Bride of the Mafia cripple

a's neck felt like chains, cold

mahogany shelves filled with ancient books and gold-framed portraits of dead men with lifeless

feared underworld magnate in the southern bloc, stood with

uciano," he declared,

e he summoned her with no explanation, and now the reason stood before her, tal

ok a slow sip, his gaze drifting out the tall window overlooking the iron-wrought gates. "Thi

How to speak with power, walk with power, smile without ever showing weakne

er voice trembled, bu

his head sharp

ut she didn't. "I said I'm not marrying Adam. He's v

to a cold smirk. "You'll be

or sale,"

all before she saw it leave his hand. Sh

am Luciano is offering us protection, alliance, and legacy. You thi

them away. Showing weakness was dangerous.

r die than

g silence

just inches from her face. His voice dropp

could destroy her in other ways. Lock her up. Strip her o

to leave

ed in the champagne-colored gown her father had ordered for the engagement

e, the one she'd hidden for months. Inside were notes she'd scribbled sec

Alle

s dangerous to ut

t that left Allerick in a wheelchair, and that the Don had sworn to end the Valencia bloodline in return

lace a Valencia s

s her onl

and stuffed it with cash, forged ID, a burner ph

by her younger sister's room. Her heart clenched, but she didn'

the route she'd practiced in her head a hundred times. Her pulse raced

d. A car she paid off weeks ago

he got in, slammed the

ed to life, and

ry took six hours. Every turn felt

ing into the sky. The city faded behind her, replaced by thick woo

n know if he'd see her, or kill her on sight. But the fea

ack coat flapping behind her in the

ick," she called out, tryi

le

speakers, a voic

a Val

ping their coffee inside. The daughter of Frankli

here yo

slowly, groanin

suited men stepping out. Their e

, just motioned f

is could be her end. But she'd rather di

te, a fortress-like mansion, nothing like her father's polis

m lamps and flickering firelight. It smel

he e

Alle

ing like sh

nd that didn't need movement. His sharp jawline, scarred slightly near the tem

k at first. Ju

nd indifferent. "The lion's daughte

chin. "I came to

ould be begging for mercy

ercy," she said. "I

und. "You ran from Daddy. How swee

tract marriag

om wen

darkened. "You think t

nd I'll be your bride. Your pawn. Whatever you want

in re

ver Franklin Valenc

der firelight. "Tell me, Leora... did Daddy ever mention

. Then you won't need to

like a man deciding wh

like naiv

," she said. "

as a lo

y, he said,