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PROLOGUE
NEOMI
Ten Years Old
Before today,I’ve never heard of the termarranged marriage. And from the way my cousin, Carla, is crying about it at her wedding, it sounds like a bad thing.
“Please don’t make me do this,” Carla whimpers. “I’m in love with someone else.” Tears slip down her cheeks and smear her mascara.
Rumor has it, Carla went off to college and fell in love.
He comes from a long line of law enforcement.
Marrying such a man would put shame on our family.
We’re gathered in the bridal suite to prepare for her special day. The maid of honor is in the corner, chugging champagne. My mother kneels at my feet and fluffs my flower girl dress to perfection while my sister Bria whines about wearing pink.
My aunt scoffs. “Love is for idiots, my dear daughter.”
Carla’s sobs grow louder.
“I don’t love Aldo.” Carla says her fiancé’s name with a sneer.
My mother pauses her fluffing to swat at Carla’s ankles and glowers at her. “Your heart belongs to you andonly you,my beautiful girl.” She captures Carla’s hand and gently squeezes it. “We never give something so valuable of ourselves to anyone.”
Carla cries harder.
“Arranged marriages are our families’ way,” my mother adds, dropping Carla’s hand and returning to my dress. “It’s what keeps us strong. You have to keep your heart out of it.”
“Prepare yourself, sweet cousin,” Carla says, glancing at me with sad brown eyes. “Arranged marriages are all we get from this life.” Her face twists, as if she envisions a grim fate for us both. “And whatever you do, don’t fall in love with your husband. He’ll rip your heart into pieces.” She peers over her shoulder to my aunt. “It’s what my father did to my mother.”
Carla gasps when my aunt roughly tugs her back.
“Skip the fairy tales, Nee-Nee,” Carla continues, using my nickname, her crestfallen gaze pinned on me. “True love isn’t meant for girls like us. Read true crime to understand your future.”
“Enough,” my mother warns Carla. “Don’t fill her head with such nonsense.”
* * *
Eighteen Years Old
It isn’tuntil I turn eighteen that I realize Carla’s warning was true. My father has contracted me to marry Benito “Benny” Marchetti—heir to the most feared Mafia family in New York.
The Marchettis are criminals.
Ruthless and cunning.
Benny’s father, Cristian, is known as Monster Marchetti.
A monster only creates monsters.
When my father breaks the news, I sob and swear I’m fleeing the country when the day comes.
I live my life with the dark cloud of marriage looming over me and pray it never does.
CHAPTERONE
NEOMI
