She Found Another Woman’s Ultrasound Hours Before Her Wedding, but the Mafia Boss Who Came for Her Groom Knew Why He Had Kept It

The warehouse returned to a calm quiet. Lucian re-holstered his weapon and turned to look at Camille.

"You didn't flinch," he observed, taking a step toward her.

"I told you," Camille replied, drawing her own hand from her pocket and looking up at him. "I'm done being afraid of men who think they hold power."

Lucian looked at her, his dark eyes burning with an intense, unyielding passion. He closed the distance between them, reaching out to wrap his powerful arms around her waist, pulling her flush against his body.

"You were meant for this life, Camille," Lucian whispered, his face inches from hers. "You were meant to rule it with me."

Camille reached up, her fingers sliding into his dark hair, pulling him down to meet her gaze. "I didn't come here to be ruled, Lucian. I came to rule beside you."

Lucian let out a low, breathless laugh before leaning down and pressing his lips to hers in a deep, fiery kiss that seemed to consume the darkness of the warehouse around them. It was a kiss born of power, victory, and an unshakeable bond forged in the fires of betrayal and revenge.

When he pulled back, his eyes remained locked onto hers. "Then an empire it is, my Queen."

One year later.

The Grand Ballroom of the Drake Hotel in Chicago was filled with three hundred of the most powerful figures in the Midwest—politicians, corporate titans, and international shipping lords.

In the center of the room, standing beside a massive floor-to-ceiling ice sculpture bearing the crest of Vane Enterprises, stood Camille Hunt Vane. She wore a stunning, fitted emerald-green silk gown that caught the warm light of the crystal chandeliers, a diamond necklace gleaming at her throat.

Beside her, holding her hand with a protective, firm grip, was Lucian Vane.

Nadia Brooks walked up to them, wearing an elegant evening dress, carrying two glasses of champagne. She handed one to Camille with a bright, proud smile.

"One hundred and forty-seven people were supposed to watch you get married two years ago, Cam," Nadia whispered, leaning in close. "Now three hundred of the most dangerous people in the country are standing at attention just to shake your hand."

Camille took a sip of the champagne, looking across the crowded ballroom. Through the grand glass doors, she saw the lights of Chicago shining bright and endless beneath the dark sky.

"The wedding was canceled, Nadia," Camille said softly, a dark, beautiful smile gracing her lips as Lucian pulled her gently against his side. "But the reign has just begun."