Escaping The Ruthless Don's Golden Cage

amonds worth millions, playing th

ress walked in wearing a necklace identi

m didn't defend me. He shov

oaked into the white stage, I real

htmare didn

"manage my hysteria." The complications from his contr

led his heir; he h

e, convinced he could force me to love him

roken. He thought

as w

loved me from the shadows for ye

me in a small-town bookstore, falling

destroyed me and handed

ncy, Liam," I said, quotin

u are b

pte

ya

lives, my arm linked with the most feared man in the city, just a

sting possessively on the small o

ng the ballroom of the Grand Ho

Queen of th

bone, expanding our family's reach into legitimate real estate

gainst my ear. "You look breathta

used to make my knees weak. Now,

r years of marriage. The smile of a dutiful Mafia w

u, Liam,"

seous. Flashbulbs popped. The press ate it up. Liam turned bac

in tuxedos and vipers in silk gowns. My eyes landed

ass of scotch. He wasn't looking at the stage

Sinc

creamed for attention. Marc caught Ava's eye. He smirked. Then h

ditioning. I pulled my phone from my clutch, keeping it h

posted a photo

n a mahogany desk. In the corner of the frame, just barely visi

ath hi

ago. It was custom engraved. The caption read:

home at 3 AM. Liam smelling of expensive scotch and a perfume that wasn

would have called them.

amilies were standing near a pillar, their heads bent close toge

a firecracker,

, glancing my way. "She has no clue.

gig

ughing at something a waiter said, tilting her head

rst design. Dia

the *Family Star* collection Liam had given m

r. It was the exact same custom s

brand. A cattle br

ted me since I married Liam, believing her da

loud enough to carry. "You look so well-preserved. It's a miracle

, but it tasted like poison. I

my voice tight. "I ne

. I walked away, keeping my

the door and leaned against the sin

Perfect makeup

ncy," Liam had vowed to me

rld, Maya, tears are a weakness. Si

er. I had wante

y red, as if I could scour away the humiliation. I remembered Liam calling me "my pro

d fixed my lipstick

tayed in the shadows of a large fern. Lia

. "She's bold, posting that pictur

rrogant sound. "She's young," L

the shoulder. "Maya is... traditional. Good for the im

defend me. To punch

sn't ask questions," Liam sa

rld didn't end. But Maya, the loving wife, die

didn't make a scene. I w

held my hand. I let him. It

nt straight to the show

to the wall safe hidden behi

He was arrogant enough to use it, and he thoug

the black ledger at the bottom of the stack. The one that cont

page. Then I put it bac

ed out a burner phone I had bought months ago, just

ang

h still saf

came through, clea

way