The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Aurora · Ongoing · 31.1k Words

269
Hot
369
Views
0
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

When innocent and quiet Elena Romano is forced to take her rebellious sister’s place in an arranged marriage to Lorenzo DeLuca, the ruthless heir of the DeLuca crime family, she steps into a world she never imagined.
Her sister, Isabella, was supposed to be the bride, meant to seal a truce between two powerful mafia families. But when Isabella runs away the night before the wedding, their desperate father threatens Elena to take her place or suffer the consequences.
Lorenzo, expecting a fiery and cunning bride, is shocked to find Elena—a soft-spoken but sharp-witted woman who wants nothing to do with the mafia world. He is cold, calculating, and sees her as just another pawn in the power game. But as the days pass, he realizes there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Chapter 1

Chapter One: The Wedding I Never Chose

Elena’s POV

The silk wedding dress felt suffocating, its intricate lace digging into my skin like shackles. The air was thick with the scent of roses, too sweet, too overwhelming. My heart pounded violently in my chest as I stared at my reflection in the grand mirror of the Romano estate. I looked like a bride—but I wasn’t supposed to be one.

It should have been her.

Isabella.

My older sister. The one who had been promised to Lorenzo DeLuca, the heir to one of the most feared mafia families in the country. The one who had been raised for this life, taught to be ruthless, charming, and deceptive. The one who had abandoned everything, running away just hours before the wedding.

And now, here I was. The substitute bride.

The heavy knock on the door made me flinch. A second later, my father stormed in, his face a mask of barely controlled rage.

“Get up,” he ordered, his voice sharp as a blade. “The car is waiting. You will not humiliate this family any further.”

I clutched the fabric of my dress, my nails digging into my palm. “Papa, please—there has to be another way. I can’t marry him. I—I don’t belong in their world!”

His hand struck my face so fast that I barely saw it coming. The sharp sting spread across my cheek, tears burning behind my eyes.

“You belong where I say you belong, Elena!” he spat. “Do you have any idea what will happen if the DeLucas realize Isabella is gone? If you don’t take her place, they will kill us all!”

Terror clawed at my throat. I knew my father wasn’t exaggerating. The DeLucas were ruthless, their name whispered in fear across the city. If they felt betrayed, they would burn everything to the ground—including us.

Still, the idea of marrying Lorenzo DeLuca sent ice through my veins.

I had seen him once before. A tall, imposing figure with dark eyes that held no mercy. The kind of man who could ruin you with a single glance.

He wouldn’t want me.

And if he found out about the deception?

I would suffer for it.

My father grabbed my wrist, dragging me to my feet. “You will smile. You will say your vows. And you will keep your mouth shut. Do you understand?”

I swallowed hard, my body trembling. “Yes, Papa.”

My compliance was the only thing keeping me alive.

As he led me outside, I saw my mother standing by the doorway, silent as always. She didn’t fight for me. She never did. My younger brother, Marco, avoided my gaze. He had always been Isabella’s favorite. No one in this family cared about me.

I was nothing but a spare. A pawn.

And now, I was being sacrificed.

The church was filled with people—powerful men in dark suits, women adorned in diamonds that shone under the golden chandeliers. The air was thick with cigar smoke and whispered conversations. I could feel their eyes on me, scrutinizing, judging.

But none of it mattered.

The only thing that mattered was the man waiting at the altar.

Lorenzo DeLuca.

My breath hitched as I met his gaze.

He was even more terrifying up close. Dressed in a tailored black suit, his sharp features were carved from stone, his expression unreadable. His eyes—cold, calculating—ran over me, and for a split second, I swore I saw something flicker in them. Displeasure. Suspicion.

I lowered my gaze, my hands trembling as I clutched the bouquet of white roses. My father led me forward, every step feeling like a walk toward my own execution.

When we finally stopped in front of Lorenzo, my father placed my hand in his.

His grip was firm, almost painful.

“You’re late,” Lorenzo murmured, his voice as smooth as silk but laced with steel.

I swallowed, my throat dry. “I—I’m sorry.”

His dark eyes narrowed slightly, studying me. “You’re different than I expected.”

