Page 1
Chapter 1
Aurora
I stand behind my sister, Audrey, in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom, my fingers gently adjusting the delicate straps of her engagement dress.
The fabric is a deep emerald green, luxurious silk that catches the morning light streaming through the tall windows of her bedroom.
Audrey’s engagement party is tonight, and the entire estate is buzzing like a hive preparing for a queen’s sacrifice.
The house is already alive with chaos, maids hurrying down the halls, florists arranging massive bouquets in the grand ballroom downstairs.
Audrey turns slowly, studying her reflection. The dress hugs her tall, model-like figure perfectly, the color making her gray-green eyes, identical to mine, pop with an almost ethereal intensity.
“What do you think?” she asks, her voice quiet, almost hesitant.
I smooth a nonexistent wrinkle on her shoulder, forcing a small smile. “It’s nice. Really nice. The green makes your eyes pop. You look stunning, Audrey.”
She turns to her side. “You don't think it needs any more adjustment around the hip area?”
“No. I think it's perfect the way it is.”
She turns to fully face the mirror and lets out a heavy sigh and smooths the front of the dress down with both hands, as if the fabric itself is weighing her down.
I meet her gaze in the mirror, and for a moment, neither of us speaks.
“Are you okay doing this?” I ask softly, my hands dropping to my sides.
The question feels pointless the second it leaves my lips. Of course she isn’t.
In a few short hours, she’ll officially become the fiancée of Roman Sokolov, the Pakhan of the Bratva. I feel my stomach twist just thinking his name. Roman is a deadly man, and the fact that my sister is going to be married to him scares me.
A few weeks ago, Father finalized an alliance with the Bratva. Tonight is the celebration. Before making the arrangements, he never once asked if Audrey was okay with it.
Growing up in this house has always meant one thing: our lives belong to Lorenzo Moretti.
Our father.
Every decision we’ve ever made has been made for us. What friends were acceptable. What we wore. Where we went. Every single piece of our future has always rested in his hands.
He doesn’t care what we want. The only thing Father has ever cared about is power. Reputation. What benefits him.
Audrey sighs again, deeper this time. “I have to do this, Aurora. You know I do. There’s no other way. It's what Papa wants.”
“But how long will we keep being pawns in his game? This is marriage, Audrey. For a lifetime. And he’s forcing you to marry a man you don’t even know.”
She turns to face me fully, offering a sad, fragile smile that breaks my heart. “Hopefully doing this will get him off your scent. You won’t have to suffer the same fate.”
My chest aches. She’s always been like this. My big sister, trying to shield me even as she’s being led to the slaughter. I wish I could do something. I wish I could burn this entire system down.
Ever since I can remember, freedom has been the one thing I’ve craved more than air. Audrey and I have whispered about it for years: running away, disappearing, living lives that belong to us instead of the Moretti name.
People think we’re lucky. They see the mansion, expensive dresses, luxury cars, and they think being Lorenzo Moretti’s daughters must be glamorous. They have no idea.
I reach out and take her hands, squeezing them. “I’m so sorry you’re the lamb being offered up this time.”
Audrey squeezes back, but her eyes are distant. “I’ve been digging into him, you know. Since the engagement was announced.” Her voice drops even lower.
“Roman Sokolov… they call him the Devil. Handsome, yes, but ruthless. They say he kills with his bare hands. That he’s ice, completely emotionless. How am I supposed to live with a man like that?”
