Vanessa Rivera had imagined many possible futures during her career.
Getting shot during a raid.
Burning out after years of chasing criminals.
Maybe even retiring early if the job finally crushed her patience.
But standing inside a luxurious dressing room while strangers prepared her for a mafia wedding had never been one of those futures.
She stared at herself in the mirror.
The white dress was elegant. Too elegant. Silk fabric draped perfectly across her shoulders, flowing down like something from a royal ceremony rather than a forced political arrangement.
One of the stylists adjusted the veil carefully.
"You look stunning, Mrs. De Luca."
Vanessa's expression didn't change.
"Don't call me that."
The woman quickly looked down.
"Sorry."
Vanessa sighed and rubbed her temples.
Her mind replayed the events of the last twenty-four hours.
The arrest.
The government deal.
The contract.
The mansion.
And now—
A wedding.
Her phone buzzed quietly on the table.
Daniel.
She grabbed it immediately.
"Tell me you found a way out of this."
Daniel sounded exhausted.
"I tried."
"Tried?"
"I spoke with the commissioner, the mayor, even someone in the prosecutor's office."
"And?"
"Vanessa… they all said the same thing."
She already knew the answer.
"They won't touch Gale."
"No."
"Because he's useful."
"Exactly."
Vanessa clenched her jaw.
Daniel hesitated before speaking again.
"You don't actually have to go through with this."
"Yes, I do."
"Vanessa—"
"My brother's surgery is already scheduled."
Silence.
Daniel exhaled slowly.
"…I hate this."
"So do I."
"But if this is really happening…"
His voice hardened slightly.
"…then get close to him."
Vanessa looked at her reflection.
"That was always the plan."
"Find something we can use."
"I will."
"Vanessa?"
"Yes?"
"Be careful."
She ended the call.
The stylists finished adjusting the dress.
"It's time," one of them said gently.
Vanessa stood up.
Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor.
The hallway outside was filled with guards.
All of them dressed in black suits.
All of them armed.
They stepped aside as she walked past.
Some nodded respectfully.
Others looked curious.
The woman marrying their boss.
Vanessa ignored them.
She stepped through a pair of massive doors.
The wedding hall was enormous.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
Rows of chairs filled the room.
And nearly every seat was occupied by people who looked dangerous.
Crime bosses.
Smugglers.
Politicians pretending not to know them.
The most powerful figures in the city's underground world.
Vanessa immediately understood something.
This wasn't just a wedding.
This was a display of power.
Her gaze moved to the front of the room.
Gale stood near the altar.
Black suit.
Black tie.
His posture calm and confident as if the entire situation amused him.
The moment he saw her, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Not in anger.
In interest.
Vanessa walked forward.
Each step echoed across the silent hall.
Hundreds of eyes watched her.
Judging.
Measuring.
Wondering why a detective was marrying their king.
She stopped beside Gale.
Up close, he smelled faintly of smoke and expensive cologne.
"Nice show," she muttered quietly.
Gale didn't look at her.
"People expect spectacle."
"You invited half the criminal world."
"They invited themselves."
The officiant cleared his throat.
"Shall we begin?"
Vanessa resisted the urge to laugh.
Begin?
This entire situation felt like a bizarre nightmare.
But she remained still.
The ceremony started.
The officiant spoke about unity and partnership.
Words that meant nothing in this situation.
Vanessa barely listened.
Instead, she studied the room.
Faces.
Reactions.
Possible enemies.
Possible allies.
This wedding might be fake.
But it gave her something valuable.
Access.
The officiant finally reached the vows.
"Do you, Gale De Luca, take Vanessa Rivera to be your wife?"
Gale's voice was calm.
"Yes."
Vanessa glanced at him briefly.
He didn't hesitate.
Interesting.
The officiant turned to her.
"And do you, Vanessa Rivera, take Gale De Luca to be your husband?"
The room felt heavier.
Vanessa looked at Gale.
His dark eyes watched her carefully.
Waiting.
Testing.
She understood the game.
If she hesitated, it would show weakness.
And weakness inside a room full of criminals was dangerous.
So she answered.
"Yes."
The officiant smiled politely.
"Then by the authority granted to me—"
Vanessa stopped listening again.
She focused only on Gale.
Because something about his expression had changed.
He looked…
Satisfied.
The officiant finished the final words.
"You may kiss the bride."
Vanessa's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Don't even—"
But Gale was already leaning closer.
His hand moved gently to the side of her face.
Warm.
Steady.
Vanessa considered pulling away.
But every eye in the room watched them.
This moment was part of the performance.
So she didn't move.
Gale's voice dropped low enough that only she could hear.
"You're thinking about punching me."
"Correct."
His lips brushed hers.
Soft.
Quick.
Controlled.
Not romantic.
Not passionate.
Just enough to satisfy the watching crowd.
Then he stepped back.
Applause filled the room.
Vanessa resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Gale turned slightly toward the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said calmly.
"Thank you for attending."
More applause followed.
Vanessa leaned closer.
"You enjoy this too much."
"Only the interesting parts."
"And what part is that?"
Gale glanced at her.
"You."
She scoffed.
"I'm not entertainment."
"You're unpredictable."
"That should worry you."
"It does."
The guests began approaching.
One by one.
Mafia bosses.
Businessmen.
Men who smiled too much while hiding sharp intentions.
Vanessa quickly realized something important.
Every single one of them treated Gale with respect.
Not polite respect.
Fearful respect.
One older man shook Gale's hand.
"Congratulations."
Gale nodded once.
"Thank you."
The man then looked at Vanessa.
His eyes lingered longer than necessary.
"So you're the famous detective."
Vanessa forced a polite smile.
"That depends who you ask."
The man chuckled.
"You must be very brave."
Vanessa answered calmly.
"Or very stupid."
Gale's hand suddenly rested on the small of her back.
Possessive.
Subtle.
A warning.
The man noticed.
His smile faded slightly.
"Enjoy the evening," he said before walking away.
Vanessa glanced at Gale.
"You're territorial already?"
"You're my wife."
"Technically."
"Technically is enough."
More guests approached.
The process lasted nearly an hour.
Finally, the crowd began drifting toward the reception hall.
Music started.
Champagne appeared.
Vanessa stepped away from the main room and moved onto the balcony.
The cool night air felt refreshing.
The city lights stretched across the horizon.
Footsteps approached behind her.
She didn't need to turn.
"Shouldn't you be entertaining your criminal empire?" she asked.
Gale stepped beside her.
"They can entertain themselves."
Vanessa leaned against the railing.
"So this is it."
"For now."
"One year."
"Yes."
"And then we walk away."
Gale didn't respond immediately.
That bothered her.
Vanessa turned slightly.
"You agreed to that."
"Yes."
"Then why do you look like you know something I don't?"
Gale watched the city below.
"Because you still misunderstand something."
"And what's that?"
His voice lowered slightly.
"You think this marriage is your trap."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow.
"It is."
Gale turned his head slowly.
His dark eyes met hers again.
"No."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"This…"
He gestured lightly between them.
"…is mine."