Elena's Mafia Deal

h her brother suddenly seemed very small to her, almost insignificant compared to the magnitude of what she had just ac

her thoughts. She opened it to find a man

r. Moretti's personal assista

? she asked,

nto the perfect bride, he replied, a pol

ng in the hallway. They entered with suitcases overflowing wit

g ? she whispere

Mr. Moretti insists that you be impeccable. We have a privat

r, but she didn't have time to protest furt

choosing outfits that seemed straight from the pages of a fashion magazine. A hairstylist sculpted her hair

t they lack confidence. Lift your chin, Miss Carter. You

d at herself in the mirror once the transformation was complete. The woman who refle

edible, she

ded with s

fect. Now it'

to Adrian's residence was made in nervous silence. When the car s

en asked, holding out

k a dee

I have n

lack suit that highlighted his imposing stature. W

lena, he whispered a

y, uncomfortable un

she replied i

ous. Our guests are allies, but some might be enemies in disgui

though she felt the

I make a

her, his dark eye

u wo

rkling chandelier cast golden light. The guests were all

rm as he had asked. Eyes immediately fel

! called out a man with graying hair,

lena, Adrian replied

inic asked, raising

an replied wit

ile, trying to hi

jokes, exchanging pleasantries, even if every word she said seemed w

the other end of the table, an icy beauty with piercing

ed in her ear. A former asso

ayer of unease to the

d her into an adjacent

aid, a rare smile so

d, although she felt ex

her, his gaze beco

not allowed. Every move you make, every word you say, is observed.

er legs seemed ready to g

mixture of exhaustion and apprehension. The evening had bee