Lyra's POV

I stood at the altar, cluelessly watching the drama unfolding before me—well, not until a gun was pointed straight at me.

I raised my hands in the air, my eyes shot tightly as my heart raised and fell fast in my chest.

I seemed cluelessly about shits happening around me—in my life lately.

First, was the debt which led to this godforsaken marriage.

Then this. My husband—sounded cringe but, yeah — my husband had a fiancé and from the look of things, their engagement was cancelled because of this so-called ‘wedding’.

I waited for the sharp pain of a bullet piercing through my skin as soon as a gunshot erupted in the church, but then, nothing had happened. No pain. I didn't feel any liquid substance—blood, dripping from any part of my body.

Do you think one of my family members had taken the bullet for me, just like they do in movies?

No!

The thought of it made my heart skip and I instantly fluttered my eyes open in horror only to meet an entirely different scenario.

Everyone in the church had guns aimed at themselves, including Salvatore whose hand gripped the girl's neck tightly and the other holding her wrist which held the gun up in the air.

My mind snapped to my family. My eyes scanned the church and I found them, they were being guarded by Salvatore's men.

Relief hit me like a bullet.

My attention went back to Salvatore and the lady who he was strangling with all his strength. I could see tears rolling down her cheek, her red eyeballs, bulged out.

With the type of man Salvatore was, he wouldn't mind committing a murder in the lord's sacred hall. But I wished someone would stop him.

But what else could they possibly do? He had a gun aimed right at his forehead, but he seemed careless.

Why would he propose such an alliance when he had a fiancé and she seemed powerful as well. Dragging the powerless me into something that seems like a clash between two organizations.

“Let go of her right now, or I'll pull the trigger, Salvatore” the man who'd pointed a gun at Salvatore's head ordered.

Someone was finally doing something!

Salvatore's gaze flew to me like he was checking if I was okay then back to the dying lady, then to the man

“Order me one more time, chicken….. I swear it'll cost you your life and hers” he said, his voice cold with no single emotion.

Shivers washed through my spine on behalf of the man.

He gulped down his saliva, his grip on his gun tightening. He didn't shoot, but he didn't dare utter another word.

“You see that fine shit standing on the altar?” Salvatore finally spoke, pointing at me,

“There's a whole lot of difference between you and her, Octavia Butler, and trust me when I say you're nothing compared to her,”

He smirked.

“Do you want to know the differences between the two of you? The most important of them?“

He threw her to the floor, making her collide with the ground harshly.

“She won't have to beg me for a kiss. She won't have to beg me to sleep with her and hell, I chose her over you because she's a million better than you!“

Okay, I would be lying if I said I didn't blush at that. Yes, I knew he was trying to get to her and make her mad but…..

I was one hell of a big fool, innit!

“I can promise you a really slow and painful death, Octavia, and I'll make sure to eliminate the whole Russian clan if you dare try to hurt my wife. Trust me”

Octavia could say nothing. She soothed her neck gently for a while, then staggered up with the help of her men.

“You'll pay for this, Salvatore Leone Morano. I'll make sure the entire Morano pays for this humiliation!“ She spat and without waiting for response, she stormed out of the church.

Everywhere became calm, the tension slowly dying down. Just the sounds of guns being uncocked filled the church.

“Christ!”

Breathed out a figure who struggled out from under the church bench.

The priest.

How the fuck did he get there?

And wasn't he supposed to, like, pray?

He didn't even spare us a glance as he walked past us, murmuring silent prayers to himself until he was out of sight.

I hurried down from the altar and rushed to my family.

“Dad, Brent, aunt, are you okay?” I asked, concern laced in my voice as I checked their body round. Thank goodness, no injury.

“We're fine darling” my aunt replied, staring at Salvatore.

I already knew what she was thinking.

“No, no aunt, forget about what just happened. Salvatore is a really nice man” I tried to convince her, “Trust me, auntie” I said and she nodded slowly.

Of course, aside from my dad, Brent and I, nobody knew about the deal between Salvatore and my family, and I wasn't planning to disclose it to anyone else.

Not my dad getting all emotional when it was time to leave. His little princess was now married, and he was sending her off to a hell on earth.

Well, he didn't actually say that, but I knew that was why he was so emotional.

…..

The morano's estate was like a heaven on earth standing almost in the middle of nowhere.It was a lone sprawling mansion painted all white with a black painted steel gate.

