The past fortnight has been a maelstrom of chaos, orchestrating security for the wedding while ruthlessly dispatching the Silver Glide who dared trespass on my streets. My men are stationed across the estate-on the grounds, within the house, and dispersed throughout the neighborhood. Andreas oversees every detail, granting me a fragile thread of calm amidst the storm.

Clad in a tailored black tuxedo, my Glock concealed securely at my back, I descended the grand staircase to join the throng of wedding guests. The air is thick with the scent of flowers, their vibrant blooms crowding every surface. Soft instrumental music weaves through the hum of voices and the frenetic scurry of servers, like ants swarming a feast.

As I step onto the veranda, every gaze turns toward me. Some eyes shimmer with reverence, others simmer with barely concealed contempt. Yet all share a common thread-fear. My presence commands it.

"Ryan, a pleasure to see you," Spiros Doukas declares, his tone dripping with obsequious warmth. Our families have done business, and he never tires of groveling for another chance. I shake his hand briefly, but before he can ensnare me in tedious conversation, I turn away, my attention drawn to the Priesthood members gathered like sentinels in a viper's den.

I approach them, exchanging firm handshakes and a practiced smile. "Thank you for attending."

Liam lets out a low whistle, his eyes sweeping over the opulent grounds adorned with white and yellow décor, excessive flowers, and pristine linens. "This must've cost a fortune."

"You've no idea," I reply with a sigh, beckoning a server to order drinks. "For my father's second wedding, you'd expect restraint, but Helena's a socialite."

"And your soon-to-be stepmother?" Gabriel asks, his disdain for the crowd evident in his scowl. "Do you get along?"

"She suits my father," I say dismissively. Just then, my sister Athina appears on the veranda, trailed closely by Isabella. My gaze lingers on Isabella, her elegance drawing every eye as she moves. The attention she garners sparks a flicker of irritation in me, and I frown.

"Looking for a bride?" I ask the men, my tone casual but calculated.

Luca raises an eyebrow. "Who're you trying to marry off?"

I nod toward the approaching women. "My stepsister, Isabella."

"The girl with Athina?" Liam clarifies.

Dominic chuckles darkly. "If looks could kill, you'd be buried, Ryan. Trouble with her, I presume?"

Glancing back, I catch Isabella's eyes on me, her frown doing nothing to diminish her striking beauty. She's likely still furious over my attempts to control her life. Let her seethe-she'll learn her place.

"Gentlemen," Athina greets, her smile radiant as she stops beside me. I lean down, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You look stunning," I murmured, then scanned the grounds. "Where's Basil?"

"With Father," she replies, rolling her eyes. "They'll be drunk before the vows are spoken."

Basil's detachment from the mafia is a blessing, his easygoing nature a counterbalance to our world's tension. But my focus shifts to Isabella, who hovers at the edge of our circle, her posture stiff. I can't allow her to fade into the background-not when she's a potential asset to strengthen ties with the Priesthood.

Stepping closer, I place my hand on the small of her back, guiding her forward with gentle but unyielding pressure. "Park Isabella," I introduce, my voice smooth but firm, ensuring the men take notice.

She stiffens under my touch, her body tensing as if to bolt, but I tighten my grip subtly, keeping her in place. The men offer polite greetings, their expressions unreadable, though I sense their curiosity. Isabella tries to step back, her discomfort palpable, but I slide my arm around her waist, anchoring her to my side. Her frame fits perfectly against me, her head barely reaching my shoulder, and her scent-innocent yet intoxicating-stirs something dangerous within me.

The server arrives with our drinks, and as I reach for a tumbler, my body brushes closer to Isabella's. She flinches, a soft gasp escaping her, but I don't relent. Leaning down, my voice low, I murmur,

"You missed lunch on Sunday."

She shifts, trying to pull away, but my hold keeps her tethered. Her eyes flick up to mine, defiance warring with unease. "I had a project. I told my mother."

My gaze pins hers, unyielding. "I expect a call if you can't attend. Courtesy, Bella."

"I wasn't aware I have to report to you," she retorts, her voice laced with resentment.

The audacity ignites my temper. My hand moves to her elbow, gripping firmly as I steer her across the lawn, weaving through the crowd. She stumbles slightly, her heels sinking into the grass, but I don't slow. Inside the house, I push her into the study and slam the door shut, the sound echoing like a gunshot.

Her eyes widen, her face paling as she backs away, but there's nowhere to run. I stalk closer, my anger a living thing, coiling tightly in my chest. "Do you have a death wish, Princess?" I growl, my voice low and dangerous.

