After the death of their mother, Sophia and her sister grew up in a dangerous world. Their mother died young, and their heartbroken father began to see them as property, destined for a loveless marriage to the highest bidder.

As the eldest, Sophia made peace with duty. "One day, I'll have to marry a dangerous man against my will," I've learned that it's best not to fight, as it keeps my sister safe from the darkness of this world, Sophia thought to herself.

She made a vow to enjoy her freedom while it lasts, even if her dream was to become a writer, she loved poetry so much and this has triggered her dream of being a writer in the future.

As her mother would say to her before she passed away, "Sophia , you're a sweet princess".

 She made her believe in this fairy tale, but she was born in a world of blood, "The Mafia".

In her twisted fairy tale, no prince rescued her. Instead she got engaged to the beast, she fell for the man she despised, the one who calls her his cruel beauty. "A mafia boss". 

"We should go back or Dad would be mad," said Sophia to her sister Adriana.

" So, let him…He can't do anything," said Adriana.

"Well, he could marry you off," replied Sophia.

"Please, you're the marriage material one, I'm the mess, you're my beloved sister not a mess," said Sophia.

"Miss Sophia and Adriana! Your father is asking for you," said security Frank, one of their father's guards.

'Erk, I hate them! They aren't leaving," retorted Adriana.

" Ladies in trouble again?" Asked Nelson.

We're hiding from Dad's guards; if they find us , it's going to end badly. We are not supposed to be here, it's too dangerous. 

"Then it seems you're a little trouble maker, Sophia, " Nelson flirted.

Nelson was her only male friend because their fathers were business partners. When she was younger , she had a crush on him but quickly realized there was no 'spark'. "Even if I had feelings for Nelson, he became a made man a few years ago, and I will never fall for a man in the mafia, " Sophia thought to herself.

" Those girls are around here, I'm so sure of it, " said one of the guards. 

Sophia and her sister begged Nelson to distract the guards, so they could run away while they were looking in the other direction.

As they were searching for a place to hide, Sophia's heart stopped as her gaze landed on the most dangerously handsome man she had ever laid her eyes on . 

Her heart flew to her throat when their eyes met even from a distance, she could see his expression soften as he was drawn to her.

He took a step towards her like he couldn't help himself, like though he had met her too.

From a distance , a magnetic pull was drawing her to him.

Spellbound, in just an instant, he made her feel like a doe chased by the hunter. To her , he was like a knight in the black armor pulled straight from a fairy tale.

Something tells her this was the fateful encounter she had been waiting for her whole life.

"It's okay, let's go, it's pointless," she said.

" No, I refuse to let them know we are here, " said Adriana.

" Your father won't be pleased to know you are here again in the garden, " said Nelson.

" Give them a break! Good luck with your father, " said one of the guards.

Back at home, Mr. Jefferson was angry and ranting , thinking of what suitable punishment he was going to mete out on his daughters.

"Ofcourse, you disrespected my orders and went there alone without supervision. What were you doing out there, acting like a year old child? You're covered in dirt! But anyways, today is a good day for us … so, you'd get your punishment later, " said Mr Jefferson , Sophia and Adriana's father.

"My daughters, get ready. We're receiving an important man today," said Mr. Jefferson, Sophia and Adriana's father.

"Who could that be?" Sophia thought to herself.

Usually, when their dad is receiving a male guest, they are not allowed to go downstairs to meet him.

"Adriana, I've had enough of your antics. You're too rebellious…That's why I'm marrying you off to the coldest and most feared mafia boss," said Mr. Jefferson.

There's only one man he could be talking about," Sophia thought to herself.

Her father didn't need to name the man… The most dangerous mafia boss's reputation preceded him. "Roman De Rosa?"

He became a ruthless mafia boss at only 27. He is the leader of the Italian mafia and the familia. He's known to be a man whose glance freezes people to death. He always gets what he wants; people bow to him. He is a man without a heart, a soulless god… Adriana's future husband?!

Adriana: What? You can't do that to me! 

"I can and I will," said Mr. Jefferson.

"Adriana is only 18; she's too young to get married. I'm 21; use me instead." Sophia defended her sister. 

"Oh! I have other plans for you! Our family will benefit from Roman's wealth, and an attachment to our family name will only make Roman more powerful. Think of this as a mutually beneficial agreement," said Mr. Jefferson.

"You can't marry Adriana before me," said Sophia.

"Do you really think you can handle the mafia? I can't hand off my most delicate and weak daughter to a man like him… 

Do you remember my friend Pablo? He's almost as rich as Roman, but far less dangerous. He would make a good husband for you," said Mr. Jefferson.

Pablo is a disgusting old man and he is her dad's business partner.

"I'll never be that freak's wife," said Sophia.

"I can't give you to Roman, no… that man can't take my most precious daughter," said Mr. Jefferson.

"We're your daughters, dad! Since mother died, you don't have a … "

"Don't talk about her! If you want this family to survive, you'll agree to this union. Now go get ready before our guest arrives!"

"Since their mother's death, Mr. Jefferson lost his heart. A culmination of actions led to particular events, and in that deep thought, Sophia fell… 'Are you okay?" Asked Adriana. She fell at the feet of a man. 'Not okay,' Sophia responded."

She looked up and her heart hammered across her chest. She realized the man in front of her could only be the one and only Roman De Rosa. The most powerful man alive, the person who could bring men to their knees with a single ice-cold glare. Knowing how dangerous he is should terrify Sophia, but the electric pulse of attraction she felt in the woods only grew stronger. 

"Are you okay?" asked Roman.