My jaw dropped in awe the moment I stepped foot into the building. The marble floors gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers. Every piece of furniture looked like it belonged in a museum. Everything about the mansion screamed nothing but WEALTH!

A few hours later, I was shown my room—a spacious, luxurious room with a well-dressed queen-sized bed. I unpacked my bag and changed into a tight black jean and a t-shirt I stole from my brother.

My room door burst opened and Salvatore walked in looking like a SIN.

He was dressed in All Black. Black ripped jeans that showcased his fresh and flawless thigh, black tank top that revealed the few tattoos he had on his chest and then a black leather jacket.

I hate to admit it, but he was dangerously and breathtakingly handsome.

“Are you done staring?” He smirked.

“I wasn't staring” I mumbled, lowering my gaze

He stretched out an envelope that I almost didn't know he was with.

“The rules that guide living here with me” he said in his hoarse voice.

Rules?

Did I expect any less? Definitely Not!

I took the envelope from him and he walked out.

My eyes widened in awe or should I say in surprise as I read the content of what was in the envelope. Were these rules or punishment?

I stormed out of the room, each step echoing on the marble floor, heavy and purposeful. I just wanted to confront him. To ask him if I was his wife or a prisoner.

I walked around the whole mansion, its beautiful interior blurring into the background.

The house was empty!

There was no fucking soul in the house aside me?!

Where the heck did they all disappear to?

I was still descending the stairs when the lights suddenly went off.

Huh? Blackout? But why now!

Panic crept into me. I tapped my pockets in search of my phone, but it wasn't in any of my pockets. I probably left it in the room.

My shoulders stiffened, my palm getting all sweaty. I held on to the railing tightly with my legs glued to the marble floor.

“Is… Is anyone there?” I stuttered, scared. My heart thumbed in my chest, my breathing becoming ragged.

“Is anyone there?“ My knee buckled beneath me as my vision blurred. It felt as if the world spun for a second and then everything went black

Salvatore's POV

The lights flashed in hypnotic colors that suddenly felt more irritating than exciting.

I left home to clear my head, plan ahead and have fun, but everything had turned boring all of a sudden.

My eyes scanned the whole club, everyone— including Miley, Russo, and Bianchi was vibing to the music, but I sat alone at the bar sipping my whiskey like someone who got dumped.

I tried but couldn't shake off the wave of worry and uneasiness. Lyra was alone at home—no guards and the cooks were probably in the servant quarters. She was new and unfamiliar to the environment.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't worried about her. Just that, after what had happened earlier at the church, leaving her alone at home was a really terrible idea.

“Hey handsome,” one of my favourite strippers stood in front of me, smiling seductively.

“You look stressed. Y'know I can always relieve you of your stress” she bit her lower lip, taking a slow, seductive stride towards me.

I stared blankly at her, feeling irritatedly uninterested for the first time.

She sat on my lap, her blue blazing eyes burning with lust. She leaned closer to kiss me on the lips, but I placed my palm on her lips pushing her face away.

“ I've told you before, you can have my whole body but not my lips”

“Oh…. I'm sorry.“ She blinked her eyes cutely with a broad smile playing on her lips.

For the first time, a girl was rocking my dick, trailing kisses on my neck, her hands roaming on my body, but I still felt NOTHING. The more she touched me, the more I got turned off.

Strange.

Pathetically strange.

Okay, I'll admit, I was worried about her. I was damn worried, I couldn't think straight.

And I hated it. I hated the way it bothered me that she was alone at home.

“Stand up!” I ordered the bitch who was feasting on my neck, sucking it like her life depended on it.

She didn't respond as she continued to suck the nape of my neck. She gave it a small bite and that was it… I got agitated.

The bite was soft and romantic, but it triggered the anger in me, making me more irritated.

“Are you deaf? Get the hell off me” I snapped, and she flinched, jumping off my lap like my body was on fire.

“Get out of my sight” I said, but she stayed rooted at where she stood, trying to explain God knows what.

Too stressed to repeat myself, I brought out my gun and aimed it straight at her. Maybe I should let my gun do the talking.

I cocked it, and she flinched, raising her hands up in surrender then she fled.

I sighed, running my hands through my hair frustratingly.

My phone rang, I took it out from my pants pocket. On the screen was “Auntie”—the head cook.

“What's wrong”

“It's Lyra” came her voice over the phone.

