The flight from Madrid to Barcelona felt like a lifetime. Even as the plane cruised over the Spanish landscape, Lina couldn't escape the weight on her chest. Her father's words echoed in her mind: "You're to marry Dominic Romano".
She hated it. But what else could she do? Her options were limited, her future already dictated by a man whose only emotion was power.
When the plane landed, she wasn't met by the usual business entourage. Instead, there was a black SUV waiting, sleek and quiet, as though prepared to whisk her away to an unknown fate.
As she stepped off the plane and into the tarmac, a figure emerged from the shadows, tall, broad-shouldered, and as immaculately dressed as any cartel lord. But it wasn't the cut of his suit or the cold steel of his eyes that made her heart skip a beat. It was the intensity—the aura of danger wrapped in a sleek exterior.
Dominic Romano. He had come to welcome her himself.
She furrowed her brows in curiousity. He wasn't what she expected. He was more.
The man was a legend in Spain. A self-made billionaire who controlled half of Barcelona's underground tech empire. But what really set him apart from the others was his infamous ties to the Roman mafia in Italy, which he'd inherited after his father's sudden death. They said he was a killer with a smile—a man who hid his darkness behind his wealth and influence.
And yet, standing there with a face carved from stone, his sharp jawline betraying no emotion, he looked every bit the devil her father had promised her. Charming, elegant, and extremely irresistible.
He was dressed in an impeccably tailored suit that accentuated his height and broad frame, his eyes unreadable.
Lina couldn't suppress a sardonic smile.
"Dominic Romano," she said, her voice as cold as the night wind. "The infamous Roman Devil. It's a... pleasure to finally meet you."
His lips curled into something between a smirk and a challenge. He didn't think she'd be this forward. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Señorita Morales. Welcome to Barcelona."
Lina scoffed. "You know, i didn't think you'd come here yourself. It's almost very charming of you." she grinned.
Dominic smiled, he could see through whatever Lina was trying to do. "What can I say... I'm a gentleman."
Lina snorted. "The renowned Dominic Romano... being a gentleman? Now that's something. I've heard stories about you, y'know."
Dominic chuckled. "I'm sure you have. And I'm sure some of them are true."
She studied him carefully, eyes narrowed. "I don't know whether to thank you for saving me from my father's hell or curse you for bringing me into your own."
He stepped closer, his presence enveloping her. "You'll decide soon enough, Lina. Whether you fight me, use me, or end up in bed with me… I'll let you choose."
She bristled, but the fire in his eyes made her hesitate.
"I'm not some little girl you can control," she snapped.
"Then prove it," he challenged, his voice low.
Her gaze met his, and for a second, she considered the man before her—not the enemy, not the man her father had sold her to, but something else. A man who was just as trapped by the violence surrounding him as she was.
But she wouldn't allow herself to fall into the trap.
She tossed her hair back and climbed into the car. He followed without a word, shutting the door behind him with a deliberate click. The car began to move, cutting through the streets of Barcelona.
For the first time in months, Lina felt an unsettling mix of fear and curiosity creep under her skin. Dominic Romano wasn't like any man she'd ever met. And though she hated herself for it, she knew he was a force she wouldn't be able to escape from so easily.
The drive to Dominic's residence was silence, both Lina and Dominic thinking about how to make their next move. This wasn't some fairy tale where the Prince and Princess get to know each other and bond. No. Not at all.
This was real life. And there was only one truth to it. Survive or die.
The Romano estate was hidden in the hills just outside Barcelona, a sprawling compound surrounded by lush vineyards and dense forests. The mansion itself was a blend of old-world elegance and modern luxury—marble floors that gleamed under crystal chandeliers, a grand staircase that spiraled upward like the twisted path of their future.
Lina was escorted to her room, a lavish suite with a view of the Mediterranean coast, the water sparkling in the distance like the treasure she'd just been handed.
But no matter how beautiful the surroundings, she couldn't shake the feeling of being imprisoned.
Dominic had left her alone for a while, but now, as evening settled over the estate, she knew the game would begin. The silence was oppressive, thick with the weight of expectations and plans she had no control over.
She flopped onto the king-sized bed in her room, recollecting what Dominic had said to her before leaving the room.
"I've prepared a small feast for you... to acknowledge your arrival." he said. "So please join me in the dining hall later.. and put on something elegant."
Lina scoffed. "Something elegant? Who the hell does he think he is? Even my father never tells me how to dress." she murmured, getting frustrated.
"I still can't believe i would have to stay with him for... who knows how long." she pondered. "He's clearly up to something... and whatever it is, i will find out sooner or later."
Then she went over to the wardrobe which had already been arranged with both the clothes she brought, and the ones Dominic bought for her.
She went through the dresses one by one, shoving them away in dissatisfaction. She wasn't pleased with the styles he had gotten for her. And she herself didn't own much gowns. She never liked them, they made feel... vulnerable.
But eventually, she was fascinated by a blood-red flamenco-inspired minidress. It was an incredible piece of clothing, and she couldn't help but admire it, even though she normlly never fancied dresses.
A smirk grew on her lips as she grabbed it. "Perfecto.