Gia Alessandro is the daughter of a very popular mafia boss who is feared and respected but for his whole life he has been at war with a rival mafia gang. How he made his money and she did not ask questions but she made sure it was clear from the beginning that she would be in control of her love life. So when her father told her she would be marrying the rival gang's heir, she was livid and rebelled. Lorenzo Federico, the rival gang's heir, is a cold, ruthless and dominating Playboy and he makes it clear that he would never love her or treat her like a woman. They both end up in a loveless marriage which leads Gia into the arms of another man who treats her well. Read to find out what happens when Gia finds herself trapped in a marriage with a monster.

Chapter 1 THE SEALED FATE

Gia.

"YOU have no right Papa", I yell at the top of my voice to my father, who just sits there staring straight at me.

My hands are clenched into fists as I glare at him from across the wide mahogany desk in his office. The dim lighting does nothing to soften the sharp lines of his face and the cold expression in his eyes.

Matteo Alessandro, is a man feared by many, respected by all, the only person in the world who has the power to decide my fate without my consent.

He exhales slowly, his fingers entwined together as if he's already bored of my outburst. "I don't need your permission, Ria. This is bigger than you."

His words are like ice down my spine. I know my father and once his mind is made up, there is no changing it. But this? This is my life. My freedom. My choice, and he's stripping it away like it means nothing.

I slam my hands on his desk. "I told you I'd never marry for business! I told you I'd choose my own life, my own love! and now, you're selling me off like I'm some bargaining chip?"

My father's jaw tightens, but his voice remains infuriatingly calm. "This isn't a discussion, Ria. The date has already been set."

The air is sucked from my lungs. I stagger back, shaking my head as the words he just said crashes down on me. The date is set. My fate is sealed.

I feel sick. My entire body trembles as I try to process what this means. Marrying a man I don't know. A man from a family we've been at war with for years. A man who was raised in bloodshed and power, just like me.

"Why him?" My voice is hoarse now, the fight in me dimming under reality. I think of Domingo, the man I actually love and have given my heart to, what would become of him.

My father leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "Lorenzo Federico is the heir to the Federico empire. This alliance will bring peace to both families. No more bloodshed. No more war, and you..." he pauses, his gaze hardening, "you will do your duty as my daughter."

My stomach twists violently.

Duty. That's all I am to him, a pawn to be moved on the chessboard of his empire. Not his daughter. Not a woman with her own dreams. Just a tool to secure his legacy.

I straighten my spine, forcing down the lump in my throat. "And if I refuse?"

A heavy silence fills the room before he speaks. "Then you will not just be going against me, Ria. You will be going against the entire family."

I swallow hard. There it is. The unspoken threat.

Defying my father does not just mean walking away, it means exile. It means losing everything and everyone I have ever known. It means war.

The walls of my world are closing in on me, and I cannot breathe.

The door swings open suddenly, and my mother steps in, her eyes glancing between us. She knows. Of course, she knows.

"Ria," she says gently, like she's trying to soothe a wild animal. "It's already done."

I stare at her, feeling betrayed. She won't fight for me. No one will.

My father rises from his seat, his final words leaving no room for argument.

"You will meet Lorenzo tomorrow."

Then he walks past me, disappearing down the hall, leaving me alone.

"You know the kind of man your father is ", my mom says walking towards me.

She cups my face in her hands. "I know you Ria, you are already thinking of how to escape, but think of your father. It is as hard for him to do this as it is for you."

I am furious at what she says but I am not surprised. She would support her husband even if it means following him to his grave.

"Mi amore, she continues, "I understand how you feel, I also got married to your father against my will, but I learned to love him and I know you will learn to love Lorenzo".

I push her away at this, ignoring whatever guilt it caused.

I storm out of my father's office, my heart pounding with anger and frustration. His decision might be final, but I refuse to accept it.

My heels click loudly against the marble floors as I take long strides through the corridors of the estate. My father's voice still echoes in my head. "The date has been set."

I need a plan, yes, I just need to think of a way to get out of this mess. I have never been one to accept the shit life throws at me.

I shove the double doors open and steps onto the balcony, sucking in icy cold night air. The view of the city spread before me, life continuing as if my world hasn't just been shattered.

My hands grip the railing so tightly that my knuckles turn white.

"There has to be a way out of this. Maybe I should run.", I whisper to myself, ignoring my mother's words.

