The Ashford Syndicate

The Bride Sent to Kill the Don

The don's bride was paid to cut his throat on their wedding night — then she sits across from him at the reception and realizes she doesn't want to.

I was raised by my uncle after Roman Ashford's father put a bullet in mine. My uncle trained me, pointed me at the Ashfords, and paid me two hundred thousand dollars to cut Roman's throat between the soup course and the first dance at our arranged wedding. A clean contract, a clean wedding. Roman does not know me. Then he pours my wine, touches my hand, and smiles at me with a chipped front tooth no one ever noticed. I have seventeen minutes to decide whether to spend the money or to spend the rest of my life in his house.