Lia’s POV

Even though my vision was blurry, I could see the anger and desperation to save me on his face.

I thought he was going to abandon me to my fate, but he didn't. Maybe he isn't as heartless as everyone talked about.

"Dante... thank you..." My voice cracked as I let out those words before finally passing out.

***

"Am I dead?" My lips parted as those words escaped.

"Elena, are you awake?"

Dante's voice made me open my eyes fully. He sat close to my bed, obviously watching over me.

My eyes scanned the room, which was a VIP ward from the way it looked. I tried to sit up, but I couldn't as the pain from my side became unbearable.

"Don't move recklessly," he instructed me. "You have to be careful because you just got operated on," he added.

I gasped at his words. I slowly lifted my shirt to confirm if what he said was true.

After confirming I was operated on, I raised my gaze to look at him. "I didn't think the bullet was going to harm me much... I was going to endure it..." I muttered as I recalled the words my mother told me last night.

I was going to see more blood, more bullets, more pain, just as I would feel them. That is the world I got welcomed to the moment I exchanged rings with Dante Moretti.

His tender touch on my hair made me escape from my thoughts. "Bullets hurt, Elena," his voice was cold, yet I could feel his effort to make me smile. "Don't worry, I will find the person who shot you and make sure he faces the most painful death on earth," he promised.

I smiled faintly at his words. Though my smile disappeared the instant I recalled the reason for our marriage. I was just a piece of power exchange.

"Sir, we are sorry," a man in his mid-twenties walked in before apologizing with his gaze lowered.

Even though I was curious about why he was suddenly apologizing, I couldn't ask questions. I retired to my bed, pretending to be sleeping.

"You didn't find the motherfucker who ruined my wedding and made a joke of me in front of everyone?" He asked, his voice deep and dark.

So this was it? All he did was just to save face. Maybe I never mattered-after all, I am just a thing of exchange between my family and his. A pawn in the Mafia's game.

"Don, the men who attacked your wife were Ken and Joe. I found out they were spies sent to spy on you and other family members," another masculine voice, which I didn't know when he came in, voiced out.

"So Joe and Ken were sent to spy on me?" There was doubt in his voice as he asked. "Did you find out who sent them?" He asked, anger still laced in his voice.

There was silence for a while until one of the men spoke up. "He is from Antonio Russo's family. I am-"

Before the man could complete his statement, the sound of a gunshot echoed in the ward.

I opened my eyes, wondering who shot who. My heart sank at the sight of one of the men bleeding, his hand covering the other, which was bleeding.

"I hate incompetence," Dante's voice echoed darkly. "Now the both of you, get out of my sight!"

Seeing how angry Dante was, none of the men waited. They both hurried out before shutting the door.

Even though I am afraid of him, I can't keep this to myself. I cleared my throat before summoning the courage to speak.

"Why did you shoot him, and who is Antonio Russo?" I asked, wondering what the reason was for targeting Dante's bride and not Dante himself.

I have been hearing about them being enemies right from the days when Dante's father was the son of the Mafia group.

"I would only answer one of your questions," he informed me, staring at me with an unreadable look on his face. Though, I know he is disgusted by my sight. "Antonio Russo is my enemy. My rival, who wants to destroy everything I built, including myself."

"Why would he go to such lengths? Did you offend him?" I asked curiously, obviously crossing the line.

"He wants me dead because my father once betrayed him, and he said I was the reason his daughter got lost-his daughter, who I am still searching for," he replied, his voice a little calmer than before.

Enjoying our first normal conversation, I continued. "What would you do if you found Antonio Russo's daughter?"

He smirked darkly at my question before leaning closer. "I am going to kill her, then butcher her into cube-sized pieces and send her corpse to her father." His voice was low and dark, as if he already had a vivid image of him doing it.

His voice sent chills down my spine, making me wonder what he would do to me if he found out about my true identity. If he could think of murdering that poor innocent girl, who is somewhere hiding just like Elena, what chance do I stand to live?

"Why are you suddenly curious about me?"

His question made my heart skip a beat. It took me a while before I could answer. "It was just that... I think it is time we know more about each other," I stuttered, my heart racing.

His hand made its way to my hair, moving a strand of it to my ear. "There is nothing to know about me aside from the fact that I always protect what is mine," he muttered coldly, lust now filled in his once-angry eyes.

Not wanting this conversation to change into something else, I lay back, but his voice made me open my eyes.

"Why did you agree to marry me? A few years ago, you were so adamant about our engagement."

His words made my eyes widen with a sudden lump forming in my throat. I didn't expect him to ask me about my past.

"You aren't the type of man I wanted, and besides, there is someone I like," I muttered, my voice shaky.

"You mean that boyfriend of yours who has been cheating on you?" He teased before closing the space between our faces, our noses almost touching each other. "In case you don't know, you are mine now," he declared.

"I am the only one you should think of, crave for, and obey," he added darkly, my heart beating fast as if it was going to explode.