My head banged!

“What happened to her?” I asked, alarmed.

I fucking screwed up. I screwed up big time!

“She'd passed out on the……. She's…..“ the noise wouldn't let me hear a thing.

I hung up, took my car keys from the table, then stormed off the bar without informing any of my siblings.

I halted the car rushing towards the entrance when the doctor and I collided at the door.

“Sam, how's she? What happened to her?“ I asked, trying to catch my breath.

“Calm down, Sal. She's fine now. She just fainted because of her phobia for darkness, thank goodness she was found on time”

“Phobia for darkness you say?” I asked with knotted brows and he nodded.

“Yes. It's pretty important she stays away from darkness. I just gave her few medications, and she's asleep now”

“Alright then, Sam. Thank you so much” I replied, patting his shoulder.

“Welcome friend. She's pretty by the way”

Sam said then left

A small smile tugged at the side of my lips. There was no need to deny it. Lyra was fine as hell.

I walked straight to my room and I found Lyra laying peacefully on the bed with Auntie, sitting beside her.

She explained everything that had happened —there was a black-out and they came to fix it, that was when they found Lyra laying on the stairs.

I sank into the chair beside the bed staring at her pretty, little figures sleeping on the bed.

“Is she okay?” Bianchi's voice spoke, bringing me back to reality.

I nodded my eyes not leaving Lyra.

_____

Lyra woke up almost an hour ago and all she did ever since then was cry.

Why? I didn't know.

I didn't ask either, but I hated seeing her cry. It made me want to go gaga. I suddenly felt guilty.

What exactly was I expecting when I discharged all the guards? Fucking left her alone.

I walked to her and handed her my hanky. She took it and threw it away.

What the actual hell?!

“Look, if you're expecting me to be all lovey-dovey with you, pull you in my arms and pat you like a baby then you must be out of your mind” I spat

“Bastard!” She retorted standing on the bed, “you left me here all alone with myself when you knew it wasn't safe!”

She sobbed more.

She got down from the bed and marched to the door angrily then stopped.

“You don't expect me to follow those shitty rules, do you?” She paused for a while probably expecting an answer from me then continued, “I WILL NEVER! You hear me? I will never follow those godforsaken rules. I'm your wife, not some prisoner!“

With that, she stormed out and shut at me.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

After a while, It was time for dinner and Auntie had gone upstairs to call Lyra to come down for dinner, but she said she wasn't hungry.

A few minutes later, she descended the stairs dressed in the jean she wore earlier, a black hoodie with a pair of white Crocs.

She walked out without even sparing me and my siblings a glance. I stood up to go after her, but Miley held my hands shaking her head.

“Don't. I think she needs some space”

“The house is big enough to give her the “space” she needs. It's not safe for her outside, she knows!“ I snapped at my cousin like she was the reason for my anger and frustration.

Grabbing my keys, I rushed out to the car then zoomed off. Though I didn't mean to, I'd seemly dragged her into the clash between two organizations, I needed to protect her. She was my responsibility now that we were married.

I trailed her with my car and found out that she didn't need any “space” like my cousin had claimed. She fucking came out to meet her man.

Really?

A wave of fury flooded inside me as I watched another man pull my WIFE into his damn arms, hugging her tightly. As if that weren't enough, they broke the hug, and he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Wow!

Just wow!

I balled my fist trying to control the anger that boiled inside me. I felt stupid. So stupid for chasing after her. I felt so fucking stupid that I cared about her safety.

I scoffed unbelievably.

Because I told her I wouldn't pull her into my arms and pat her like a baby, she went to another man,Huh?

“Puttana(whore)!“ I cursed under my breath hitting the steering wheel.

Lyra's POV

After what had happened last night, I went out to meet Brent. I told him everything— including the hickey and the red lipstick marks I saw on my husband's neck.

Eww...using the word 'husband' sounded cringe, I'd rather use Salvatore, thanks.

So, Salvatore,

That motherfucker left me all alone last night to go sleep with another woman on our first night. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't jealous, I didn't wish it was me he slept with, and I did not—not even for a second wish he was here by my side last night.

The marriage was more like a deal and nothing more, but then, if he'd wanted to cheat, he could have at least waited until maybe after a week of our wedding? Y'know, I deserved some respect as his wife!

Was there any sense in what I just said? I doubt it.

