Bound by Honor (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles, #1)

by Cora Reilly

My feelings didn’t matter, never had. I’d grown up in a world where no choices were given, especially to women.

I loved reading romance novels and whenever the couples in them married, I’d pictured how my wedding would be. I’d always imagined it would be filled with excitement and love. Empty dreams of a stupid girl.

My life was already over before it even began. Everything was decided for me.

today those eighteen months meant the difference between freedom and a life in a loveless

prison.

In our world a handsome exterior often hid the monster within.

Women in our world belonged to their husband. They were his property to deal with however he

pleased.

“I’m sorry,” I said, even if the words tasted foul. “My brother didn’t mean to be disrespectful.” “I did!” Fabiano shouted. I covered his mouth with my palm and he squirmed in my hold, but I didn’t let him go.

My eyes sought Luca and his piercing stare rendered me motionless. I held my breath. He put down a glass with a dark liquid with an audible clank.

“Fuck, Luca, did you tell your men you’d cut their dicks off if they looked at that girl? You aren’t even married to her.” “She’s mine,” Luca said quietly,

“If I find out you are looking at her like that again. If I find out you are in a

room alone with her. If I find out you touch as much as her hand, I will kill you.”

What was love but a silly dream?

Men, even cold-hearted bastards like them, have a weakness, and it hangs between their legs.”

Luca shook his head. “Relax. I was joking,” he said quietly. “I’m not a monster.”

“Don’t worry—I’ll be the only man

to ever see you naked. I can’t wait.”

Many men had trouble understanding that provocative clothes and actions didn’t mean a woman was asking for it.

This was it, the day I’d been dreading for so long. Tonight I’d be Aria Vitiello, wife to the future Capo dei Capi,

Luca should have kept them away.

“I can’t deny you something that you don’t have the right to take in the first place. My body doesn’t belong to you. It’s mine.”

Luca’s hands tensed against my body. For a moment, neither of us moved. He turned me to face him and pushed my chin up. His cold gray eyes scanned my face.

“Why should I trust you? I don’t make a habit of trusting people, especially people who hate me.” I rested my palm against the cut on his arm, feeling his muscles flex beneath my touch. It

felt as if I were touching stone.

know. But his kisses hadn’t been unpleasant at all. My skin still warmed when I thought of it.

He touched the back of my head and whispered, “I’m proud of you.” I gave him a forced smile when we pulled apart. Proud for what? For losing my virginity? For spreading my legs?

My sisters, my best friends, my confidantes, my world.

“Thinking about running?” Every single day. I walked up to him. “You would find me,” I said simply.

“I would.” There was steel in his voice.

I’d seen them only this morning, so how could I already feel so alone?

For a crazy moment, I considered taking the gun out and throwing it at her head.

ass. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was feeling. Disappointment. Jealousy? I hadn’t chosen Luca, but he was my husband. I wanted him to be faithful to me. I wanted him to want only me. I wanted to be enough.

Love is something girls hope for when they don’t know better, something women long for when they lie awake at night, and something they’ll only ever get from their children. Men don’t have time for such notions.

I wasn’t sure why, but I leaned forward and pressed a featherlight kiss against the wound.

a primal part of me couldn’t imagine being with someone who wasn’t an alpha like Luca.

“Maybe you’ll get lucky and become a young widow.” I glared. “That’s not funny.”

“Still too shy to look at me after what happened.” He tugged at the hem of my nightgown. “I liked you better without it.” I pursed my lips. “What do you want me to do?” I set the first-aid kit between us and opened it. “Many things,” Luca murmured. I rolled my eyes. “With your cut.”

Why not enjoy it? Maybe I would have to live without love, but that didn’t mean I would have to be miserable.

“You are perfect,” he said in a low voice.