Chapter 3

About five minutes from Brown University's campus sat a tiny dive bar off the beaten path. The place was a frequent stop for students and the occasional local. On any given Thursday night, there was a crowd of college Juniors and Seniors sipping $3 beers and pretending they didn't have to wake up for classes the next morning.

On this particular Thursday, Lucian Luchese sat at the bar nursing a tumbler with two fingers worth of whiskey. His corner

seat provided him a nice view of the table of college girls scantily dressed with colorful mixed drinks in their hands.

He wasn't normally one to do his own surveillance but tonight the circumstances were different. Usually the intel he needed was on street dealers, the Mexican Cartel, or New York politicians. Tonight, however, his eyes were glued to a table of college students.

He spotted Gemma DelGado, younger sister of Gian DelGado, a Providence Mafioso man not to be fucked with. Gian’s crew brought in the most money Providence had ever seen. The man had every politician in his pocket. Her father was Guiseppe DelGado, consilerge to Massimo Maranzano – and one of the best criminal lawyers in Providence. Gemma was treated like a princess. The girl had never worked a day in her life, and she probably never would.

Beside her was Maxwell Ryder, known as Max. Parents Emily and Roger Ryder, born and raised in Providence, majoring in Music History, Max was what la famiglia referred to as unaffiliated. He had no mafia connections, and there was no indication he even knew he had two friends who were.

The rest of the table was filled with other Brown University students, none affiliated with the family except for Adelina DeMarco.

Adelina was the reason for Lucian’s being in this fowl dive bar.

She was the daughter of the Maranzano family front boss, Angelo DeMarco.

Angelo was sort of a legend.

He ruled a tight ship, and the men under him brought in good money. A lot of good money. Massimo ruled by fear and intimidation, but Angelo ruled with love and compassion. The combination worked well for them for almost 30 years, until Angelo was killed.

And because of his death, the city was in chaos.

The Irish were encroaching on their territory, the men were at war, and Massimo couldn’t get control of anyone. So instead, he came to Lucian’s father with an offer, a marriage contract of sorts. Adelina would marry Lucian and in return, Lucian’s family would back them in the war against the Irish.

Lucian despised arranged marriages. He knew they were common in his world, his own parents had an arranged marriage, but they never planned to force it on their children.

“Love is love.” His mother had told him. It was not something someone else could choose for you.

Though his parents had a beautiful marriage and the years had only brought them closer together, they vowed to never force their children into one like they had been.

When his father received the offer, he told Lucian that he didn’t have to take it, but it he wanted to meet the girl, that was his choice.

He did.

There were many reasons.

Among them, Adelina Lucille DeMarco was gorgeous.

Tonight, she was all legs with a short leather mini skirt and sky-high heels. Her toned stomach peeked out beneath a sequin crop top, and her dark chocolate hair laid in loose waves down her back. She made this dive bar look not so bad. He imagined everything looked better with Adelina.

Her smile was infectious. She sipped a Long Island Ice Tea, the third that Lucian had counted, and laughed with her group of friends. From his view at the bar, Adelina looked almost like an average college student, but Lucian knew those brown eyes had seen more than their fair share of loss.

He was only on his second glass of whiskey when the pretty brunette he'd been eyeing all night came up beside him. He hadn't planned to stay so long but after watching Adelina dance he couldn't seem to leave. He watched for an hour as she fended off several attempts from the guys her age. Guys who were probably ten time less dangerous than him. Guys who would probably marry her and take her far away from the hell she called a family. Lucian probably should have let her go. He probably should have told her brother and his family to fuck off. But he wasn't that good of a guy.

"You've been staring at me." She said bluntly, setting her empty glass up on the bar.

"You're observant," he mused.

The corners of her lips turned upward into a smile. She was right, he had been staring at her. Maybe this is why he didn't do his own surveillance.

"So, tell me," She smirked with lush pink lips. "Do you like what you see?"

His cock perked at that. Damn, this girl.

"Has anybody ever told you no?"

She thought for a moment. "No," she smiled.

If her brother knew she used that pick-up line he would have her locked in a tower, but lucky for Lucian he wasn't here.

"So," she cooed. "Is that a yes."

Lucian took a slow sip from his whiskey. "Sweetheart, you are absolutely beautiful."

She smiled proudly. "Buy me a drink?"

Lucian knew damn well that she didn't need anyone to buy her a drink, her family had plenty of money. This was all just a game for her, but he was more than willing to play.

He flagged the bartender and ordered her another Long Island ice tea, and dropped a $20 on the bar for him.

She eyed up the twenty, taking a long sip from her fresh drink. "Who are you?"

"Lucian." He extended his hand for her to shake, which she laughed at.

"Stella."

She had no idea who he was. And now she was giving him some fake name, which made him assume she did this often.

This girl.

Half of him was pissed, the other half completely turned on.

Adelina DeMarco had no idea who he was or that tomorrow at noon she was going to be promised off to him like cattle.

But tonight, Lucian couldn't help but feel that Adelina wanted him for all the right reasons.

So, he was making a decision to enjoy it.

One drink turned into two and it was after midnight when they strolled into the penthouse suite Lucian was renting. Adelina whistled as the elevator doors opened. “Looks like we have a high roller.” She stumbled entering the place and leaned against the wall to gain her balance.

Lucian chucked. “We’re not in Vegas, baby.”

She smiled up at him, her shoulders pressed against the gold and white wallpaper. “Then why do I feel so lucky?”

Lucian couldn’t control himself at that line. Plus, her hips were thrust out towards him. Welcoming.

She ran her tongue along the seam of her lips, practically calling for him.

Fuck it.