian leader. to face, he wasn’t as scary they said. He was and breathtaking. change my mind about having favorites. He definitely God’s favorite. I only him shirtless, the of his toned and golden skin or his body was literally screaming ‘sex-appeal’ he could only the he with What the hell, Alena? I needed to get grip on myself I was future husband naked. I mean, it wasn’t anything wrong to imagine around house or him being dominant bed it was wrong, * considering our situation. We were going to that way-but a was long. Could we survive not finding attractive each He promised me love. I didn’t want love. I was just imagining him dominating me in bed as he me. For f***k’s sake, Alena didn’t have to about that far. I had excluding sex in my life but why suddenly. I was thinking it way too often? ” Someone called caused me to turn around, meeting face-to-face with colleague, Zach. “Deep in thoughts… what you thinking?” I chuckled, trying to hide away the embarrassment. “I see there, Zach “I just in. How long are working He asked. Zach and I were both in our final of residency. Apparently, be had recently of really bad relationship- something he onto for years until he finally let go because was starting to take a toll on his mental health. He never wanted to go details about what happened his ex-girlfriend because he quite man, and 1 a fellow colleague, but he seemed happier ever since broke off. That was terrifying, Imagine falling in but not having the happy ending. One the reasons I swore off love. didn’t have much time on my plate, and I definitely didn’t to with anything would make lose my focus. my freedom and went great lengths achieve it, nothing worthless was going to ruin Zach was great friend. We had quite a lot of together and he kept the working bearably because he always putting silly jokes. But when it time focus, had never let anything distract him. Other female doctors tried flirt him-Zach was on the attractive side. He was tall and lean, funny. I guess, those three traits were enough to anyone. “Thirteen hours. “Yikes here I wonder how you can still to look beautiful the end of the shift later?” I rolled my eyes, “Only you, Zachary. You and your flatteries. He laughed. “Oh, come on. My flatteries are always the highlight of your day. can’t help but to expect them, you?” “Maybe, maybe not. It depends. “But hey, you looked a bit off when I came in. Everything okay? How day off?” asked, the was sincere. is okay and my fine. don’t have to worry, He revealing his straight teeth. “Okay, if you so. I’ll come by later to see you for breakfast. “Which is hours later. “Exactly!” He making his way down hallway before waving. The hours like and was quite to see the sun already rising. looked down at my to see the my shift was coming to an end soon. I took of things in morning and honestly, doctors dreaded whenever they were to in the ER, but I had always thought was fine. Assigned to help in the ER just time going to pass quicker. Many things in ER. Some guy came in with pouring out of his arm because accidentally drilled his anni. I mean, who was the mind drill in the middle of the night? I didn’t have time to think complain he literally streaming in pain. Truly glad that over. I towards the cafeteria to a cup coffee, I was surprised to find a familiar figure standing in the lobby-he had both his hands in his as he made his way towards me. What he doing here? did want? eyes met in instant, and it was of me to turn around as didn’t see me in place. I was contemplating on whether I should pretend I and run straight to the cafeteria or just accept that he was here to see me. “Hi, wifey. My eyes widened the nickname before I turned look at him. was going to come down in any minute now and he was to wonder-I couldn’t my colleagues ask questions about Matteo, I wasn’t ready to yet. I kind of them that I might’ve eloped or something: they were going to ask many questions. For instance, where did we met, did we had we been together. I ready for any of that. What are you doing here? How do you know I work?” I asked, looking around. Please, didn’t want to see us together. Especially not Lily. “How can not know my future wife is working?” “Shh, it down. People will hear you. I his arm, he didn’t budge. “I thought wanted me to show you off in front everyone my or did you “decide to change your mind?” Matteo was raising an eyebrow, a challenging look on his face. He was this. He was trying to turn into a game he wanted to to prove I wasn’t serious. Well, he thought wrong because I wasn’t going to change mind. Not when I rhy future on stake. “Nobody about you yet. ” I sighed, workplace isn’t a great place start. “I’m just doing my part of the deal, wifey. ” He tucked a few strands of hair behind my ear. It was a move, and it was “Stop calling me that. And I you to- “I’m leaving for Berlin. I won’t be back until he cut me off. was four days away. all the way to my workplace to let me know he to Berlin. “You could’ve called or text me. ” I replied. “It a if got my from one of my background smirked, “I’d like to see my wife before I leave. “Now don’t go around with other men. controlling my life, now?” baby, just a boundary for mine. Je leaned in, his warm breath on the side of my temple as he whispered. is one thing you can expect from it’s loyalty. I can play part as loving husband, need play your part as my wife. I may never love you, but I don’t want you to go around f***g other men, either there’ll be consequences. You know I’m capable of My whole body shivered his words. What getting myself into? he back, placing his hand underneath my chin before the side of my cheek. It was short but he was sealing promise-he meant every word said. I to keep reminding myself who I was dealing with. He was regular man. He was dangerous, and a criminal. I was going to marry a mafia boss, who was capable of of things. may to escape Papa’s control. but I was falling into another man’s powerful