Signed To The Mafia King - Chapter 18: Chapter 18

LUCA
Men who had killed, built empires, and torn them down sat in a circle, watching us. The Costa and Marino families were two of the biggest names in the city.
Their rivals, allies, business partners, and enemies were all here, packed into my father-in-law’s estate, waiting for the ceremony to end.
I sat on the floor beside Alina.
She had her hands on her lap to hide the way they were shaking.
I had no idea why she was nervous, she had refused to say anything more in the car after I'd asked why I would let her go.
She was my wife. In the mafia, a marriage was forever.
I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “None of your uncles came.”
She didn’t turn to look at me. “You know why, Luca.”
I did. Roberto must have told Alberto about Luca’s threat. There was no way they would show up here.
Alina blinked. “They hate me now.”
I tilted my head, studying her face. Her voice was light, almost careless, but I could tell she wasn't comfortable with it from the way her fingers were still shaking.
“Because of me?”
“Because of me,” she corrected. “I gave you control over what should have been theirs.”
She already had control. Her marriage to me just made it official. Still, I didn’t like the way she said it.
Like she was already thinking about what would happen when she left me. Why was she already thinking of that?
Before I could press her, she lifted her chin slightly, her eyes moving across the room. “They’re staring at us.”
“They’re staring at you,” I said. “Trying to figure out what kind of woman hands over power to a man she barely knows.”
She turned to me then, a small smile on her lips. “And? What do you think, Luca?”
I let my fingers brush over her wrist, feeling her pulse jump under my touch.
“I think you’re smarter than they realize.”
She blinked, surprised, but before she could say anything, the old man stood.
The room became quiet as a tomb.
Carlo Costa. My grandfather’s cousin. He was nearly ninety now, his hands shaking as he held the silver chain that he would tie around us.
The tradition had been passed down for generations. It was meant to show that this marriage was more than the vows, it was permanent.
Alina turned, her knee brushing mine as we shifted to face him.
Carlo met my eyes first, then Alina’s. “Are you ready?”
She nodded. I did too.
Everyone stayed silent as the chain was wrapped around our arms, tying us together from wrist to elbow.
Carlo moved slowly, carefully twisting the chain until it locked in place.
He took a key from his pocket and with a turn, he sealed the chain.
Carlo exhaled, stepping back. His words were the first to break the silence. “It is done.”
The men around us clapped at once, but I barely heard them.
I was lost staring at Alina. She was breathing heavily, lifting her arm so that the chain rattled between us.
She looked like she was just realizing she was really married.
I lifted our tied arms so everyone could see it, turning my wrist until my fingers brushed hers.
“You still think this is temporary?” I asked quietly.
She turned, meeting my eyes. “Isn’t it?”
I stared at her for a long moment.
Did she really think she could just walk away? That this would end after a few years? We had never discussed that, but I had also never thought she would assume that.
I leaned in, letting my lips kiss her ear. “You belong to me now, Alina, and I won't give up what’s mine.”
She didn’t pull away. Didn’t argue.
She just watched me.
Across the room, Sofia was watching too, looking between the both of us.
I met her eyes for a brief second before she looked away, returning to whatever conversation she was pretending to have with the young men around her.
The key to our bond was now in Carlo’s hands.
But the real power?
That was in mine.
The singing started and dragged our attention to the men who were standing slowly.
After the chain ceremony, there was always dancing and singing. The men all stood, moving in a wide circle around us, stamping their feet against the floor.
Alina and I sat together on the floor, still tied at the wrists. The men stepped out of the circle to drop gifts at our feet.
There were gold coins, thick stacks of cash, bottles of expensive wine, even a few small weapons. Each gift was thrown with a cheer, a show of loyalty and respect.
I could feel Alina’s fingers twist against mine as she watched, her eyes moving from the gifts to the men dancing around us.
I leaned closer, my lips brushing against her ear. “Surprised?”
She let out a slow breath, eyes still on the men. “It’s a lot.”
