Sofia

We are at the dining table, and Luca raises his glass. He taps it with his fork to get everyone's attention. I look up at him.

"So tonight we gather here for the union of Sofia Romano and me, and I am pleased to say that I like her and would like to marry her."

His brothers Rocco and Antonio cheer for him, his mother gasps in shock, and his father gladly stands up to hug my father. His mother immediately takes out a bracelet from her hand. "This is our ancestral diamond bracelet, and I am giving you this in honor of the Moretti family." She makes me wear it.

I force a smile on my face like wow, I am so happy and excited for this wedding too. I remember my father's words, which he told me a week ago. Don't disrespect me in front of the Morettis. I really need to form this alliance with them so that we won't be dead. He strictly told me to say or do anything as Luca says. Now I am just a doll with unspoken words. I have to do everything as Luca says.

As soon as we finish eating dinner, I cut the red velvet cake into small pieces and put it on small plates. I take a cherry and put it on Luca's piece of cake. I share it with everyone. Everyone is sitting in the patio, sipping alcohol now. Whiskey on the rocks for the men and red wine for us ladies.

"Oh my goodness, Sofia, this cake is so delicious," Luca's mother says to me.

"Thank you." I smile at her.

I take my cake and sit a bit far from everyone. I keep my glass on the table and munch on my cake. Luca walks close to me, and he takes the cherry from his cake and makes me eat it. "Open your mouth," he orders, and I do. He pops it inside my mouth, and I chew it.

"I'll pop your cherry just like that," he whispers in my ear.

I shiver at his words. He sits on the chair next to me. Our patio is huge because Father usually has his meetings over here. There is a bar and wooden chairs and tables. It is like a bar itself, so cozy and elegant. He takes a sip from his whiskey, his eyes never leaving mine.

"We will be living here. Your father said when he has such a huge house, we don't have to pay for a hotel." He leans closer. "Do you know what's more interesting?" His voice is calm.

"What?" I question with a shrug.

I take a spoonful of red velvet.

"Your father granted me access to sleep in your bedroom, next to you under the same blanket."

My eyes widen, and suddenly the cake is tasteless. "No. You can't sleep in my bedroom." I keep my voice low, but I am scolding him.

He smirks like a devil. "Yes, I can. Our parents want us to get to know each other as soon as possible because once we are married, I need an heir." He says it like this is so simple.

"Wait, without my decision?" I shake my head. I am fuming with anger.

"This is why I needed to get married."

"I can't bear your baby in my womb. Not a monster like you."

His jaw tightens, and his fists turn into balls. I am a bit scared because I know how dangerous he can be. He controls himself, then meets my gaze. "Sofia, you'll give me an heir like a good girl."

He takes out his phone and scrolls, then shows me news about a house caught fire, etc. I don't read all of it.

"What is this?" I snap coldly.

He chuckles. "I put a bomb in the house of this family because they disrespected me. If you don't listen to me, I can do the same to your house along with your family inside of it." His tongue twitches. "I'll burn y'all to ashes." He speaks like Lucifer himself from hell.

I remain quiet because last time I was asking a made man who works for my father about what he knows about Luca Moretti, he told me terrible things. He has removed people's eyeballs, cracked enemies' skulls, cut off the private part of a man who was abusing his wife. Well, I am certain what he can do if I refuse to obey him. We are already family rivals for ages, and our families are attempting hard to make everything look normal just to merge businesses and soldiers to create a stronger territory so that the Russian Bratva can't invade.

Now I am supposed to be listening to everything Luca Moretti tells me, even if it's taking my virginity and providing him an heir. I already belong to him now. Tears prickle in my eyes, and I look at Luca sitting next to me and enjoying the cheesecake I made with so much love and appreciation. I pray that something happens before the wedding and Luca cancels it or starts disliking me. Maybe I should start behaving like a whore or something, not keep being a good innocent girl. I want him to hate me. I don't want him to marry me. Not now and not even in the future.

I can't imagine myself as his wife. Luca Moretti is a monster. He will tear me into pieces if I make any blunder. What have I gotten myself into?

"I will never abuse you or cause harm to you. I promise to protect you my entire life, but one thing, Sofia..." he pauses, his dark midnight eyes peeking at me, "I'll need you to sleep with me every day. I am a man who occupies lots of things. I get tired, and when I return home, I expect to be with my wife."

I look at him with terror in my eyes. His hand reaches forward, and he wipes my tears. "Don't cry, mia cara," he whispers.

"I will be gentle with you." He lets out a smirk as if he has read my mind.