I Married My Sister's Mafia Fiancé

Riley's POV

The day my sister and I came back to life, we made one call: swap fiancés.

Last time, Dad burned every favor he had to lock down two marriage deals for the family. One with a mafia family that runs the West Coast. The other with a corporate CEO.

My sister married the mafia leader. She was too gentle, too kind for a world that ran on blood and backstabbing. The man had a childhood friend who played soft and helpless but was vicious as hell underneath. That woman tormented my sister for decades before finally arranging an "accident" that killed her.

And me? I got the polished CEO.

Sounds good, right? Except we tortured each other from day one. He was all rules and manners, always talking like he was giving a speech. Me? I blow up fast and if I can throw a punch, I will. Every day was the same standoff. He'd pull back, I'd push forward, and nobody gave an inch.

We spent our whole lives being polite and miserable.

Then one day, my sister and I woke up on the afternoon they announced the engagements.

"Grace, I'm marrying Marcus. You take Ethan. We switch."

I stand in the dressing room doorway, staring at my sister's tear-streaked face in the mirror.

She whips around, eyes wide. "Are you out of your mind? That's Marcus Kane! Do you have any idea what he'll do to you?"

"Yeah, I know exactly who he is. That's why I can't let you go through with it."

Downstairs, I can hear Mom and Dad arguing. Mom's voice drifts up: "The Kanes won't want Riley with that temper. Grace is refined. She's a better fit."

Like hell she is.

"Plus he's got that childhood friend!" Grace grabs my arm. "She'll come after you with everything she's got. You won't survive there! Your temper? They'll never accept you!"

"Which is exactly why you shouldn't go." I look her dead in the eye. "Grace, I know you. They'll destroy you. I'm different."

"I don't take shit from anyone. If it works out, great. If not, I fight back. Get even. No hesitation, no regrets. I live how I want."

"Besides, we've got resources. Worst case? I come back home." I flash her a grin. "Call off the engagement. What's the big deal?"

Grace stares at me, eyes welling up again. But this time, she doesn't argue.

After a long silence, she smiles through her tears and nods.

"Okay. We switch."

I push Grace into the silver sedan heading to the Ashfords and climb into the black armored SUV parked beside it.

The door slams shut. Cigar smoke hits me immediately. The driver is built like a brick wall with a face to match. When he sees me, surprise flashes across his face, then turns to contempt.

"Isn't this Miss Riley? You got the wrong car. The boss is marrying Miss Grace."

"Cut the crap. As of today, I'm your boss's wife. Drive."

The guy freezes, his mouth twitching. Finally, he starts the engine.

We barely make it a few yards before I hear running footsteps behind us. I look back and see Mom and Dad burst out of the house, Mom's face white as paper.

I lean out the window and yell, "Don't worry! I'll take care of myself!"

The car pulls away, leaving them behind.

I sink back into the seat, watching the streets blur past the window. Honestly, I'm putting on a brave face, but inside? I'm nervous.

This is a legendary mafia leader we're talking about. Cold-blooded, brutal, ruthless.

But I'd rather gamble with my own life than send Grace to her death.

About half an hour in, the car dies with a loud bang.

The driver gets out, cursing under his breath. I wait five minutes, lose patience, and get out too. I roll up my sleeves and start messing with the engine. The driver stands there stunned for a few seconds before crouching down to help.

We work on it for ten minutes. Nothing.

I stand up and wipe the grease off my hands. "Forget it. We'll walk."

"Walk?" His eyes go wide. "Miss Riley, you can't just... this isn't right..."

"What's wrong with it?" I start walking. "You want to stand here in the middle of nowhere for an hour? Come or don't, your call."

Behind me, the driver sighs heavily and follows.

Forty minutes later, I finally see the estate. Fortified like a damn fortress. By now, I'm covered in sweat with black grease stains all over my clothes.

The guards at the gate move to stop me.

"I'm here for the wedding." I point at the wheezing driver behind me. "He'll vouch for me."

The driver rushes forward to explain. The guards exchange looks, half confused, half amused, before stepping aside.

I don't bother acknowledging them and walk straight in.

The estate is huge, but nothing like I expected. No flowers. No red carpet. Not even anyone here to greet me.

I snort. A power play, huh?

The grease is sticky and gross against my skin. I look around for a butler or someone who can point me to a bathroom.

That's when a voice cuts through from the couch across the room.

"So this is the Sterling family's eldest daughter?" The voice is pure mockery. "Looking like that? What happened to those fancy manners?"