Marriage arrangements were nothing new in our world. Mine was sealed before I even took my first breath—an unbreakable pact forged to ensure peace between two powerful families.

I, Penelope DiMauro, was to be wed to the ruthless heir to the Omertà criminal empire, Enzo Marchetti, on Christmas Day.

We uttered our vows “Till death do us part…” and just like that, I became his. His wife. His possession.

My husband was beautiful, his rough hands and filthy mouth commanding my body. He stole my firsts with seduction and deceit, drawing me into his world until resistance felt like a lie.

Our days full of banter and resentment turned into blissful nights. Soon, it became painfully clear there was a razor-thin line between love and hate.

And we were about to cross it.

As secrets unraveled, one question remained: would my husband be my forever or would I be his end?