Aria POV

My father always tells me that fear is a weakness. I never believe him. Fear is not a weakness. It is the body accepting danger before the mind does.And tonight, every instinct in my body is screaming

"Pop!"The sound of a champagne bottle being opened makes me look up.

I stand beside a table, watching the celebration. I am holding a glass filled with wine in one hand while I hold my dress tightly with the other.

Hundreds of candles are flickering along the tables, their flames reflecting on the wine glasses. Women dressed in silk and covered in diamonds move gracefully between the tables, while men in perfectly tailored black suits stand in small groups, speaking quietly enough that nobody outside their circles can hear.

Everybody looks happy, but I know they are not. They have to act like they are.

This isn't an ordinary celebration. It is the wedding of Don Viti, the man who rules over all the Mafia families in the country. When Don Viti celebrates something, it is always a big deal. Of course, all six families have to be there. The Caruso, the Livotis, the Franconis, the Revanis, the Vitiellos and the Bellinis.

Names that have controlled the underground world for generations. Tonight, they are all under the same roof, pretending they don't hate one another.

"Bored a little?"

I turn around. Aiden is a few feet away from me.

"Yeah, I guess," I say, my lips curving into a smile.

He looks unfairly handsome tonight. His black suit fits him perfectly. The first two buttons of his white shirt are unbuttoned, and his hair is pushed back, but a few strands have fallen towards his face.

He walks towards me, holds my waist and our lips meet softly. Then he holds my hand.

Warm. Familiar. Safe.

Three things that are rare in my world.

"You look beautiful," he whispers.

I glance down at my dress. It is a deep burgundy color, fitted around my waist before falling softly towards the ground.

"Thanks."

"I'm serious."

I let out a gentle laugh.

"I know." He gives me a warm smile. "I love you."

"I love you too."

We both stare at each other for a while in silence.

"I need to go discuss our engagement with Don Viti.""Do you want to go alone?" My voice shakes, but I don't move. I don't go with him.

"No. I don't want you to get bored by a more serious conversation."

I snicker.Aiden slides his hand away from mine and walks away. I turn back to the direction I am facing earlier and continue observing everyone.Something stirs inside me. I want us. I want us My eyes keep moving around the room, studying people's activities.Suddenly, my eyes meet his. It feels like he has been staring at me before, but that would be ridiculous.It is Massimo Livoti. He is a very ruthless Mafia boss. He kills people like it is nothing.But there is one thing he cherishes.

Family.Massimo does everything he can to protect his family and the people he loves.

I have recently heard that he is going to be the next Mafia head. My father doesn't want that to happen.

He wears a burgundy suit that fits perfectly on his shoulders, with a black shirt underneath. The top of his shirt is open, showing part of his chest. His dark hair is slightly disheveled, as though he hasn't bothered to make himself look presentable for anyone.He is devastatingly handsome. I hate that the first thought that enters my mind is that he’s is terrifying. Second thought is worse, he is beautiful."He's..." I whisper to myself before quickly looking away.

I am going to marry the man I love in a few weeks. I shouldn't be thinking about this. I push the thought away.

"CRASH!"

The sound of a bottle shattering makes me spin around.It is Idris, my brother. He has a guy by the collar, their faces only inches apart. And judging by the look on Idris's face, something is seriously wrong.I hurry towards them, heart pounding. Idris has a gun in his hand before I can blink, right pocket."I'll blow your fucking brains out". My stomach drops.

“Idris please, not here"

Idris releases his collar and points a gun directly at his forehead.

“Sis please, don't get involved in this"

There is nothing in his eyes but red, and the decision is already made. Massimo appears out of nowhere and steps between them, giving my brother a death stare.I think he is planning to cause more trouble. I am sure the wedding is about to get bloody.

"Lay a hand on my brother, and your family ends with you."

His brother? My pulse races.

"Walk out with your family, or I'll drag you all out!

"You wouldn't dare!"

That is it. I am not letting him talk to my family like that.

"And who exactly are you!" My tone says everything.

He gives me the kind of look that ends people. The arrogance rolls off him in waves.

"I could end your family in the blink of an eye". His threat means nothing to me.

"You wouldn't."

Silence.

His frown transforms to a smirk.

"Aria Caruso right?". I don't utter a word, I just stare in anger.

"You're very much aware that I'm about to become the next Don..... so that means you're going to submit to me. And I can end your entire family if I want to".

My heart thuds, fast and uneven. He is right. I sigh.

I turn to face my brother.

"Idris please, let's just drop this. We don't want to mess with them."

Idris focuses his eyes on Massimo. He holds the gun so tightly.