I stiffened. Did he already suspect?

But before I could say anything, the priest began speaking. My mind was a blur, my heart racing as the ceremony continued.

And then, it came.

“Do you, Isabella Romano, take Lorenzo DeLuca as your lawfully wedded husband?”

Silence.

I could feel Lorenzo’s eyes burning into me, waiting. The entire room was waiting.

I opened my mouth, the words lodging in my throat. I’m not Isabella. I wanted to scream it, to run, to escape.

But my father’s warning echoed in my head.

“If you don’t do this, we all die.”

“I do,” I whispered.

Lorenzo’s jaw tightened.

“And do you, Lorenzo DeLuca, take Isabella Romano—”

“I do,” he cut in coldly.

The rings were exchanged. A kiss wasn’t required, but he didn’t look like he would have touched me anyway.

And just like that, I was no longer Elena Romano.

I was Mrs. DeLuca.

The reception was held in the DeLuca mansion, an opulent palace that screamed wealth and power. I felt out of place among the silk-clad women and dangerous men who spoke in hushed tones about deals and betrayals.

But the worst part wasn’t the strangers.

It was Lorenzo.

He hadn’t spoken a word to me since the vows. And when he finally did, it wasn’t what I expected.

“Come with me,” he ordered, grabbing my wrist and pulling me through the grand hallways.

My heart pounded as we entered a room—his office. The door shut with a loud click, sealing us inside.

Lorenzo turned to me, his expression unreadable. Then, in a blink, his hand shot out, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him.

“Who the hell are you?” he demanded.

I froze, my breath hitching.

“I—”

“Don’t lie to me,” he snapped, his grip tightening just enough to send a warning. “You are not Isabella Romano.”

My blood ran cold.

He knew.

I should have expected this. A man like Lorenzo DeLuca didn’t rise to power by being fooled.

Tears pricked my eyes as I forced myself to hold his gaze. “She ran away,” I whispered. “She left, and my father made me take her place. I—I didn’t have a choice.”

Lorenzo’s jaw clenched, his expression unreadable.

And then, to my horror, he laughed.

A low, dark chuckle that sent chills down my spine.

“You mean to tell me,” he murmured, stepping closer, “that your father thought he could deceive me?”

I shook my head frantically. “Please, I swear—I had no part in this! I didn’t want to marry you!”

His fingers slid from my chin to my throat, his grip gentle but threatening. My breath caught, my entire body going still.

“You should have run,” he murmured, his voice deceptively soft. “Because now, you belong to me.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks. “Please…”

He stared at me for a long moment before releasing me abruptly, stepping back as if I disgusted him.

“You will stay in this marriage, Elena,” he said coldly. “But don’t think for a second that you are my wife. You are nothing but a replacement. An inconvenience.”

His words cut deeper than I expected.

“Now get out.”

I didn’t move. My legs were frozen, my heart shattered.

Lorenzo’s eyes darkened. “I said get out!”

I turned and fled, the sound of his cold laughter following me.

And as I collapsed onto the bed of the room I had been given, I realized something.

I hadn’t just married a stranger.

I had married a monster.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Ryan

138.4k Views · Completed · Mary D. Sant
"What things are not under your control tonight?" I gave my best smile, leaning against the wall.
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.


Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.

She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan

Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!

Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.

Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
Letting Go

Letting Go

368.6k Views · Completed · Becky j
Molly's life was perfect. She was married to her high school sweetheart, surrounded by her friends and family and she was looking forward to the future. But that all ends one tragic night when her whole world is turned upside down.
That fateful night leads to Molly and her best friend Tom holding a secret close to their hearts but keeping this secret could also mean destroying any chance of a new future for Molly.
When Tom's oldest brother Christian meets Molly his dislike for her is instant and he puts little effort into hiding it. The problem is he's attracted to her just as much as he dislikes her and staying away from her starts to become a battle, a battle that he's not sure he can win.
When Molly's secret is revealed and she’s forced to face the pain from her past can she find the strength to stay and work through the pain or will she run away from everything she knows including the one man who gives her hope for a happy future? Hope that she never thought she would feel again.
The Alpha King's Human Mate

The Alpha King's Human Mate

469.9k Views · Ongoing · HC Dolores
“You must understand something, little mate,” Griffin said, and his face softened,

“I have waited nine years for you. That’s nearly a decade since I’ve felt this emptiness inside me. Part of me began to wonder if you didn’t exist or you’d already died. And then I found you, right inside my own home.” 

