Paper Promises & Hidden Blades

Two days. That’s how long it took for Don Romano to call Sera into the study again. Two days since he offered her up like a pawn. Two days since she buried the last piece of her heart with her brother. She had expected more time before the noose tightened around her. But she should’ve known better.

Her father stood by the window, swirling whiskey in a glass he hadn’t touched. “He agreed.”

Sera didn’t need to ask who. She wasn’t that naive.

“And you expect me to… what? Play house with a Blackthorne?” she asked, her voice tinged with bitter disbelief.

Don Romano didn’t turn to face her. “You’ll meet him tonight. Privately. No press. No guards.”

A harsh laugh escaped Sera’s lips dry, bitter, cruel. “Alone? You think that’s safe?”

Finally, he looked at her. And for a brief moment, it seemed as though guilt flashed in his eyes. Or maybe it was just the reflection of her rage.

“If you’re going to be married to him, Sera… you should at least know what kind of monster sleeps beside you.”

The Romano estate hadn’t changed. Still drenched in power, old money, and lies. Rivan Blackthorne walked the halls with the same slow, predatory grace as he had when he was a boy before everything had turned to war. Before everything had turned to ashes. He had been here once before years ago. A different time, a different woman. But now? Now it was Sera.

Tonight, they would meet. Alone. He didn’t expect the meeting to be pleasant. He didn’t expect anything at all, really. But he was ready for it. They left him in the study, the door closing behind him with a click that echoed through the silence.

Rivan didn’t sit. He waited. And when the door opened again...There she was.

The study was quiet. Too quiet. Sera had been in this room a thousand times before, sitting across from men who owed them favors or feared their name. But tonight? Tonight the air felt different thicker, like it knew something was about to break. The heavy oak door creaked open. She didn’t need to look up to know it was him.

His presence arrived before he did like cold smoke curling under the door, sliding against her skin, whispering threats she couldn’t quite hear. Rivan Blackthorne.

He closed the door behind him slowly, like he had all the time in the world to ruin hers. Sera stayed seated in the high-backed leather chair, legs crossed, her posture sharp. The image of control. But inside, she was coiled like a viper, waiting for him to make the first move.

“Didn’t think you'd actually show up,” she said, her eyes fixed on the fire crackling in the hearth beside them.

“Didn’t think you’d be alone,” he replied, his voice low, as he walked toward her with that same lethal grace, like a man who didn’t need to run from danger because he was it.

“I’m not,” she said casually, nodding toward the drawer where her blade waited. His lips curved into something that wasn’t a smile. Something darker. A warning dressed as charm.

“Good,” he said. “I’d be disappointed if you weren’t planning to kill me.”

Sera didn’t flinch when she stood. Didn’t hesitate when she stepped closer. Didn’t even blink when she reached up and ran her fingers along his jaw soft, slow, as though she was memorizing the feel of it.

Then she leaned in, her breath just brushing against his ear as she whispered,

“I will never be yours.”

He smiled again, but this time, the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“You already are,” he said softly. “On paper. In blood. In name.” His voice was low, almost tender.

“But don’t worry, Sera…I don’t want a wife.” He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear.

“I want a weapon.”

Sera didn’t slap him. Didn’t scream. She just laughed. It was soft, bitter, and cruel. It didn’t reach her eyes.

“You don’t know me, Blackthorne...I know enough.”

He turned to leave, his hand on the door. Behind him, Sera’s voice cut through the silence calm and sweet with venom.

“Then you know this, too.”

“If I ever get the chance... I’ll put a bullet between your eyes and smile while I watch you bleed.”

Rivan paused, but only for a moment. He turned back, his eyes locking onto hers. And then he smiled.