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.