Sophia couldn't answer him as she was in deep admiration of his imposing height, taller than any man she had ever seen. She was carried away by the distinguished lines of his ripped muscles underneath his suit. She had met many men despite her father's orders but none of them were like this charismatic and elegant figure in the most terrifying way in front of her. He is all man, all power, and all alpha-the type of man who hides scars of his past, a man who leads with an iron fist. A man who can break you if you don't stay away. 

"You could have helped me," said Sophia.

"You don't need my help," Roman responded.

Sophia stood in front of her sister, shielding her from him.

"Where are our damn guards when we need them? Adriana, go to your room and wait for me," said Sophia.

Roman kept staring at her with fiery eyes, trying to read the emotions that lie beneath her icy glare.

 I pray he doesn't see the way I try to catch my breath, Sophia thought to herself, overwhelmed by the attraction of a man she should fear.

"Guards, leave us," the guards left immediately. "Do I make you uncomfortable, Sophia?" Roman asked.

Sophia was thrilled by the way he mentioned her name. "God, I'm in trouble," she muttered. "Of course, you're making me uncomfortable. You're staring at me," Sophia responded. 

Sophia had always been the quiet and innocent one, but something about this man lights a fire in her. For the first time, she felt alive, more than that, she felt in control. He took a step towards her, trying to intimidate her, but she was not budging. "Why aren't you afraid of me?" Roman asked.

 I won't give you the satisfaction of cowering before you like everyone else does. I've heard a lot about you. I know the type of man you are, " replied Sophia.

Roman laughed… , I've heard things about you too, Sophia, or should I say the sweet mafia princess? But I think there's more to you, there's a spark in you, buried far beneath the delicate exterior. The question is...Are you ready to let it out?"

 I don't care about the rumors about me, but if you despise us, why come here?" Sophia asked. 

"I have my reasons," Roman responded. "How old are you, by the way?"he asked. I'm 21, not that this is any of your concern, and my sister is only 18. You can't marry her; that's disgusting. If you do anything to me or my sister, our guards will make you lose a thumb or more," said Sophia.

"I don't think so. They will probably lose their head instead. Plus, I don't have any interest in your sister or in doing anything to you, Sophia, but…"

"Sophia, what are you doing? I apologize, Roman, for the disrespect my daughters showed you… I asked you to get ready for our guests," said Mr. Jefferson. He moved closer to scold her.

He moved closer to Sophia to scold her. She fell as his grips hardened on her wrist, and her heart jumped to her throat, fearing he would want to teach her a lesson in front of his "guest."

"You're hurting her," said Roman.

"You will agree with me; a bit of discipline is required for… " Mr. Jefferson retorted.

"I will not repeat myself, Jefferson; let her go, " said Roman.

" Fine… Where do you think you're going?" Mr. Jefferson asked Sophia.

" I need to change out of this ripped dress so I can look presentable for our guests," said Sophia.

" That simple white dress tells me you're just as innocent as they say you are… I wonder if any of the outfits in your wardrobe tells a different story," said Roman. 

" Oh! They will, alright? You just wait." Sophia responded.

" Did you see how that Roman guy stares at you? He didn't pay attention to me, not that I'm complaining." said Adriana.

" That was because I literally fell at his feet!" Sophia responded.

" What did he say? Do you really think he's as fearsome as everyone says he is?" asked Adriana.

" He's all bark and no bite," said Sophia.

"Where did the attitude come from? I like it," said Adriana.

" I have a feeling that no one has ever stood up to him before, but that ends today. I'm putting him on something hot that will show him that he has finally met his match," said Sophia.

Sophia got to the beautifully decorated room she shared with Adriana, planning to dress up to show Roman who he was dealing with. She became irritated by the thought of her action and what he would think of her and went for the ugly outfit her father picked for her.

"Yes, this will have to do," she said to herself. 

Sophia and Adriana hid behind the stairs looking at the scenery facing them as they were eavesdropping on the conversation ensuing between their father and Roman. 

Roman had backed Mr. Jefferson into a corner, reducing him to a trembling mess without laying a finger on him. Waves of anger radiated off Roman's body in a way that should have scared Sophia, but instead, it left her feeling electrified.

What are you doing?" asked Mr. Jefferson.

"You know I don't take it kindly with disrespect towards women; I think you're weak, Jefferson!" said Roman.

"They are my daughters; I do whatever I want," said Mr. Jefferson.

" No, not with her, " said Roman.

"Am I dreaming or is Roman threatening father? Adriana asked with a big surprise on her face.

"My house, my rules; you may leave if you're unhappy," said Mr. Jefferson.

"Tssh… Tssh…. You don't make the rules anymore, Jefferson, and I think I've changed my mind about our little arrangement." said Roman.

" You can't go back on your word!" Mr. Jefferson responded.

" I'm not going back on our agreement, but I don't want the younger daughter; I want Sophia."

" No, I agreed for Adriana," Mr. Jefferson fired back.

" Me?! Shouted Sophia with shock.

"Oh God! I think he wants you," said Adriana.

The idea of becoming betrothed to such a dangerous man should have terrified Sophia, but for the first time, she felt powerful. After years of being an older sister, protecting Adriana was instinct; she couldn't let her get married, and she couldn't sit around and watch her father marry her off to Pablo, not when some forbidden part of her wanted the knight in black armor that stood before her. Before she knew it, she was coming out of hiding, taking control over her life for the very first time.

"I will do it! I will marry Roman," she said.

Adriana and her father were surprised while Roman stayed expressionless, and with that declaration, her dark fairy tale began.