ien

o needs to hear what I act

ntly off the vaulted ceilings of the cathedral as

vesdrop on the pathetic prayers of a ruined family's daughter, but her sheer audacity kept me rooted to the s

marble. "If I have to marry, he must be breathtaking. Built like a Gre

Griffin empire was crumbling into dust, yet this pa

y. If he ever dares to take a mistress, I'll take him to the cleaners. I'll leave

digging child who understood nothing of our world. In the *Famiglia*, marriage wasn't born of love or loyalty; it was a brutal tran

encounter, I turned and

I reached into my tailored coat for my keys, but my instincts flared a fracti

arrow walkway. *Enfor

ness that demanded absolute obedience. "What is the meaning of

My most trusted Soldier. His face was a blank, unr

his tone devoid of its usual deference

er. The Matriarch and the sole

without flinching, "you will marry Francesca Gri

the Don," I commanded, the absolute authority of my

ne m

Elder to force a union if the family's survival or bloodline was at stake. It was a law older than the

er's maneuver distracted me. I calculated the political fallou

of distraction was

I could draw my weapon, he was behind me. A thick cloth, reeking of a

forcers swarmed, pinning my arms with heavy, coordinated precision. I held my breath, fighting the i

stone arches of the clo

truggling to keep the rag over my face as my knees finally buckl

ed me under. Isabella Griffin wanted a loyal Greek god.

d me whole, sealing m