Chapter 4 - Bloodlines and Betrayal
By dawn, the storm had passed, leaving behind a cold gray sky over the harbor. Roman stood on the private terrace overlooking the churning waves, smoking a cigar in silence. Clara joined him, now dressed in a simple, elegant dark velvet dress provided by the estate staff.
"You aren't what I expected," Roman admitted without turning around, blowing a cloud of gray smoke into the salt air.
"And what did you expect? A timid seamstress who would cower in the corner while you ran your empire?" Clara asked softly, leaning against the stone balustrade beside him.
"I expected a convenience," Roman said honestly, turning his head to meet her gaze. "A marriage of convenience to appease the older syndicate heads who demanded I take a local bride to consolidate power. I thought I was saving a peasant girl from financial ruin. Instead, I brought the true queen of the city into my home."
"A queen without a kingdom," Clara replied sadly. "My family is gone, Roman. And whoever tried to kill us last night won't stop until I am dead."
"They will have to go through me," Roman said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous growl. He stepped closer, reaching out to gently touch the edge of her collarbone, avoiding her wound. "I took a vow at that altar, Clara. It might have started as a contract, but under the laws of the Duca name—and my own code—you are mine to protect. And I do not lose what is mine."
May you like
Before Clara could answer, Marco rushed onto the terrace, his face pale. "Boss, we have a problem. Don Salieri has called an emergency high council meeting at the Central Citadel. He claims you brought an impostor into the syndicate and demands you hand over your bride for 'verification'."
Roman’s eyes darkened with cold fury. "Salieri... the old cobra finally slithers out into the open." He looked at Clara. "Salieri was your father’s second-in-command. He is the one who betrayed the Valente family twenty years ago."
