Prologue.

PROLOGUE Nora looked out through the window everywhere dry which was quite different from last week when there had been a storm through the foundations of the Caruso family and left her gasping for air. Just seven days ago, the grand ballroom of their estate was filled with white roses and crystal, awaiting the union of her cousin, Renata Caruso, and Nikolai Volkov. Until she saw what she wasn’t supposed to lay her eyes on, Nikolai Volkov wasn't just a businessman like they all thought, he was a mafia lord, a man known for illegal doings and inciting fear in people. Nora had spoken up and told Renata everything she knew and the wedding of the year didn’t end up happening.  For Nora, the storm had struck twice, she'd found Carlos, the man she'd naively believed she was building a future with never loved her or considered her as a girlfriend.  This wasn’t the only thing that worried her, she had done something… something so despicable that she couldn’t even think of it and all she could do was to cry, her eyes were blurred with tears and she felt like a pathetic fool. "You're a thousand miles away," she suddenly heard Renata say softly and she quickly wiped her tears away before tilting her head to look at Renata who stepped further into her room. The canceled wedding had taken a visible toll on her. "Still thinking about that worthless pig, Carlos?" Nora forced a smile, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Something like that. I'm just... sorry. For everything, all my drama on top of yours." "It's not drama, Nora. It's life and it's messy." Renata reached across her fingers brushing Nora's. "At least we're free of them. You, from a liar and me... from a monster." A shiver traced its way down Nora's spine at the word 'monster'. She had a fleeting, terrifying image of icy blue eyes. She quickly pushed it away, it was just a one-night stand.  A mistake.  A secret she would carry to her grave. Just then they heard voices and they both looked at each other, “What is going on?”Renata asked and they both stood up walking out of the room.  The moment they stepped into the grand living room, time seemed to slow as Nora’s gaze fell on him.  What was Nikolai doing here? The wedding was off except… Renata gasped her hand flying to her mouth, her face draining of all color. "Nikolai? What are you doing here?" He ignored her completely. His piercing gaze was fixed solely on Nora, and in it, she saw the reckless night slam into place. Her father Antonio Caruso stepped forward angrily, "Volkov," he growled, "You have five seconds to explain your presence in my home before my men remove you in pieces." Nikolai didn't even flinch. He slowly turned his head to face the head of the Caruso family, "Don Caruso," Nikolai's voice was dangerously low, "I am not here for an apology nor here for war." He took a step forward, his eyes flicking from Antonio to Renata, to the whole family and finally, landing back on Nora, pinning her in place. She felt naked, exposed and her sin pressing down on her. "Then why are you here?" Antonio demanded, stepping in front of both girls protectively. Nikolai's lips curved into a smile that held no warmth, "I am here to claim my bride." "My daughter Renata will never be your bride, you bastard. The deal is dead." Renata’s mother stepped forward immediately and yelled.  Nikolai let out a soft chuckle. He shook his head slowly, his gaze never leaving Nora's. "You misunderstand me, Mrs. Caruso," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerously intimate level that everyone could still hear. "I am not here for Renata." He raised a hand and pointed a single, damning finger directly at Nora. "I want her, I am here to seek the hand of Nora Caruso in marriage." "Preposterous!" Antonio bellowed, his face turning a dangerous shade of crimson. "On what grounds do you dare make such a demand? My daughter barely knows of your existence!" The cold amusement in Nikolai's eyes intensified. He looked from the enraged father to the petrified daughter, letting the tension stretch, he was enjoying this, Nora realized every second of her utter demolition. "On what grounds?" Nikolai repeated softly, finally breaking eye contact with Nora to look Antonio Caruso straight in the eye. "I demand her hand on the grounds of honor. A concept I'm sure you understand." He paused, taking steps closer to Nora who was visibly shaking. "Your precious daughter was in my bed a few days ago and in my world, Don Caruso, when you take a woman's virtue, you take her as your wife. Whether she is willing or not." Everyone gasped, Nora wished the ground could open up and swallow her while Nikolai gently whispered words to her ear that only she could hear. “I told you I was going to destroy you, Nora, how does it feel when everyone turns against you?”