Part 1 – The Past
Chapter 1
Michael
There are some memories that live in your mind for an eternity, and the night I metherwas seared in my brain like no other.
The warm summer breeze filled my nose as I gazed at her, the woman who looked so lost, leaning upon the railing above the East River.
She wore a black dress that hugged her curves, and I flexed my fist at my side, dying to know how her luscious backside would feel cupped in my palm. I’d never experienced such a visceral reaction to a woman, and blinked rapidly, wondering if she was a vision I’d conjured in my mind.
Stepping closer, I noticed her raven-black hair blowing in the breeze as it wrestled free of the tight bun above her nape. The soft skin there seemed to call to me, and resisting the urge to approach her was as futile as attempting to cease breathing.
Her forearms rested on the railing, her thin fingers twining together in what seemed like an anxious twirl. My dress shoes were quiet upon the dock as I slid beside her.
She gasped, her almond-shaped eyes widening as her dark honey-colored irises snapped to mine.
“Excuse me,” she said, her velvet voice tinged with annoyance. “I came outside to get some privacy. There are plenty of other places you can stand along the dock.”
My eyes roved over her face, noting her austere nose and lips so full, I could already imagine them wrapped around every inch of my body...
“My apologies, stella,” I murmured. “I was drawn to the beautiful woman looking so serious at what’s supposed to be a festive celebration.”
“Pfft,” she huffed, shaking her head. “There’s nothing festive about these gatherings. They’re all filled with talk of business and...” she hesitated, “pain.”
My eyes narrowed as I gently slid my fingers over her forearm, reveling in the small bumps that rose underneath. “Did someone hurt you, stella? If so, I will murder them for you.”
A breathy laugh escaped her throat, and her lips curved, transforming her face into the most beautiful one I’d ever seen. Air froze in my lungs as I awaited her reply.
“Not tonight, but possibly soon.”
“Who—?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said, waving a dismissive hand. “And you can dispense with the endearment. It won’t work. I’m already taken.”
“Okay, stella,” I said, loving the angry flare in her eyes as I defied her directive. “But the endearment is apt. There are many women in that ballroom, but you are the only one who shines brighter than every star in the sky.”
Her eyebrow arched as she turned slightly to face me. “I don’t know a lot of Italian, but I do know that ‘stella’ means star. I guess that’s better than ‘princess’ or ‘baby.’”
Leaning forward, my body heated at her quick inhale. I loomed over her, considering that I was several inches taller, and I enjoyed the fact she had to tilt her head back to look at me.
“Mia, I’ll call you whatever you want if you let me.”
Her nostrils flared before she swallowed, her throat bobbing in the moonlight.
“Like I said, I’m already promised to someone else.”
“You don’t sound happy about it.”
Sighing, she faced the railing and gazed down at the water. “I’m not. I’m only nineteen, and by the end of next week, I’ll be married to a man who’s thirty years older than me and barely sees me as human. My entire life will consist of being his possession.” Her lower lip trembled as she fought off tears. “I already hate him.”
Realization washed over me as my brain fit the puzzle together. “You’re Bianca Santoro.”
She nodded, the movement stiff, and I had the sudden longing to wrap my arms around her and soothe her. Strange, since I’d never considered myself a particularly soothing soul, but the ache to comfort her burned in my heart as it pounded from her nearness.
“Your marriage to Victor Rossi will solidify the union between two very powerful families on the East Coast. I understand why your father made the arrangement.”
Scoffing, she smoothed a hand over her dark hair. “Yes, he traded me like cattle to appease Victor after some of hisshipmentswere busted. If I had any courage, I’d defy him.” Sighing, she shook her head. “But I have no idea how to do that...” Glancing up at me, she arched a sardonic brow. “And if I did, he’d most likely kill me.”