I push through the balcony doors, my mind made up to run away. I dial Domingo's number with shaky fingers as I walk out of the building. The cold air stings my face, but I don't care.

The line rings. Once. Twice.

"Ria?" His voice is groggy. "What's wrong?"

"My father, he's marrying me off to the Federicos," I whisper urgently. "We need to leave. I can't-"

A hand snatches my phone away making my stomach drop, thinking it's my father or one of his men.

Spinning around, I come face-to-face with Lorenzo Federico.

He towers over me, his expression amused. He holds my phone up, smirking.

Then, he puts it to his ear. "Domingo, was it?" Silence.

Lorenzo looks at me, his smirk widening.

"Running won't help you, sweetheart."

View More Comments on App

Other books by Geneva Cross

FORCED TO BE HIS

Billionaires

5.0

Valerie Hemsworth has always lived in the shadows, timid, obedient and the perfect assistant to ruthless, demanding billionaire CEO Damien Culligan. She has spent years trying to never step out of line. Their relationship has always been servant-master like, but after a drunken one night stand, she ends up pregnant for him. When Valerie tries to run from the humiliation and chaos, Damien stops her and she is forced into a loveless marriage. Not ready to let go of her long time lover, she decides to run away with him. However, as she enters his apartment, she catches her best friend in bed with him. Read to find out what happens when Valerie discovers the truth behind her marriage with Damien.

FROM SLAVE TO LUNA

Werewolf

5.0

"Just kill me please", Serena begged as cold chains tightened around her wrists. Born a Luna heir, she would rather die than serve a pack that brutally murdered her family. But when death denies her mercy, revenge becomes her only reason to live. Fate offers her a second chance as she is sent to serve the alpha family of her enemies, but Serena faces a tough choice: to continue on her quest for vengeance or surrender to a love she never expects.

Claimed Under The Blood Moon

Werewolf

5.0

For as long as she can remember, Aria Caelan has been invisible, a ghost in the halls of her high school, a shadow in her own home. Bullied mercilessly, ignored by her father, and tormented by a stepmother who relishes making her life hell, Aria has only ever longed for one thing, to belong. So when her class takes a field trip to a wildlife reserve, she defies her father's orders and sneaks out, hoping for one moment of escape. Lured into the dense forest by a cruel prank, Aria soon finds herself trapped, outnumbered, and at the mercy of her tormentors. But just as fists are raised and she prepares to welcome the darkness, a bone-chilling howl echoes through the trees. A stranger emerges. Tall, fierce, and dangerous. His eyes glow silver in the moonlight. His presence sends her attackers fleeing in terror. And when he takes her hand and whispers, "Run," she doesn't hesitate.What she doesn't know is that she hasn't escaped the wolves. She's just been claimed by one. Aria wakes in an unfamiliar place, a world hidden in the depths of the wilderness. Her rescuer is no ordinary boy. He is Ronan Sinclair, heir to the Midnight Pack. A war is brewing. A stolen relic must be found before the next blood moon. And Aria? She may be more connected to the wolves than she ever imagined.With a dangerous love square, buried family secrets, and a brewing war between rival packs, Aria must choose: return to the human world where she was nothing or embrace the wild, where she might be everything.

You'll also like

The Despised Son-in-law Strikes Back

Sydney Chaplin

4.9

"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!

His Unwanted Wife, The World's Coveted Genius

Derk Blaylock

3.8

Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."

I Wait For You, My Love

Sheela Romoli

5.0

Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.

The Phantom Heiress: Rising From The Shadows

Quint Shroyer

5.0

Brenna lived with her adoptive parents for twenty years, enduring their exploitation. When their real daughter appeared, they sent Brenna back to her true parents, thinking they were broke. In reality, her birth parents belonged to a top circle that her adoptive family could never reach. Hoping Brenna would fail, they gasped at her status: a global finance expert, a gifted engineer, the fastest racer... Was there any end to the identities she kept hidden? After her fiancé ended their engagement, Brenna met his twin brother. Unexpectedly, her ex-fiancé showed up, confessing his love...

Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Adventurous

3.7

Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."

Rejected No More: I Am Way Out Of Your League, Darling!

Kennan Parish

4.7

For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."

6/F MANULIFE PLACE 348 KWUN TONG ROAD KL

Resources

For Authors Contact Us Tags Completed

Referrals

Law

Conditions of Service Privacy Policy Copyright Complaints

Download App

APP STORE

GOOGLE PLAY

THE MAFIA'S PAWN

About

Contents