CHAPTER THREE—Fainted
Lyra's POV
I stood at the altar, cluelessly watching the drama unfolding before me—well, not until a gun was pointed straight at me.
I raised my hands in the air, my eyes shot tightly as my heart raised and fell fast in my chest.
I seemed cluelessly about shits happening around me—in my life lately.
First, was the debt which led to this godforsaken marriage.
Then this. My husband—sounded cringe but, yeah — my husband had a fiancé and from the look of things, their engagement was cancelled because of this so-called 'wedding'.
I waited for the sharp pain of a bullet piercing through my skin as soon as a gunshot erupted in the church, but then, nothing had happened. No pain. I didn't feel any liquid substance—blood, dripping from any part of my body.
Do you think one of my family members had taken the bullet for me, just like they do in movies?
No!
The thought of it made my heart skip and I instantly fluttered my eyes open in horror only to meet an entirely different scenario.
Everyone in the church had guns aimed at themselves, including Salvatore whose hand gripped the girl's neck tightly and the other holding her wrist which held the gun up in the air.
My mind snapped to my family. My eyes scanned the church and I found them, they were being guarded by Salvatore's men.
Relief hit me like a bullet.
My attention went back to Salvatore and the lady who he was strangling with all his strength. I could see tears rolling down her cheek, her red eyeballs, bulged out.
With the type of man Salvatore was, he wouldn't mind committing a murder in the lord's sacred hall. But I wished someone would stop him.
But what else could they possibly do? He had a gun aimed right at his forehead, but he seemed to care less.
Why would he propose such an alliance when he had a fiancé and she seemed powerful as well. Dragging the powerless me into something that seems like a clash between two organizations.
"Let go of her right now, or I'll pull the trigger, Salvatore" the man who'd pointed a gun at Salvatore's head ordered.
Someone was finally doing something!
Salvatore's gaze flew to me like he was checking if I was okay then back to the dying lady, then to the man
"Order me one more time, chicken….. I swear it'll cost you your life and hers" he said, his voice cold with no single emotion.
Shivers washed through my spine on behalf of the man.
He gulped down his saliva, his grip on his gun tightening. He didn't shoot, but he didn't dare utter another word.
"You see that fine shit standing on the altar?" Salvatore finally spoke, pointing at me.
"There's a whole lot of difference between you and her, Octavia Spencer, and trust me when I say you're nothing compared to her,"
He smirked.
"Do you want to know the differences between the two of you? The most important of them?"
He threw her to the floor, making her collide with the ground harshly.
"She won't have to beg me for a kiss. She won't have to beg me to sleep with her and hell, I chose her over you because she's a million better than you!"
Okay, I would be lying if I said I didn't blush at that. Yes, I knew he was trying to get to her and make her mad but…..
I was one hell of a big fool, innit!
"I can promise you a really slow and painful death, Octavia, and I'll make sure to eliminate the whole Russian clan if you dare try to hurt my wife. Trust me"
Octavia could say nothing. She soothed her neck gently for a while, then staggered up with the help of her men.
"You'll pay for this, Salvatore Leone Morano. I'll make sure the entire Morano pays for this humiliation!" She spat and without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the church.
Everywhere became calm, the tension slowly dying down. Just the sounds of guns being uncocked filled the church.
"Christ!"
Breathed out a figure who struggled out from under the church bench.
The priest.
How the fuck did he get there?
And wasn't he supposed to, like…pray?
He didn't even spare us a glance as he walked past us, murmuring silent prayers to himself until he was out of sight.
I hurried down from the altar and rushed to my family.
"Dad, Brent, aunt, are you okay?" I asked, concern laced in my voice as I checked their body round. Thank goodness, no injury.
"We're fine darling" my aunt replied, staring at Salvatore.
I already knew what she was thinking.
"No, no aunt, forget about what just happened. Salvatore is a really nice man" I tried to convince her, "Trust me, auntie" I said and she nodded slowly.
Of course, aside from my dad, Brent and I, nobody knew about the deal between Salvatore and my family, and I wasn't planning to disclose it to anyone else.
Not my dad getting all emotional when it was time to leave. His little princess was now married, and he was sending her off to a hell on earth.
Well, he didn't actually say that, but I knew that was why he was so emotional.
…..
The morano's estate was like a heaven on earth standing almost in the middle of nowhere.It was a lone sprawling mansion painted all white with a black painted steel gate.
My jaw dropped in awe the moment I stepped foot into the building. The marble floors gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers. Every piece of furniture looked like it belonged in a museum.
Everything about the mansion screamed nothing but WEALTH!
A few hours later, I was shown my room—a spacious, luxurious room with a well-dressed queen-sized bed. I unpacked my bag and changed into a tight black jean and a t-shirt I stole from my brother.
My room door burst opened and Salvatore walked in looking like a SIN.
He was dressed in All Black. Black ripped jeans that showcased his fresh and flawless thigh, black tank top that revealed the few tattoos he had on his chest and then a black leather jacket.
I hate to admit it, but he was dangerously and breathtakingly handsome.
"Are you done staring?" He smirked.
"I wasn't staring" I mumbled, lowering my gaze.
He stretched out an envelope that I almost didn't know he was with.
"The rules that guide living here with me" he said in his hoarse voice.
Rules?
Did I expect any less? Definitely Not!
I took the envelope from him and he walked out.
My eyes widened in awe or should I say in surprise as I read the content of what was in the envelope. Were these rules or punishment?
I stormed out of the room, each step echoing on the marble floor, heavy and purposeful. I just wanted to confront him. To ask him if I was his wife or a prisoner.
I walked around the whole mansion, its beautiful interior blurring into the background.
The house was empty!
There was no fucking soul in the house aside me?!
Where the heck did they all disappear to?
I was still descending the stairs when the lights suddenly went off.
Huh? Blackout? But why now!
Panic crept into me. I tapped my pockets in search of my phone, but it wasn't in any of my pockets. I probably left it in the room.
My shoulders stiffened, my palm getting all sweaty. I held on to the railing tightly with my legs glued to the marble floor.
"Is… Is anyone there?" I stuttered, scared. My heart thumbed in my chest, my breathing becoming ragged.
"Is anyone there?" My knee buckled beneath me as my vision blurred. It felt as if the world spun for a second and then everything went black