She shakes her head, her hair catching the light, satin-smooth against her skin. Her tongue darts out, nervously wetting her lips, and the sight sends an unwelcome jolt of desire through me. I step closer, crowding her until she's forced to tilt her head back to meet my gaze. Her breath quickens, her chest rising and falling in shallow bursts.

"This ends now," I warn, my tone dark as sin. "You will obey every order I give. Disrespect me again, and I swear, it'll be the last thing you do."

Her eyes tremble with fear, a rare sight that stirs something primal in me. Yet, her defiance lingers, a spark beneath the terror. She's a paradox-terrified but unyielding. It piqued my curiosity, even as it infuriates me.

Her breaths come faster, her hands trembling as she grips the desk behind her for balance. "Understood," she whispers, her voice hoarse.

I tilt my head, studying her. "Do you truly understand?" My voice is a low rumble, laced with menace. I lift a hand, and she flinches, stepping back only to find the wall at her back. My fingers adjust my jacket, but my eyes never leave her. "I'm the head of this family, the head of the mafia.

And I think soon You will understand what you are ."

Her fear spikes, her eyes wide as she presses herself against the wall, as if it could swallow her whole. "I don't want to be a mafia princess," she says, her voice trembling but defiant. "I'm here for my mother. I want no part of your world."

Her words stoke my anger further. In a flash, I close the distance, looming over her like a storm cloud. She stumbles back, her back hitting the wall with a soft thud. My hands shoot out, gripping her waist with one and other soft jaws firmly, not enough to hurt but enough to make her feel my power. Her pulse races beneath my fingers, her breath shallow and erratic.

"In an hour, you'll be family, like it or not," I say, my voice rough with restrained fury. My grip softens, my fingers brushing along her jaw, the touch turning intimate against my will. Her skin is warm, her scent wrapping around me, and I fight the urge to lean closer. My thumb grazes her lips, her fear feeding a dark hunger in me. "I know your situation, Princess and I'm trying to respect it truly , but at the same time you need to understand mine and yours as well . Defy me, and your life will be hell. We'll discuss your terms after the wedding. Understood?"

She nods, her cheek brushing my palm, the contact sending a spark through me. I step back, forcing myself to break the spell . "Take my number Princess".

Her hands shake as she retrieves her phone, fumbling with it. Impatient, I snatch it from her, programming my number swiftly. As she turns away, popping a pill beneath her tongue, I step behind her, my chest brushing her back. She freezes, a soft squeak escaping her. I hold out her phone, my breath warm against her ear. "This is the last time we fight like this, Bella. Keep pushing, and you'll end up in my bed, at my mercy."

Her eyes widen in shock, and I smirk, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to the side of her neck, inhaling her perfume for a lingering moment. "Take it, princess," I murmur, handing her the phone.

She nods, trembling, and I step back, the door clicking shut behind me as I leave her to collect herself.

---

At the reception, I'm seated beside Ryan, his presence a suffocating weight. Since our confrontation, he hasn't left my side, his aura oppressive, unraveling my nerves. My plate remains untouched, my appetite vanished under his scrutiny. Every move he makes-reaching for his whiskey, shifting in his seat-has me on edge. When he offers me a sip of his drink, I take it, the burn of the liquor doing little to dull my anxiety.

My mother laughs with her new husband, oblivious to my turmoil. The pang of loss hits hard-she's no longer mine alone. Kim Haesung has claimed her heart.

Ryan takes the tumbler from me, his lips brushing where mine touched moments ago. The intimacy of it unsettles me further. His arm drapes casually over my chair, and when I try to lean away, he pulls me against his side with a chuckle. "How are your studies going princess ?"

I clear my throat, my eyes flickering tohis face, then down to his vest, his strength evident in every line of his body. "Good," I whisper, attempting to pull away, but his grip tightens.

"You'll finish in a year?" he asks, his tone deceptively light, as if we're merely chatting for the guests' benefit.

"Yes."

His mouth twitches with a smirk, potent and dangerous. "You represent the family, Isabella. Your actions reflect on me. Gain my favor, and I might care about your happiness. Cross me, and..." His eyes darken, the threat unspoken but clear.

I laugh bitterly. "Like you care."

His expression hardens, his gaze pinning me. "Show me you're an asset, and I might. Defy me, and you'll regret it."

"I'd rather die," I snap, fear and defiance warring within me.

"That can be arranged," he replies coolly.

I down the rest of his whiskey, the liquid scorching my throat. His arm pulls me into a mockery of a hug, his voice low. "Obey me, and we'll get along fine."

I need to figure out a way to beat Ryan at his own game before he destroys my entire life.

---

To be continued