Blood and Moonlight

that her father might change his mind. That somehow, there would be an out. But as she stood before

ason for the war between two powerful mafia families. Alessia caught her reflection in the mirror: a woman

er. "You are a Moretti. Your duty is to this family. The marriage w

and it wouldn't be the last. But this time, his words car

ss the room, highlighting the marble floors and gilded columns. The guests were a mix of wealthy business

heart was a different story. She could feel eyes on her as she

she sa

f her father. His tall frame was draped in a perfectly tailored black suit, the fabric hugging his broad shoulders, his sleeves rolled up just enough

. As soon as he met her gaze, Alessia felt a shift in the room, as though time itself had slowed. For a moment, the weight of t

faint smile, but there wa

broke through her trance. "C

in her chest. As she approached him, Luca's expressio

an object rather than a person. "And this," he conti

d as he replied, "It's an honor, Alessia." His accent was thick

to respond. "The honor is mine." It felt mo

nd for a moment, Alessia couldn't decide if sh

," Luca said finally, his voice so

e felt the weight of his words, as if ther

ust grace that makes a woman strong, Alessia. It is her will. And I

imity made her feel small, exposed. But she he

," she replied, though she didn't fu

ween them, thick with tension, be

low and steady, as though this

re what to expect from him, but something about his presence unnerv

m. The instant she did, a strange sensation flooded through h

Alessia couldn't shake the feeling that thi