He used one of his hands to stroke my cheek and tingles erupted everywhere. 

“I’ve spent enough time without you and I will not let anything else keep us apart. Not other wolves, not my drunken father who’s barely holding himself together the past twenty years, not your family  – and not even you.”


Clark Bellevue has spent her entire life as the only human in the wolf pack - literally. Eighteen years ago, Clark was the accidental result of a brief affair between one of the most powerful Alphas in the world and a human woman. Despite living with her father and her werewolf half-siblings, Clark has never felt like she really belonged in the werewolf world. But right as Clark plans to leave the werewolf world behind for good, her life gets flipped upside down by her mate: the next Alpha King, Griffin Bardot. Griffin has been waiting years for the chance to meet his mate, and he's not about to let her go anytime soon. It doesn't matter how far Clark tries to run from her destiny or her mate - Griffin intends to keep her, no matter what he has to do or who stands in his way.
“Burn those who burned me!”

“Burn those who burned me!”

118.4k Views · Ongoing · Toddria Holiday
Follow several different stories of betrayal and revenge as the main characters finally seek justice and payback of those who betrayed them!

Burn those who burned me is an anthology book circulated on truth; justice; and REVENGE!

Story #1 The Ballad of Rabena Price.
Story #2 The rebirth of Clara Granger
Story #3 The violin of Graceland Teague
Story #4 The list for Josie Taylor

Story #5 COMING SOON!
The Mafia's Sugar Queen

The Mafia's Sugar Queen

84.2k Views · Ongoing · Gregory Ellington
In a world of debt, desperation, and dangerous desires, Hannah never imagined her survival would lead her into the arms of a powerful and mysterious man.

Struggling to save her ailing mother and escape crushing financial ruin, Hannah enters a high-stakes arrangement that promises to solve her problems—but at what cost? Leonardo, a man with shadows darker than night and power beyond imagination, offers her everything she needs. Luxury. Security. Protection.

But in the treacherous landscape of wealth and power, nothing is as simple as it seems.

As Hannah navigates a complex web of sugar dating, corporate warfare, and unexpected emotions, she discovers that some bargains come with strings that can either save you or destroy you completely.

When lines between transaction and passion blur, and enemies circle like sharks, Hannah must decide: Is survival worth the price of her soul?
Healing His Broken Luna....

Healing His Broken Luna....

104.8k Views · Completed · Jcsn 168
Do you believe in Myths? Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Lucy lost everything four years ago in a rogue attack. She's been abused, starved, rejected, and broken. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, strange things start to happen, things that only happen once every century. She finds friendship in the most unlikely place and escapes to find her true self with the help of the most dangerous Alpha. Warning: This werewolf trilogy is not intended for anyone under the age of 18 or anyone who doesn't enjoy a good spanking. It will take you on adventures around the world, make you laugh, fall in love, crush your heart and possibly leave you drooling.
I Am His Wolfless Luna

I Am His Wolfless Luna

348.7k Views · Completed · Heidi Judith
Ethan's fingers kept rubbing back and forth on my clitoris, while his penis kept jumping inside my body. Every joint on my body is sore and screaming for the next orgasm. All too quickly, I feel that electric tension winding tighter, a mounting pressure that threatens to shatter me. My hips lift involuntarily, urging him to continue his exploration, silently pleading for the release I’m so close to tasting.

Ethan also kept emitting deep roars in my ear, 'Damn... I'm going to cum... !!!' His impact became more intense and our bodies kept making slapping sounds.

"Please!! Ethan!!"


As the strongest female warrior in my pack, I was betrayed by those I trusted most, my sister and my best friend. I was drugged, raped, and banished from my family and my pack. I lost my wolf, my honor, and became an outcast—carrying a child I never asked for.