“You thought there’d be less?”
She shook her head. “Honestly? I expected some blood. There always seems to be.”
That made me laugh. “Give it time.”
The singing and dancing became louder, boots slamming against the floor. Slowly, each man left the circle and returned to their seat on the floor.
When everyone was seated, and the meals were being shared to the men, Carlo came forward and removed the chain from our arms.
The singing and dancing had ended the ceremony.
Carlo nodded. “May your marriage be fruitful. May you have young sons and daughters, and may they be stronger than their father before them.”
He kissed our foreheads before returning to his seat.
He had barely sat down when someone shouted. “Aren’t we all wondering the same thing?”
Alina tensed beside me.
I already knew who it was before I turned my head.
Paolo Finch stood just outside the circle, holding a drink, smiling like this was all a game to him.
I didn’t move. I didn't like Paolo and he knew it.
He was a traitor, he would sell his own men out if he could make some money from it. I looked away. “I doubt we’re thinking the same thing.”
He took a slow sip of his drink. “Oh, I think we are. We’re all here celebrating, but the real question is, when will the bride give us an heir?”
Alina shifted uncomfortably beside me. I felt the way her body locked up, the way her fingers pressed harder against mine.
My jaw clenched.
Paolo’s grin widened. “Some say she’s untouched. Wouldn’t that be something? A Costa bride, handed over, but still pure.”
Alina bent here head, but not before I saw the look in her eyes. It was embarrassment. It was disgust.
I kept my voice even. “I don’t discuss my wife. And neither should you, Paolo.”
Paolo ignored me, tipping his glass toward Alina. “Or maybe Luca is making her wait? Making her beg for it?”
A few men laughed under their breath. Others looked away.
I moved before I even thought about it.
Standing, I crossed the room to Paolo in a few seconds. His smile left his face the second I grabbed him by the collar and yanked him off the floor.
His drink crashed to the ground, glass shattering.
Alina gasped behind me. I was furious. Who told him he could humiliate my wife that way? Whatever happened between my wife and I, wasn’t up for discussion.
I was made more furious by the fact that he was closer to the truth than even he knew.
Paolo choked, grabbing at my wrist, his legs kicking slightly as I held him in the air. “Hey…”
I squeezed harder. “I warned you not to insult my wife.”
The room was watching. Every single man had turned, waiting to see what I would do.
I leaned in closer, my voice low and steady. “I don’t warn twice.”
Then I let go.
He dropped hard, his back slamming against the floor. He coughed, his face red and twisted in pain.
I didn’t look away as I turned to my guards. “Get him out.”
They moved fast, grabbing him by the arms and dragging him toward the door.
Just before they reached it, I called out. “Paolo.”
He looked back.
“If you ever step near my wife again, you won’t be walking out.”
His face paled.
The doors slammed shut behind him.
I rolled my shoulders, shaking off my anger, then turned back.
Alina was staring at me, her lips slightly parted. Her eyes were hot as they held mine. I felt it like a touch on my skin.
I sat beside her again.
She turned to face me. “That was unnecessary. The men will hate me now. “
I raised an eyebrow. “He insulted you. And this was exactly why you married me. To protect you from men like him.”
She frowned. “You threw him out for talking.”
I didn’t bother to correct her. “I threw him out for forgetting who he was talking to.”
Her eyes searched mine, trying to read something there.
She shook her head slightly. “You’re impossible.”
I smirked, letting my hand rest over hers. “And you’re mine.”
I tightened my hand on Alina’s hand, letting my thumb move slowly over her skin.
She didn’t pull away.
The door opened.
I barely had time to look up before Victoria stepped inside.
Fuck! What the hell was she doing here? I hadn't invited my mistress to my wedding.
She moved through the room like she belonged there, her red dress hugging every curve.
She winked at me, her eyes locked onto mine as if no one else existed.
And then, just like that, she was in front of me, pushing between Alina and me.
Her hand landed on my chest.
"I’ve missed you," she whispered.