grip, “I’ve Angelo to with you, times. Don’t worry, he’ll be your sight. It’s just for safety purposes. He said, turning serious. need someone to look after me? I was fine being on my own. I never needed anyone to after me-Papa may have assigned to look after me the past years, but he never told me anything. Besides, ever retired and Alexei took over as Pakhan, he be respecting my privacy more. “I don’t need a bodyguard, Matteo. I’m on my own. ” I shook head, disagreeing- “I have alliances, Alena. I have enemies. If you’re to marry I to make you’re safe. I risk your life. “You seem forget that father was Pakhan,” slipped my mind, but you’ll soon be my wife-the Russians have business to bother with what’s mine. “I’m going to be yours. Don’t yourself. “On paper you are. ” He took a look down at his wristwatch, “I also expect you to move in with me before return. Oh, not going according to plan. Maybe, I didn’t think it through when I to his and asked him to marry me-I thought I to decide everything, and just follow but I was truly mistaken. can’t move in with you weekend. I don’t the time. “All you need is your belongings and I’ll handle the rest. “We even yet. I don’t have to move with you this quickly,” “Either way, move with me. It is bound to happen sooner or later. Come on, I was dealing with a boss. He wasn’t back away that easily. I thought it was to be easy because said to commit. This was starting become more a commitment, or did he mean a different type commit! “You said you weren’t to commit. not committing, Alena. Committing to you is surrendering my whole self and expecting the thinking of you and no one else. Committing is “You expect me not else, but you’re allowed to?” “When did I say anything about me f***g anyone else?” “You just said committing is thinking of me and no one else. So, I’m allowed to of whoever I want just can’t relationship with them?” “Mm, right. finally up. is ridiculous. ” scoffed, crossing arms. “You always your and I’ll be glad to walk away know I can’t that”- settled then. Matteo stood and it didn’t pass me that women kept glancing his direction. He was a masterpiece he knew very well. able to tell him otherwise. It was very clear, he loved the control. He would always get what he wanted because he could do so. Even things out of he was to make sure he got ahold of them. power, money, and the time. I wanted to learn about him. Mostly about his past but I knew didn’t have resources to do so. personal information was out of reach-Igor couldn’t give me much when I for his check. Besides, Alexei could suspect something. “Alena!” Zach my making me turn around. At first, looking me, but his quickly turned to look at Matteo’s figure me. He any further steps as he for us to head to the and he as a sign understanding when I him to wait. “I got to go,” I said. “Who is he?” Matteo asked, into my eyes. “My colleague. He didn’t say anything else but his action surprised me. was leaning really close, if we were kissing. However, instead of his lips meeting brushed my cheek. breath was warm, and the kiss lingered. My eyes closed shut at feeling I his hand on the back my waist, holding in place. It was of me to get at tingly feeling, like by touch. My quickened, too as gave me another peck on the cheek. He took his time lean and pull his hand away. As soon as I opened eyes, I was staring at broad back as he walked out. I felt deep in the my and I look away was finally out of sight. make me feel but I was wishing myself them go away. We going to spend alot of time together and if I couldn’t keep myself together, I was going to it my heart broken My heart was broken once. I wasn’t going risk it being broken for the time. 1 repeating to myself about our fake marriage. We weren’t going to fall in love live happily. We keeping our part of the deal I was proving to Papa that I needed him back from me. Matteo was more power and respect. It was situation. Nobody was losing. I couldn’t be the to surrender. Even though body was making me feel even felt myself leaning into his touch. I needed to push them all away remind myself were never real. Soon, was going to bear his last name. I was going to Alena Hose Lerclerc but my name never going to be in his heart nor was his going to be mine. were talking about a transaction adults. He was dead to begin with. His heart was stone cold. I needed to be dead, too. “Hey,” 1 turned to look Zach as he stared me with concern. “Oh, hey. “Are you alright? Who was that?” “I’m fine. “Are you sure?” Yeah, don’t worry. ” I firmly. Zach going to be a problem-he was a colleague, but might saw as a problem if he kept seeing us together. That was going to be impossible if decided to always be seen with because we tend to work together. “Who was he, Alena?” “Nobody. ” I started to towards the cafeteria with Zach following me behind. I expected him keep bugging me about Matteo, but he stopped asking and we proceeded talk about how our shift. Zach talked about how his patient had all over him and he had to change his scrubs before his shift ended because he had to attend another patient. never tell the of our patients, it was enough to know what happened. during our hours. My mind kept away whenever and I talking. kept about Matteo, his deep voice, and his mesmerizing eyes. I never going to admit sudden attraction-he was more a than anything else. Anyone would find him attractive, and I was no different. It was normal and I didn’t have to feel bad for it. He going be Berlin for four days which wasn’t going to meet him in next days. It would also mean extra time for I didn’t have think about the agreement or the we needed sign soon. We needed to talk this fake marriage, too. As I looked around, I couldn’t help wonder if Angelo already around. right, he a lot alliances, but he also had lot of enemies. powerful men wanted his his power. If I was to marry him his enemies would was his weakness and made me target. I hoped it wouldn’t come to that.