Bonds

Chapter 166

-Maya’s POV-

Six month’s later

Epilogue 1

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“I can’t believe I’m actually going to Italy!”

Sarah’s squeal pierced through the cabin, a high–pitched contrast to the general mood. Natalia and I exchanged a tired look. We’d both tried to temper Sarah’s excitement for Riley’s sake. For Sarah, Italy was a dream vacation. For Riley, it was a nightmare. She was about to watch her sister, Camilla, take her place in a forced marriage to a man Riley described as the devil incarnate.

Riley was staring out the window, lost in thought. Sarah’s voice cut through again. “I’ve always wanted to see–”

“Sarah!” Natalia interrupted sharply.

over the rules. A smile crept onto my face. Alex had changed significantly in the past six months. He was more relaxed, more open. He laughed more, talked more, and had even started attending family dinners with my parents. His relationship with my father was a testament to the

use his jet to be there for

of making me feel instantly better. “Can I borrow you for a moment?” I mouthed. He nodded, and without another word, we both stood

been wild in college, but Sarah was taking it to a whole new

was something extra unnerving about this whole scene. Weddings were supposed to be peaceful affairs where everyone wore a smile because they were happy to be there, happy for the couple. But everyone here was on guard, eyes flickering around

of the strongest mafia families. All of us were seated at a round table except for Riley, who was seated with her father and other extended family. My eyes finally went to the groom, the one who Riley said could be the devil himself. He did not look like the devil. This man was beautiful, but one didn’t need to look twice to know that he was dangerous. Beautiful and brutal, the two words played in my head. There was something about him that screamed, “I will kill you if you ever take a single wrong breath in my direction.” I felt actual shivers run down my spine. It was like Alex’s aura when I first met him, dangerously quadrupled. I looked away from him just before his eyes flickered in my direction. I felt the intensity

nothing like Riley; she looked like she

But no amount of beauty could mask the fear and sorrow in her eyes. I pitied her. She had not stopped staring at Riley, and it felt like they were having a silent exchange with their eyes. Riley was saying, “I am so sorry,” and Camila was saying, “I am going

out a sigh. I couldn’t watch this

he was having with Christian. His eyes held a question, a silent inquiry if I was okay. I gave him a small nod, trying to mask the unease I felt in this room filled with

hanging from the walls and chandeliers casting eerie shadows. The

joy. Camila’s responses were barely audible, her voice

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Chapter 166

who looked as

couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease. This was a union built on fear and power, not love. The guests seemed to share my sentiments, their eyes darting around the room, as if expecting violence to

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end. The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and the room erupted in a smattering of

own then they turned to face the guests, their expressions a stark contrast–her face filled with sorrow and

suddenly couldn’t take it anymore. I rose to my feet, excusing myself. I needed air. It was suffocating me in here. Alex

sadly. “It is how things

will never get to know what love is.” I

came from the direction of the room where the twins were. Alex and I stared at each other for a second before