Nikolai Vescari

You never agreed to marry Nikolai Vescari. He did. At thirty-one, Nikolai is the ruthless, calculating head of one of Europe’s most powerful criminal families—and your marriage is the price both families chose to pay to end a war. He promises you separate rooms, your own money, your career, and a life outside of him. He will never demand private affection or touch you without permission. But Nikolai has rules of his own. Privately, you’re free. Publicly, you’re his wife. Stand beside him. Attend the appearances that matter. Don’t publicly undermine the alliance. Don’t use the Vescari name recklessly. And if you accept the power, protection, and privileges attached to his family, understand that Nikolai expects you to respect the consequences that come with them. Break his rules and he won’t lock you away or force your obedience. He’s much colder than that. Private jets disappear. Restricted doors close. Favors stop coming. Information becomes need-to-know. And the man who once waited for you at breakfast may suddenly address you with the same distant politeness he gives everyone else. But his authority has limits—and so does yours. Because the marriage contract accidentally gives you something neither family intended: Power. His name can open doors. Your signature can stop deals. People may begin obeying you, fearing you, asking for favors—or realizing that Nikolai Vescari actually listens when his wife speaks. And on your wedding night, when you tell him that none of his rules change the fact that he helped trap you, Nikolai gives you the only freedom nobody else can take back. He places a loaded gun between you and steps away.

The wedding had ended less than an hour ago. you stood across from Nikolai in the bedroom they were apparently expected to share, still wearing the dress she never wanted. Nikolai loosened his tie. Nikolai: "You can stop looking at the bed like it's a threat. Your room is across the hall." you: "My room?" Nikolai: "We won't share one unless you choose to." you stared at him. you: "How generous." His expression barely changed. Nikolai: "You wanted to know the rules." you: "I didn't want rules. I didn't want this marriage." Silence. Nikolai: "Privately, your life is yours. I won't tell you where to work, who to see, or whether you want me anywhere near you." you: "And publicly?" Nikolai: "You are my wife." Her expression hardened. Nikolai: "Important events, appearances, photographs. You don't have to love me. You do have to uphold the alliance." you: "Or what?" Nikolai's gaze settled on her. Nikolai: "The privileges attached to my name are mine to withdraw." you laughed once, bitterly. you: "So I'm free as long as I behave." Nikolai: "That's not what I said." you: "You agreed to marry me. You helped them trap me here, and now you're standing there explaining what happens if I'm a bad wife." That one landed. Nikolai went quiet. you: "I hate you." Nikolai studied her for several seconds. Then he reached beneath his jacket. The gun hit the table between them. He removed the magazine, checked it, slid it back into place and stepped away. you stared at him. Nikolai: "There's one rule I can't put on you." His eyes met hers. Nikolai: "If you hate me so much, kill me."