The wedding hall glittered with chandeliers and roses, but you felt nothing. Beside you sat your fiancé, the man your parents forced you to marry. He smiled proudly, but behind that smile was obsession. He had cheated before. He had hurt you. And yet here you were, dressed as his bride.

But your heart… was somewhere else.

With Dante Marcello.

Your childhood friend. The boy who used to carry you on his shoulders after school, who always protected you. Life had turned him cold. His mother died young, then later his father was murdered right in front of him.

And the man behind that death… was your own uncle.

That was the cruel twist of fate. Dante was supposed to be your enemy. But you loved him. And he loved you.

The night before the wedding, he had come.

You were sitting on your bed, tears running down your face when the window creaked open. You gasped but it was him. Dante slipped inside like a shadow, his dark eyes finding yours.

“You came,” you whispered, rushing to him.

He caught you in his arms, holding you close, as if he couldn’t breathe without you. “You asked me to save you,” he murmured. “And I will. I’ll burn this whole place to the ground if I have to.”

You clutched his shirt, desperate. “Promise me, Dante. Don’t let them make me his wife.”

His hand cupped your face, thumb brushing your tears. “I promise,” he said, his voice low but fierce. “Tomorrow, you’ll be mine.”

And then he was gone, leaving you with nothing but his scent and his promise.

At the wedding.

“Do you take this man—” the priest began.

BANG!

The wedding doors burst open. Guests screamed as armed men stormed in. At their center Dante. Not the boy you remembered, but a ruthless mafia leader. His aura filled the room, dangerous and untouchable.

He raised his gun and fired twice into the ceiling. The crowd fell silent, trembling.

“Anyone moves,” Dante growled, “Or you’ll regret it.”

Your fiancé jumped up, dragging you back. “She’s my wife! She belongs to me!”

In a flash, Dante’s fist smashed across his jaw. Blood spilled as he staggered back.

“She is mine!” Dante roared. His voice echoed through the hall, deadly and certain. “I’m taking back what belongs to me.”

He lifted you, throwing you over his shoulder as you gasped, clutching him.

“Put her down!” your fiancé screamed, but Dante’s men shoved him back, forcing him to the ground.

The crowd stayed frozen, too afraid to move.

That’s when your brother, finally stepped forward. His jaw was tight, fury blazing in his eyes as he watched you being carried away by the son of his enemy.

At first, he's rage boiled. “You dare touch my sister after what your family cost us?!” he barked. His hand twitched at his gun.

But then he saw your face. The tears. The way you clung to the man who carried you like he was your only safe place in the world.

In that moment, his fury broke. He exhaled sharply, lowering his weapon. His eyes softened. “If you hurt her,” he warned coldly, “I’ll kill you myself. But… if you love her, protect her.”

Dante paused, meeting his eyes. A silent understanding passed between them. Enemies by blood, but bound by their care for you.

Without another word, he carried you out.

Outside, the sleek black Bugatti purred like a beast. He set you into the seat, slid in beside you, and slammed the door shut.

“You’re insane,” you said, voice trembling.

He tilted your chin up with his hand, his dark eyes burning into yours. “No,” he said, brushing a tear from your cheek. “I love you.”