"Ok sis, for you. That doesn't mean I'm scared of them". Massimo chuckles. "Sure you're not." I squint at him.

I hold my brother by this hand, we both walk away.

Back to my former position, my thoughts are crowded with the fact that Massimo's about to become the new Don.

"You're staring". Massimo stands beside me, I am startled.

"It seems you enjoy my company". I give him a displeasing smile. "Trust me, I don't!"

Aiden comes out of nowhere. He looks at Massimo with so much anger and disdain.

"what's going on here?". Massimo smiles and winks at him. "Chill man, we're just talking".

Aiden grips my hand and pulls me out of there. He takes me to the lounge.

"What are you doing?". He doesn't sound happy.

"It was nothing, trust me. He just threatened to kill my family."

"You sure?" I smile. "You're jealous."

He wraps his hands around my waist.

"Well, Don Viti approved of our engagement". I grin. My heart feels light. I am finally going to be with the man I love.

"Well isn't that great". I straighten his tie.

"let's celebrate. Wine cellar, see you in ten", he says. I look at him through my lashes. "Ok sweetie."

"Aria." My smile disappears. I know that voice. My father's.I turn. He stands several feet away. His expression is unreadable."Come." Aiden's hand tightens around mine. My father looks at him.

"Aiden."

"Sir."

My father's eyes move between us. Then to our joined hands. Something flickers across his face.

Disapproval.

"Aria." I reluctantly release Aiden's hand.

"I'll see you there," Aiden murmurs. I nod. My father waits until Aiden disappears before speaking.

"Stop looking at him like that." I frown. "Like what?"

"Like you love him." My stomach tightens. "Why?"

"Because love makes people careless."

"I don't think loving someone makes you careless."

My father gives me a cold look.

"You haven't lived long enough to understand".

There it is again. That one. The one that reminds me that I am his daughter before a person.

"You see that man over there?". His gaze snaps towards Massimo.

"Massimo Livoti."

"Do you know what happens when a man like him gains absolute power?"

"No."

"Everyone around him becomes disposable." I look at my father.

"Why are you telling me this?" His jaw tightens.

“Because I don't want you anywhere near him."

Something about his voice makes me uneasy.

"Was I planning to?"

"Good". He walks away. I remain where I am, but my eyes betray me.

I look towards Massimo. He is in a conversation with Don Viti.

Massimo doesn't smile. He simply stands there.

Watching, observing, calculating.

I make my way to the wine cellar. I pull the door open, enter the room and shut it immediately.

It is really dark. I fumble along the wall for the light switch.

A hand closes around my waist. I giggle. He turns me and kisses me confidently like never before. He practically rips off my dress. In the blink, he is standing naked in front of me. I turn my back against him.

"Why is Aiden this muscular, has he been working out", I think. He kisses me passionately. I kiss him back with just as much fervour. Excited to finally feel some chemistry.

Confident hands lift my legs.

"I can't wait to feel myself inside of you". He moves his hands over my tits. Kneading.

I lean into his touch desperate for him.

"Please... don't hold back". I moan. He leans towards my tits. "Ughh". He turns me around and pushes me against the wine barrel. With my back facing his chest."God you taste so good."After 15 minutes of sex and 2 orgasms, we stop.

I pick my bra and panties. My eyes move around, searching for my dress."Aiden?... fuck you gotta be kidding me."He flicks on the lights. My stomach drops when I look into Massimo's very angry face.

"Oh my God, you can't tell anyone about this."

"I plan on taking this to my grave. But you better not say anything either."

"You must have seen my face when you came in.""Hell no, it was dark. I had no idea you'll be here."I replay the past 15 minutes in my mind. Wondering how I couldn't have known it was him."No first I need to know you didn't set me up. Because I was so supposed to meeting someone else.""Seriously?, you think I'll exchange sex for setting you up?"

I push past him, and grab my rip dress lying somewhere on the ground, quickly putting it on. Massimo also gets dressed.

I step out of the cellar, then I quickly shut the door behind me.

Aiden approaches me.

"Aria I got caught up with my father, but I'm ready now."

Just then Veronica, Don Viti's spoilt brat of a daughter comes strutting towards the door.

"Excuse me, I need to get in there."

Massimo comes out right after, adjusting the button of his shirt.

"What the!! Massimo did you fuck Aria Caruso."

"God. You just fucked my Fiancee?"

We both ignore the question.

Don Viti and other guests approach us.

"There you are Aria, let's discuss about your wedding with Aiden."

"There'll be no wedding, because Aria just fucked Massimo Livoti!"