Send the Ugly One, He'll Reject Her! They Laughed — But the Mafia Boss Was Speechless!

The wedding took place at three o'clock in the afternoon in Mateo’s private library.

There was no white dress. There were no flowers, no weeping relatives, and no celebratory music. Adelaide wore a tailored black suit that one of Mateo’s staff had rushed to purchase for her from a high-end boutique in the city. For the first time in her life, clothes actually fit her body, accentuating curves she had always hidden under oversized sweaters.

A terrified local judge rushed through the vows while four of Mateo’s heavily armed capos stood silently in the corners of the room.

“Do you, Mateo Moretti, take this woman...” the judge stammered.

“I do,” Mateo said, his voice deep and unwavering. He didn't look at the judge; he looked entirely at Adelaide.

“And do you, Adelaide Jones...”

“I do,” she whispered, her voice surprisingly steady.

Mateo reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. It wasn't a delicate, traditional diamond. It was a massive, flawless emerald surrounded by dark diamonds, set in heavy platinum. He slid it onto her trembling finger. The weight of it was an undeniable anchor to a new, dangerous world.

“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife,” the judge choked out.

Mateo didn't wait for permission. He stepped forward, placed one warm hand on the back of Adelaide’s neck, and kissed her.

It wasn't a gentle, chaste kiss for the sake of the judge. It was a firm, possessing claim. When he pulled away, Adelaide’s cheeks were flushed, and her pulse was racing wildly.

Mateo turned to the four capos in the room. His eyes were devoid of the warmth he had just shown his bride.

“Look at her,” Mateo commanded his men.

The hardened mafia soldiers immediately focused on Adelaide.

“This is Adelaide Moretti,” Mateo’s voice cracked like a whip through the quiet library. “She is the Donna of this syndicate. Her word is my word. If anyone looks at her with disrespect, if anyone mentions her scar, or if anyone hesitates to follow her orders, I will personally cut their tongue from their mouth. Do we understand each other?”