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.

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 power of time and forgiveness and they had both decided to finally put the past behind them and move forward much to my relief. There

it all together. When it came time for Riley’s sister’s wedding, I’d suggested we use his jet to be there for her. She was going through a lot, and I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. Even though she’d reconciled with

borrow you for a moment?” I mouthed. He nodded, and without another word, we both stood going towards the inner cabin. Just as we closed the door, Sarah shouted, “Use a you

in college, but Sarah was taking it to a

and I knew that I had never understood the underground world. All I knew was that it was filled with blood, maybe even more blood than the world I knew but there was something extra unnerving about this whole scene. Weddings were supposed to be peaceful affairs where everyone wore a smile because

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

my eyes settle on Camilla. She looked nothing like Riley; she looked like she had been picked out from a painting

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

sigh. I

that point, like we had always been attuned to each other, stopping the conversation he was having with Christian. His eyes held a question, a silent inquiry if I was okay. I gave him

There were no flowers, no joyful music, and no laughter. The room was dimly lit, with dark drapes hanging from the walls and chandeliers casting eerie

were barely audible,

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Chapter 166

about to marry–a man who looked as dangerous

unease. This was a union built on fear and power, not love. The guests seemed to share my sentiments, their eyes darting

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to an end. The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and the room erupted in a smattering of applause, more out of obligation

to him kissing her in what looked like a promise that she was his to own

feet, excusing myself. I needed air. It was suffocating me in here. Alex didn’t ask; he just followed me outside. I finally let out a breath and turned to him.

how

any less. I feel so sorry for her. She will never get to know what love is.” I turned my gaze. There wasn’t really anything I could do. “We should probably

stretched out his hands and opened his mouth to reply when we suddenly heard a crash. It came from the direction of the room where the twins