Aria marries Luca Vitiello in a lavish ceremony attended by hundreds of guests, including members of the Chicago Outfit and the New York Famiglia (two rival Mafia families). The marriage has been orchestrated to forge a bond between the two gangs, which is especially important since they both face a growing threat from the Bratva (the Russian mob). As she speaks her vows, Aria is full of fear and uneasiness.

Three years before the wedding, 15-year-old Aria Scuderi is summoned to her father, the Consigliere of the Chicago Outfit.

Her father explains that to combat threats from the Russian Bratva and the Taiwanese Triad, the Chicago Outfit must ally with the New York Famiglia. He reveals he met with Salvatore Vitiello, the Capo dei Capi of New York, and that he and Chicago’s Boss, Fiore Cavallaro, have arranged for Aria to marry Salvatore’s oldest son, Luca Vitiello. Since Fiore has no daughters, he offered Aria as the most beautiful girl available. Her sister Gianna was spared because she is younger.

Aria protests she is too young, but her father says the deal is sealed, though her mother convinced Fiore to postpone the wedding until Aria turns 18 and finishes her studies.