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“Okay, just answer me this, does she even know?” He rubbed the back of his neck, already privy to the answer.

“No, I made sure he knew to keep it that way.” I chuckled. “I told that snake that if he allowed me to marry his daughter, our alliance would be as strong as it once was. His only request was for me to love and protect her, and of course, I agreed. But that cunt doesn’t need to know I didn’t mean it.” I chuckled. “She’ll hate him for arranging this marriage without her knowing. She won’t be able to turn to him when I begin to break her down piece by piece. And just when she might let him in again, I’ll end him.”

“How could he bring her here without her having a clue. How could he do that to his daughter?” I saw a look of disappointment flash across his face.

“I don’t give a shit how he deals with his family. They’re his issue, not mine, so let’s just leave it at that now that I know what I’m doing.”

“Alright, you know best.” Red nodded as Gino and Emmet entered the side room.

“Does he, though?” Gino chuckled.

These three weren’t just my most trusted men, they were my friends. And believe me, I didn’t have many of those.

Didn’t need them.

“I do, Gino, yeah,” I teased.

“They’ve arrived.” Emmet confirmed, glancing at his watch. “Right on time, too.” He put his hand firmly on my shoulder. “Have you actually seen the woman, mate? She’s a knockout.”

To be honest, I hadn’t seen her. Never desired to. A plan was a plan.

“I think even you might struggle to break her. She doesn’t seem the type.” Gino sucked in a“you’re fucked”breath, barely hiding his amusement.

“We’ll see just what type she is, won’t we?” I scoffed, knowing deep down just how easy it would be.

“I will say one thing, though. She didn’t look happy about this whole situation.” Emmet shrugged. “I saw Lee dragging her back here.”

“Good, I’m glad.” Smiling, I finished off the last of the cigarette I’d lit previously. “I’d have paid to see that.”

I strolled towards the foot of the aisle, still not having seen my bride-to-be. I would soon, though, and I couldn’t wait.

“You know every man in this room is jealous of you right now, don’t you?” Gino eyed the many men that sat in the guest seats and I couldn’t care less. “Many have asked for her hand in marriage for their sons or themselves, but that fucker shot each and every one of them down. He must really like you,” he tormented.

“You know he can’t stand me, but then again, the feeling is mutual. He’s just doing this to rebuild the alliance he once had. And I’ll make him think he’s got it.” I smirked. “For now.”

“And you’re sure you ain’t going to fall in love with little miss perfect?” Emmet asked, and I knew he was taking the piss.

“Emmet, say the word love again and I’ll rearrange you until you’re unrecognisable.” I smiled, and to be honest, it was the first genuine smile I’d had of the day.

“You can leave. You don’t need to do this,” my mother said as she stopped in front of me.

“I know you don’t agree with my plan, Mama, but I have to do this.” I kissed her cheek as she let out a sigh of disappointment.

“As you’ve said, but Lorenzo?—”

I led her to her seat, not wanting to continue this conversation anymore. “Mama, just sit back and enjoy the wedding.”

The faint sound of music echoed through the venue as I knew it was time to come face-to-face with Anastacia Fedorov—Victor’s little princess, the apple of his eye, and the final one who’d see him before I made him suffer worse than my father did.

I glanced at the double doors that swung open with force, and that’s when I saw her. All five-foot-four of her. I watched with interest as she reluctantly walked down the aisle beside Victor. She didn’t hold his arm like you’d expect a good mafia daughter to. Instead, she kept her distance, her beautiful yet delicate face marred with an anger so visible she could’ve blown her top any second. I would have had to be an idiot to not notice just how stunning she was, but none of that mattered. Her beauty meant nothing to me. She walked towards me as if she was walking the plank to her own death, only there was no fear hidden in those icy blue eyes. There was something slightly unnerving about her expression, and I was never unnerved.

She walked towards me in a black gown. Surely she wasn’t going to marry me in that?

Wait a damn minute… Why wasn’t she in the dress I’d arranged for her?!

Well, I guess we all knew how she felt about marrying me.

The dress she’d chosen was obviously made for her. It fit perfectly around her petite frame, clinging to her breasts and left very little to the imagination. Her ash blonde hair fell in waves, tumbling to her waist.Fuck me. Was she sent to test my willpower?