Brent already told me everything, Salvatore was once a man whore—He still was. Old habits die hard, so I shouldn't expect anything.

Not like I was.

I sighed heavily as I knotted my hair neatly into a ponytail. I had classes and the first would be starting in just a few minutes. I'd rather not get late, and that too because of some dick who wouldn't add any value to my life as long as we lived under the same roof.

My room door flung open and of course it was Salvatore. I glanced at his brooding figure that stood at the doorway for a while, then proceeded to where all my school stuff was neatly arranged in a tote bag that laid on my bed, pretending there was no single soul beside me in the room.

Well, was there? Absolutely not!

“And where do you think you're going?” Salvatore asked with knotted brows, but instead of giving him an answer, I hung my bag in shoulders then walked to the door where he stood.

“Excuse me, you're obstructing my way,” I said calmly.

“I just asked you a question, where do you think you're going?”

“Do I need to answer that, huh? Where does it look like I'm going?” I asked back.

“You don't answer my question with a question, princess,” his voice was low and menacing. “Now, for the last time, where are you off to ?”

Hold up, isn't this man too good-looking, too educated to be daft? I mean, any sane person would see me dressed the way I am— in a pair of baggy pants and hoodie, a tote bag clung on my shoulder then textbooks placed neatly between my forearms and notice I was heading for school.

“I'm heading to school, mister. SCHOOL!” I bit out, annoyed.

“I thought the first rule stated in that paper was; you shouldn't go anywhere without my permission”

“And I thought I told you those shitty rules weren't for me?” I frowned deeply at him.

Because he got married to me to pay off the debt we owe, he thought he'd bought me? What happened to the word ‘freedom’? He married me, he didn't buy me. I wasn't some slave or some prisoner who he expects to succumb to some rules on paper. Lyra would never!

“You're effortlessly trying to break the second rule out of three and trust me, there'll be consequences. Our union is nothing but an alliance, more like a contract, and you don't expect me to put up with your babyish behavior like a supposed ‘loving husband’ should,” he paused for a while then continued. “I. Do. No. Love. You! And don't think I ever would. You're nothing but some ‘trade by batter'” he stated and my heart stung.

Not because I was expecting anything from him. I already knew this was a loveless marriage and the moment I'd agreed to the alliance and said ‘I do' in the church, I knew it was going to cost me my happiness, and I was willing to sacrifice my happiness to see my family safe and happy.

What I didn't know was that, aside from my happiness, I was selling my freedom. I was selling myself. It never crossed my mind that my life was going to be controlled by three rules printed on paper. I never knew my education would be at stake!

As far as I could remember, there were just three rules in those papers, first was, I shouldn't step out without his permission.

The second was, I shouldn't meddle in his affairs and of course, I wasn't interested in doing that.

Then the last and the most annoying? He doesn't want to see me with any other man aside from him, because he owns me.

Now, I don't remember breaking any of those three rules. Well, aside from that one, he said I should go out without his permission. Not like I had broken it, though I nearly did. But I didn't.

“Look, I've thought about it and I honestly don't remember breaking any rule. I haven't. So, can you please excuse me? I've got classes to attend” I pleaded with my hands clasped, and he just stared at me like I hadn't spoken.

Then he stretched out a shopping bag, just like last night when he'd stretched out the envelope. I wondered what was in the bag this time around.

He waited for me to take the bag from his hand, but I didn't, instead, I just stared at it with furrowed brows. He forcefully took my hand and placed the bag's handle in my palm, then Said,

“Get ready, we'll be heading out in a few hours” without saying another word or waiting for my reply, he left.

Placing my bag and books on the bed, I emptied the contents of the shopping in the bed. It was a straight, body hugging, silky mini dress with a thin spaghetti strap.

Then a shoebox with ‘Christian Louboutin’ boldly written on the top.

Wait a fucking second! Christian Louboutin?! That's one of the most luxurious shoe brands. I opened the box and took out the shiny black heels. My eyes scanned the shoe size…. How the devil did this man find out the size of the shoe I wear?

But then, he didn't expect me to wear something as tight as this gown and this heels to wherever it was we were going, right? Heaven knows I don't wear tight clothes and I've never fancied heels.

I sighed once more then, took my bag and book, then walked to the door and twisted the knob, but the door didn't open.

I twisted the knob once. Twice. Then vigorously, but the door still didn't open.

Did…. Did that fucker lock me in the room to prevent me from going out?