The Mafia CEO'S Substitute Bride

The night air was thick with tension, carrying the low hum of a distant storm as Bella stood at the edge of her uncle's estate, staring out at the imposing limousine waiting at the gate. The evening breeze tugged at her dress, a satin gown that clung to her like a suffocating second skin, its deep blue shimmering in the dim light. She shifted uneasily, her hands clenching the small, delicate bouquet her aunt had thrust into her hands. This wasn't supposed to be her wedding day. Yet here she was, preparing to meet the man who was feared more than death itself.

Bella's pulse quickened as she thought about Dante Romano-the man her cousin, Vanessa, had been so eager to escape from. She remembered the whispers of his cruelty, the stories that painted him as a ruthless mafia boss with no heart and no mercy. Vanessa had sobbed, panicked, and desperate, pleading with their uncle to find a way out. But the family's reputation, and the business deal that came with it, was far too important.

That's where Bella came in-an unwitting replacement, forced into the role of a bride by deception. Her cousin had run off that very afternoon, leaving behind nothing but a cryptic note and a trail of expensive perfume. And just like that, Bella's life had been signed away with a flourish of ink and a cruel twist of fate.

Her uncle's voice jolted her from her thoughts. "Bella," he said, his tone as sharp as the glint in his eye. He wasn't a kind man, never had been, and she had learned to fear the coldness in his voice. "Get in the car. They're waiting."

Bella's throat tightened as she glanced back toward the mansion, where her aunt watched silently from the window, expression blank. No one would stand up for her. No one would fight this for her. She was on her own.

With a deep breath, Bella forced her feet to move, each step heavy as she approached the limo. The driver, a tall man with dark eyes and a grim expression, opened the door for her. She hesitated for a moment, looking back at the estate one last time, knowing she might never return.

The leather seat was cool against her bare skin as she slid inside, the door closing with a soft click. The interior of the limousine was luxurious, every surface gleaming with wealth, but the opulence only deepened the pit in her stomach. She was being delivered like some sort of package, a bride in name only, to a man who had never wanted her.

The silence stretched, broken only by the quiet hum of the engine as they pulled away from the estate. Bella's fingers tightened around the bouquet, her thoughts racing. What would Dante think when he saw her? Would he be angry, knowing that his bride was not the one he had agreed to marry? Or would he not care at all, as long as the deal between their families was honored?

The drive seemed endless, the darkness outside the windows offering no comfort. Her heart pounded in her chest, the anxiety building with every passing second. She couldn't imagine what was waiting for her at the Romano mansion, but she knew enough about Dante to expect the worst.

It was nearly an hour before the limo slowed, the massive iron gates of the Romano estate looming in front of them. The mansion beyond was just as imposing as the stories had suggested-an architectural marvel of stone and glass, cold and unwelcoming. Bella's fingers trembled as she stepped out of the car, the heavy weight of dread settling deep in her bones.

She barely had a moment to collect herself before the doors swung open, revealing Dante Romano himself.

He stood in the doorway, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair slicked back. His eyes-ice-blue and piercing-locked onto hers with a cold intensity that made her breath hitch. He didn't move at first, his expression unreadable as he took her in. Bella couldn't tell if he was angry, disappointed, or merely indifferent.

Then, without a word, he turned and walked back inside.

Bella blinked, her heart hammering in her chest. Was that it? Was she supposed to just follow him inside like some obedient pet? She hesitated, glancing at the driver, who gave her a barely perceptible nod. Swallowing her fear, Bella stepped forward and crossed the threshold into the lion's den.

Inside, the mansion was every bit as grand as she'd imagined, the marble floors gleaming under the crystal chandeliers. The air was cool, almost too cold, and Bella felt a shiver run down her spine as she followed Dante through the hallways. He said nothing, his back rigid, his strides long and purposeful. She had to practically jog to keep up with him, her heels clicking against the floor in the silence.

Finally, they reached what appeared to be a study, the walls lined with dark wood bookshelves and a large desk dominating the center of the room. Dante moved behind the desk and sat down, his gaze never leaving her. He gestured to the chair in front of him.

"Sit."

The command was simple, but it carried an undeniable weight. Bella's legs felt like jelly as she lowered herself into the chair, clutching the bouquet in her lap like a lifeline. She could feel his eyes on her, studying her, but she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze.

Minutes passed in tense silence, the only sound the ticking of a clock somewhere in the room. Bella's mind raced with a thousand questions, but she couldn't find the courage to ask any of them. Instead, she sat there, waiting for him to make the first move.

"Do you know why you're here?"

His voice was low, smooth, and dangerous. Bella swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry.

"My... my uncle arranged it," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dante's lips twitched into something that might have been a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Yes, I'm aware of your uncle's part in this. What I want to know is if you had any say in this arrangement."

Bella's throat tightened. "I didn't," she said quietly. "It wasn't supposed to be me."

There was a pause, and Bella risked a glance up at him. Dante's expression had darkened, his eyes narrowing slightly. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

"And yet, here you are."

Bella bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She hadn't wanted this, but that didn't change the fact that she was now bound to a man who could destroy her with a single word.

"I didn't have a choice," she whispered, her voice shaking.

Dante's gaze softened, but only for a moment. "No one in our world has a choice," he said quietly. "But we all have to live with the consequences of our decisions."

He rose from his chair, moving around the desk to stand in front of her. Bella tensed as he approached, her heart pounding in her chest. He reached out, his fingers brushing against her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.

"For now, you'll stay here," he said, his voice softer than she expected. "This marriage will go ahead as planned. But understand this, Bella-I don't trust you. And until you prove otherwise, you'll be under my watch."

Bella's breath caught in her throat as his words sank in. There was no escape from this. She was trapped, tied to a man who didn't trust her, in a world she didn't belong to.

And the worst part? Some dark, twisted part of her wasn't sure if she even wanted to leave.