Chapter 10

PROMISED TO THE MAFIA PRINCE

(She is his to ruin)

Chapter Ten

Rico POV

Maria and Enzo walked side by side, making their way to me and the priest. We had to use her brother instead of her father because of an earlier breakdown.

I had been a fool for allowing that bastard Sergio to go see Mia. This wasn’t the first time he had tormented her with his presence or words. He drilled fear into her just by being in the room.

I had been careless, and I regretted it. And now that’s the scary part. Maria was only here because I planned on making her suffer. My previous act of concern hadn’t been necessary.

It scared me just as much as it infuriated me. "If I was going to make her suffer, then I shouldn’t feel any emotions toward her. Not even pity."

Any form of kindness toward her was going to be my downfall.

"Yet, you were so tempted to say something when she asked if you were going to protect her from yourself!" a voice screamed at the back of my mind.

She reached where I was and sat in front of me while the priest started with the vows.

Our family was all seated in the living room as we took our vows. This marriage wasn’t one out of love. It was one out of hatred.

And I vowed to make Maria Jose Vitalio suffer by my hand till the day I died, and so help me whoever that is up there.

“Do you, Rico Russo, take Maria Vitalio as your lawful wife?”

“I do,” I answered, not letting him finish his words, while the priest cleared his throat and faced my bride.

“Do you, Maria Vitalio, take Rico Russo as your lawful husband?” he asked Maria, and she gulped and looked at her aunt and mom.

She turned back to me and took a deep breath; yeah, she was surely going to need it.

“I do,” she answered and gulped down.

“You may kiss the bride,” the priest said, and I pulled her closer to me, pressing my lips against hers.

It wasn’t gentle; it was rough, a promise of what I planned on doing to her. The pain, the betrayal, the hurt — I was going to return it tenfold, and she better look forward to it.

I was going to break her into pieces and leave her with nothing but ruins.

Till death do us part, princess.

Maria POV

I sat with my mom while Rico and Dante escorted the priest out. I could still feel his lips on mine; his kiss was just like him—rough and dominating. I hated it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“Maria,” my mom called, and I faced her. “You did good. I know it wasn't easy, but I’m proud of you,” she said while I tried to act like I was okay with everything.

I had just gotten married to Rico. We were married. It felt like a dream, except it wasn’t.

This was my reality. I was married to Rico Russo, the man I despised the most.

Rico came back into the house with his dad, and I took a deep breath. He walked toward me, and I could hear my heart beating fast.

“It’s time for us to leave.”

“Leave? Where are we going?” I thought this was our final destination. It was more than enough to contain everyone present for the wedding, so why did we have to leave?

What was he planning?

“I don’t have time for questions, Maria. Stand up. We have to go.”

“Rico, why don’t you people stay here for a while? We have plenty of space, and you can—” my aunt tried to step in but was cut short by her husband.

“Aurora,” Don Dante called and signaled for her to stop. This couldn’t be real. They were really going to let me leave with him.

I looked at my mom for help, but it was fruitless. I glanced all around—my brother, my sister, anyone for help—but no one could.

I wanted to wipe off the smirk on Rico’s face, leave him with nothing but pain just like he was doing to me.

He was doing all this just to break me. It was working, but I’d rather die before I gave him the satisfaction he wanted.

“Fine,” I stood up from my seat. “After you, husband.”

I followed Rico out of the house, my legs heavy with each step. He led the way, not bothering to look back, as if I was nothing more than a figure trailing him.

As we stepped outside, the cool night air hit my already cold skin, but it did nothing to ease the fire raging inside me. The car was waiting, and Rico didn’t waste any time opening the door. He gestured for me to get in.

I hesitated for a moment, my fingers shaking. I glanced back at the house one last time, hoping for some sort of rescue from my mom or my aunt, but there was nothing.

I slid into the backseat, and Rico followed, closing the door. The driver started the engine, and the car moved forward.

I heaved in a deep sigh, adjusting myself slightly. We didn’t speak, as I refused to look at him. I missed Joshua.

“How long are you going to sulk?” Rico finally asked, his voice irritated.

I set my jaw, refusing to answer. What was there to say? That I hated him? That I despised this marriage? He already knew that.

“Look at me.”

I turned my head slightly, meeting his gaze and refusing to say a word.

“You’re my wife now. And you’ll do what I say.”

I swallowed hard as anger and fear gnawed inside me. “Not that I had a choice,” I muttered under my breath.

Rico smirked, leaning closer. “Neither did I, princess. But that doesn’t change a thing.”

I turned away from him again, my finger clasped in my lap. The ride felt too long and I just wanted to escape. Leave and never return.

The car finally came to a stop in front of a big iron gate. It opened slowly, revealing an estate in the distance. My stomach clenched as we pulled up to the house.

“Welcome to your new home, Princess.” Rico said as the car stopped in front of the main entrance.

I stared at the building. Its black walls and windows made it feel more like a prison than a home. From prison to prison.

Stuck with a man who took pleasure in my suffering.

The driver opened my door, and I stepped out, my legs wobbling slightly. Rico was already heading toward the front doors, not waiting for me. I forced myself to follow.

Rico turned to face me, “This is only the beginning, Maria,” he said. “I suggest you get used to it.”

With that, he pushed open the doors and walked inside, leaving me standing there.

Rico led the way up the stairs without a word. My hands trembled at my sides as I followed.

It was tradition to consummate the marriage on the wedding night. Rico had made no effort to conceal his stupid intentions to make me suffer, to break me, like I did to him.

Would he force himself on me?

I tried to push the thoughts away, but they refused to leave. My breath quickened as we reached the top of the stairs, and Rico stopped in front of a door. He opened it and stepped inside.

My feet felt like jelly, but I entered the room. The bedroom was large with dark furniture and a big bed.

Rico turned to face me, his expression unreadable. My skin prickled with unease as he walked toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.

I swallowed hard, trying not to show any form of fear, but the closer he got, the more I failed at it. I walked backwards until I felt the edge of the bed press against the back of my cold legs.

Rico stopped in front of me, towering over me, his face still unreadable.

"You look scared," he said, in an almost amused voice. "What are you afraid of, Maria? That I’m going to hurt you?"

I bit my lip. I didn't want him to know how much fear he instilled in me. But the truth was that I was terrified.

Terrified of Rico. Terrified of my dad. Of everyone.

Terrified of my life now.

"I don’t want this," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly, tears welling up in my eyes.