Chapter 1 - THE BRIDE WHO RANAvery Bennett is supposed to marry Caleb Mercer in one of Manhattan's most expensive weddings.
Everything looks perfect.
The flowers are white.
The guests are wealthy.
The photographers are waiting.
Her mother has spent months telling everyone that Avery is "the luckiest woman alive."
But Avery knows the truth.
She doesn't love Caleb.
Worse, she has discovered that her father has arranged the marriage for business purposes. Caleb will provide financing for Bennett Atlantic Logistics, while Avery's marriage will effectively bind the two families together.
Just before the ceremony, Avery accidentally overhears her father and Caleb arguing in a private room.
Her father says:
"After tonight, she won't be able to walk away."
Caleb responds:
"She doesn't have to love me. She only has to obey."
Avery realizes that the marriage isn't a marriage.
It's a contract.
She escapes through a bathroom window, tears her stockings on the fire escape, loses her shoes, and runs through Manhattan wearing her wedding dress.
Her family's security team begins searching for her.
Then she runs directly into the path of a black luxury sedan.
The car stops inches from her.
Behind the wheel is Luca Moretti.
Dark-haired.
Calm.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
Avery expects anger.
Instead, Luca looks at her bare feet.
Then at the wedding dress.
Then at the men chasing her.
He simply says:
"Get in."
She refuses.
Luca doesn't threaten her.
He tells her:
"You don't know me. That's true. But you do know the men behind you."
Avery gets into the car.
Luca drives away.
She discovers that he is not an ordinary businessman.
He is the man New York's underground world whispers about.
The Moretti family.
A powerful criminal organization.
Avery has accidentally escaped one dangerous man...
and entered the car of another.
But Luca does something no one else in her life has ever done.
He gives her a choice.
"I can take you somewhere safe."
Avery asks:
"And what will you want in return?"
Luca looks at her.
"Nothing."
For the first time in her life, Avery doesn't know how to respond.
Chapter cliffhanger: Luca receives a phone call.
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His expression changes.
"They found us."
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