Forced to Wed the Mafia Heir

t my skin. The only sounds were the quiet rustle of pages and the tick-tock of the old gran

ersonal cocoon of light. The walls were lined in rows of unspoiled volumes with leather-bound spines glinting in the faint li

lm face and started to smile a little. Her long lashes created soft shadows on her cheeks, and some black h

hese moments of peace are priceless." The serenity of the library almost mad

brown color inherited from our mother. She mumbled sleepily

re, pipsqueak. What do you want to hear?" I walked over to the side tabl

hich had been still in Ava's hair, froze at the sound, and I tensed. That knock sen

only curled up closer on the chaise. Suddenly, very conscious of every wrinkle and flaw, I stood, smoothing down my silk top an

her eyes particularly striking. Not one strand was out of place; her salt-and-pepper hair was pushed back so tightly that it looked

e whispered in a low, stern voice

remember anything I might have done recently that was wrong. Had my grades slipped? Had I neglected some important household responsibili

bove a whisper. I hated how small and fe

ds were twitching at her jacket's hem - an unusual display

ly on the polished wooden floor in the quiet corridor. Family photos stacked on the walls showed the austere faces of long-dead ancestors observing

leamed, and the glossy black wood exuded an imposing presence. She continued, "He's wait

rk hair cascading in loose curls over my shoulders. I felt nothing like the confident heiress I was supposed to be;

k door, took a deep breath,

ce echoed from inside, sending shivers d

stifling with its dark wood paneling and heavy furniture. The big mahogany desk dominated the room, its

his broad shoulders accentuating his well-crafted suit. His steel-grey eyes locked on me wit

ng to one of the leathe

er chilled against my skin, and I fought the urge to fidget. Rather, I fo

yes apparently looking straight ahead. I battl