SARAH’S POV.

I’ve never felt this overdressed and underdressed at the same time.

The silk gown hugged my body like it had a vendetta against comfort, its burgundy fabric clinging to my skin with every step I took on the marble tiles. High heels clicked beneath me, echoing like gunshots in the wide expanse of the luxurious hotel. The sea glittered in the distance, waves crashing against the cliffs like a warning. The air was scented with roses, wine, and danger.

I stood at the edge of the garden-turned-wedding-paradise, clutching a glass of champagne I hadn’t sipped. I stood on the stairwell hidden from the spotlight and watched the bride, my mother, glide through the maze of people like it was a second nature. She was exquisitely dressed. Glowing in a off shoulder lace gown that was dripping with crystals and shone when light fell on it. Adorned with diamonds on her neck, ears and topped with the shimmering tiara. But the shiniest thing about her was her smile.

My mother had the most beautiful smile, filled with pure joy and when she laid eyes on her groom, they seemed to sparkle like diamonds.

She was so incredibly happy.

I should be happy as well.

But my nervously clenched hands told a different story. My stomach coiled as I stared at the opulently dressed guests. Men dress in Armani tuxedos and are armed with fake smiles and dangerous eyes. Women in designer dresses hanging off the hands of such men scanning each other for weakness.

What a dangerous world. A world I thought I and my mother didn’t belong in. But as I saw how my mother deflected hidden remarks and responded with polite words how she won over most of the women with her smile and gentle disposition and like a guard her now husband, Rafael Moreira, stood behind her. A man whose very presence could command obedience and silence . A man whose smile could mean someone’s death. A man whose heart has been hardened by his history and experience. That man stared at my mom with overflowing love and adoration.

It was then I realized my mother would be perfectly fine in this world. She always had a flare for danger and she was now married to one of the most dangerous men in the world.

It only me who felt out of place. In this world of guns and blood. It was too new, too different. From a quiet nerdy doctor’s daughter from a little town in California to the step daughter of the biggest Mafia king in Europe. Change is scary and I’m not a fan of change.

“Darling, why are you standing here?” My mom walked up to me taking my hands in hers. “ Are you okay? Do you need air?” She asked, worried evidently.

I shook my head. “ No, I’m fine I just feel—” I gestured to the entire hall and my mom nodded with a smile knowing exactly what I meant.

“ It’s okay dear. If you feel overwhelmed you can just go outside—but you don’t know the hotel well enough.”

“ I’m fine mom, I'll manage.” I tried to reassure her.

“Nonsense.” A deep imposing voice came from behind.

Mom and I turned to face my new step dad, Rafael Moreira. Dressed in a crisp black tuxedo that accentuated his figure. His black and silver hair was slicked back and his mustache perfectly trimmed giving him a cool and elegant look.

“ You don’t need to worry, someone will help you around. “ Rafael raised his head and gestured to someone behind me.

Then the air shifted.

I didn’t see him at first. I felt him.

My heart hiccupped in my chest before I even turned.

And there he was.

Andrew.

God.

He didn’t wear a tie. Of course, he didn’t. His black dress shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing the sharp line of his throat, the ink of a tattoo peeking from beneath. His jacket hung from his shoulders like it was part of him, and his hair was pushed back in that effortlessly infuriating way.

He looked like sin dressed in silk.

He stopped walking when his eyes locked onto mine—those eyes, grey as smoke after a fire.

He then looked away instantly, making me think that the fire in his eyes was just my imagination.

What was he doing here?

He turned to Rafael and simply gave him a curt nod which Rafael gave in turn. To my mom, surprisingly, he gave her a small smile that was genuine and not just polite. An action that was met with a gentle pat on the head and an even bigger smile from my mother.

I was so confused. Did they know each other? How did Andrew, my highschool bully all the way in California, find his way to Italy and to a Moreira function.

I’m sure confusion was evident on my face because my mom said “ You two haven’t had the chance to meet earlier than this. Darling, this is Andrew Moreria, Rafael’s son and your new brother.”

Just like that, my day just went from uncomfortable to Holy Spirit save my sanity.

This was even more shocking than when my mom decided to whisk us up from our simple lives and thrust us right into the center of a dangerous world.

By the time I got myself, Rafael and my mom were already on the dance floor and I was left with Andrew whose cold face was filled with mischievous mirt.

I forced my gaze away, pretending my heart wasn’t trying to punch through my ribs. I turned sharply—only to hear footsteps behind me.

Low and deliberate.

“I knew you’d wear red,” his voice came from behind, dark and dangerous

“This is burgundy.” My voice came out tense and shaking exposing my nervousness at being in such close proximity with him.

“Still suits the name,” he chuckled at my reaction as his hands came up from my waist and wrapped the back of my neck.

I instinctively moved forward only to the harshly dragged into his embrace and his lips fanned my ear.

I hated the way my body reacted to his touch. My muscles tensed and my pulse quickened.

And he knew that. Every touch of his skin on mine sent my mind into a frenzy.

I thought I had gotten rid of his hold on me, but clearly I haven’t.

“ Welcome to the family sister” He said sarcastically.

“Hope you are ready for hell.” His grip became tight causing a moan of pain to burst from my throat.

“ Because I’m set to finish what I started in highschool.”

Oh hell no.