The first time I stepped outside as Luca De Santis's wife, the world looked exactly the same.
That terrified me.
The morning sun glinted off the black luxury cars lined up in the driveway. Men in dark suits stood with military precision, eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. Their hands never strayed far from the weapons hidden beneath tailored jackets.
I was surrounded by power.
And none of it was mine.
"Stand straight."
Luca's voice was low, controlled, coming from beside me as I paused at the top of the marble steps. He hadn't touched me, but his presence was heavy commanding.
I lifted my chin.
"You are not afraid," he continued quietly. "You are untouchable. Anyone who looks at you must believe that."
I forced my shoulders back. "And if I am afraid?"
"Then you hide it," he said. "Fear is blood in the water."
The words settled deep in my chest.
A driver opened the car door. Luca entered first, then gestured for me to follow. As soon as I sat beside him, the door closed, sealing us into a cocoon of leather and silence.
The convoy pulled away.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"A charity gala," Luca replied. "Rossi territory."
My heart skipped. "Your enemies?"
"They prefer the term rivals," he said calmly. "Smile. Tonight, we play a role."
The city blurred past the windows as my pulse quickened. "What role?"
"My perfect wife."
The venue was a restored historic mansion overlooking the river, lights blazing, cameras flashing as our car stopped at the entrance. The moment Luca stepped out, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations hushed. Heads turned.
Then Luca reached back and offered his hand.
Every instinct screamed at me to hesitate.
I didn't.
The flash of cameras was blinding as I stepped into the night beside him. Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Is that her?"
"He finally married?"
"Poor girl…"
Luca's hand slid possessively to my waist. "Closer," he murmured.
I obeyed.
We moved through the crowd like royalty, smiles polished, masks perfectly in place. People approached, offering congratulations, thinly veiled curiosity gleaming in their eyes.
"Elena," Luca said softly, "this is Marco Rossi."
The man before us smiled but his eyes were sharp, assessing. Dangerous.
"So this is the mystery bride," Marco said. "You're… younger than I expected."
Luca's grip tightened. "She's exactly what I wanted."
Marco chuckled. "Of course. Tell me, Elena are you enjoying married life?"
I met his gaze, remembering Luca's words. Untouchable.
"Yes," I said smoothly. "My husband takes very good care of me."
Something flickered in Marco's eyes. Interest. Calculation.
"Does he?" Marco asked. "I hear De Santis men are… demanding."
Luca's smile was ice-cold. "Careful."
Marco raised his hands in mock surrender. "Just conversation."
But as he leaned closer, his voice dropped. "Watch your step, bella. Queens fall quickly in this city."
Luca pulled me away before I could respond.
"You did well," he said quietly as we reached the terrace.
"I thought he was going to bite me," I whispered.
"That's because he was," Luca replied. "And you didn't bleed."
The night wore on, the tension never easing. I felt eyes on me constantly judging, measuring.
Then my phone vibrated in my clutch.
I frowned. No one had my number.
I glanced at the screen.
UNKNOWN NUMBER
Blink twice if you want to live.
My breath caught.
I froze.
Luca noticed instantly. "What is it?"
I looked up at him slowly, forcing my face into calm neutrality.
"Nothing," I lied.
But my heart was pounding violently as I slipped the phone back into my bag.
Moments later, the lights flickered.
A scream cut through the air.
Chaos erupted.
Security surged forward as a glass display shattered near the entrance. People ran. Shouted. Luca's arm wrapped around me, pulling me behind him.
"Move," he barked into his earpiece.
Gunfire echoed one shot, then another.
I gasped as Luca shoved me toward the exit, his body shielding mine.
The car was just ahead when something slammed into me from behind.
I stumbled.
Hands grabbed my arms.
A voice hissed in my ear. "Run now, or die later."
Luca turned just as I was dragged into the darkness.
"Elena!"
The sound of my name tore from him as the world spun.
And then.
Everything went black.