Chapter 6: Shackled Vows
The morning after the forced wedding dawned with an eerie stillness over the Moretti estate. But beneath that silence, shadows moved with purpose. Luca was no longer a man preparing for war—he was a man executing it.
Asher and Janet's parents were dragged into the estate grounds under heavy guard. Their hands were bound with rough cord, their clothes tattered, and their faces streaked with desperation. They had been captured in the middle of their escape attempt and brought to face Luca—at the altar.
The private chapel inside the Moretti mansion had been reset for another ceremony, but this time, the atmosphere was suffocating. A dozen armed guards flanked the pews, and the priest stood again at the altar, stone-faced and silently accepting the madness surrounding him.
Luca stood tall at the altar in a crisp black suit, exuding quiet rage. At his side, he gripped Janet's trembling wrist tightly as he led her forward. Her gown from the previous night was now wrinkled, her eyes red from crying. She tried pulling away, but his grip was immovable.
"Let me go!" she hissed, her voice cracking.
He didn't respond. He simply kept walking.
They stepped into the chapel. The sight before her made her heart stop.
Her parents were on their knees, hands tied, flanked by armed guards. Asher knelt a few feet away from them, his jaw clenched, blood on his cheek. His eyes were wild, furious, and trained directly on Luca.
Her mother cried out, "Janet! Come back to us! He's a monster!"
Janet froze. Her chest constricted.
Her father sobbed beside her mother. "Please, baby. This isn't you. Come back!"
Janet's tears fell like rain. She looked from them to Asher, whose expression wasn't regretful—it was angry, dark, and unreadable. He said nothing, but his eyes screamed revenge.
She felt the weight of all their eyes on her as Luca continued walking her toward the altar.
The priest cleared his throat and opened the aged book once more. The guards lifted their weapons and aimed directly at Janet's parents' heads. One twitch of a trigger, and it would all be over.
Janet's legs almost gave out.
Luca leaned close and whispered coldly in her ear, "One word. One movement. One hesitation. And they die."
She gasped through a sob. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because no one else will protect you like I can," he said, his voice a razor blade in silk.
The priest began the vows.
"Do you, Luca Moretti, take Janet…"
"I do," Luca said firmly, without hesitation.
The priest turned to her. "And do you, Janet…"
Her lips quivered. Her mind screamed for her to say no. To run. To fight.
But she looked up—and saw the gun to her father's head. Her mother was begging with her eyes. Her voice was gone, too choked by sobs to form words.
Asher glared with bitter rage, and yet Janet felt no comfort there. He had betrayed her too. He wasn't crying for her—he was angry he had lost.
Luca leaned down slightly. His hand barely moved.
The guards adjusted their aim.
"I… I do," Janet whispered, barely audible.
The priest nodded. "Then by the power vested in me—"
Before he could finish, Luca took a step forward and leaned in to kiss her.
Janet turned her face quickly, and his lips brushed her cheek instead.
The priest hesitated, then stepped back, gesturing that the ceremony was complete.
Luca turned to face the crowd of captives and guards.
"It's done," he announced coldly. "Janet is now my wife."
Janet stared blankly ahead, unable to process what had just happened. Her knees shook beneath her, and the ring on her finger felt like a shackle.
Suddenly, she pulled away and ran toward her parents, but before she could get far, a wall of black suits closed in on her. Luca's guards blocked her path, towering, silent, and immovable.
"No!" she cried, pushing against them. "Please! Let me talk to them!"
Luca walked toward her parents and Asher, who now all looked defeated and weary.
He looked directly at her parents.
"Janet is mine now," he said with venom. "Stay away from her, or I will not be merciful next time."
He turned back and grabbed Janet's arm, dragging her gently but firmly back.
"Let them go," he told his guards. "Take them out of my sight."
Asher rose to his feet shakily, eyes blazing. "You think you've won?" he hissed.
Luca didn't even spare him a glance. "I have. And you've lost everything."
Janet watched, numb, as her parents and Asher were dragged out of the chapel. Her mother screamed her name. Her father cried. Asher glared one last time before disappearing into the hallway.
Then silence.
Janet turned to Luca. "You didn't have to do this."
"I did," he replied. "Because they were never going to let you live."
He guided her back toward the halls of the estate.
"Your life begins now, Janet," he said. "And whether you like it or not—you're safe with me."
She didn't answer. Her eyes were hollow. Her heart ached in places she hadn't known existed. And still, she walked beside him.
Because where else could she go?
To be continued...