Six years of hard-won survival turned me into a professional fighter, fueled by rage and grief. A summons arrives from the formidable Alpha heir, Ethan, asking me to return as a wolfless combat instructor for the very pack that once banished me.

I thought I could ignore their whispers and stares, but when I see Ethan's emerald-green eyes—the same as my son’s—my world tilts.
The Song in the Alpha's Heart

The Song in the Alpha's Heart

112.5k Views · Ongoing · DizzyIzzyN
A Remastered Version of Werewolf's Heartsong.

Alora, has been hated by her family since birth. Her Families favorite pastime is torturing her.

After turning eighteen she's rejected by her mate, who turns out to be her older sisters boyfriend.

Breaking the chains that bound her powers, Alora is freed from the family that hates her, and is given a new family.

When an old friend and protecter of her's returns home to tak his place as next Alpha of Alpha's, Alora's life is once more changed for the better as he says the fated word. "Mate."
The Alpha's Hunt

The Alpha's Hunt

166.7k Views · Ongoing · Ms.M
Every girl at the age of eighteen, if left unmated, is volunteered for the Alphas Hunt. Hazel is no exception and also the only one who sees it not as a chance to find a strong Alpha to take care of her, but rather as a ceremony that strips you of your free will and sends you out into the woods to be hunted like a deer.

If she is claimed she will be his. If she is not, she will return in shame and be shunned from her pack.
Hazel knows the ways of the Alphas, being the daughter of a Beta, but what she doesn't count on is the presence of the Lycan King. The leader of all is participating in his first-ever hunt, and she is his prey.

Warning: This book contains a LOT of mature content such as strong language, explicit sx scenes, physical and mental abuse, BDSM, etc.*
The Wrong Alpha  - A Twist of Fate?

The Wrong Alpha - A Twist of Fate?

89.7k Views · Completed · Beth Jackson
Delilah can’t wait for her boyfriend to turn 17, for him to meet his Alpha wolf, and finally sense his fated mate. She has long since been predicted as his fated mate by all in their pack having been childhood sweethearts. They make a perfect couple so this would be the perfect love story for them. Surely fate couldn’t take an unexpected twist sending her on a painful path she didn’t expect? That painful path could change the person she once was but may bring an unexpected ally……could it be in a bitter twist of fate Delilah all along had held her hopes on the wrong Alpha?
Heartsong

Heartsong

359.1k Views · Completed · DizzyIzzyN
The LCD screen in the arena showed pictures of the seven fighters in the Alpha Class. There I was, with my new name.
I looked strong, and my wolf was absolutely gorgeous.
I looked to where my sister is sitting and her and the rest of her posse have jealous fury on their faces. I then look up to where my parents are and they're glaring at my picture, if looks alone could set shit on fire.
I smirk at them then I turn away to face my opponent, everything else falling away but what was here on this platform. I take my skirt and cardigan off. Standing in just my tank and capris, I move into a fighting position and wait for the signal to start -- To fight, to prove, and not hide myself anymore.
This was going to be fun. I thought, a grin on my face.
This book ”Heartsong” contains two books “Werewolf’s Heartsong” and “Witch’s Heartsong”
Mature Audience Only: Contains mature luangege, sex, abuse and violence
My Possessive Alpha Twins For Mate

My Possessive Alpha Twins For Mate

485.3k Views · Completed · Veejay
"No... You can't do this to me..." I almost squeezed the words through my teeth, my voice trembling.
My drunk stepfather remained indifferent, his weight suffocating, making it hard to breathe as my heart raced.
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and two figures burst in.
"Get off her!" a deafening roar echoed.
I didn't expect the twin brothers who'd bullied me at school to come charging in like gods to save me.
After my grandmother passed, I had to move in with my mom and stepdad, who treated me like a servant. I prayed every day for my 18th birthday to come, so l could leave and escape this broken home.
However, on my first day at my new school, l encountered the legendary twins everyone feared.
To make matters worse, the Moon Goddess revealed they were both my mates!
After helping me out with my stepdad, my twin mate cornered me, played with my hair, and whispered possessively, "You belong to us, our little mate..."