Dante's POVThe man whose fist had been hitting my abdomen was too weak. I barely felt his punches. What the hell did this mean? Was this what I had been spending time training in my mafia?With just one hand, I grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up, his feet dangling as he struggled to free himself."Boss, please let me go!" His hoarse voice managed to let out. I was out for blood and so I kept holding on, while landing punches of my own on his abdomen."That's how you punch you stupid fool! You all hit like little girls.""Don," Marco’s gruff voice sounds behind me. "You're going to kill all the men with how frequently you're doing this."I dropped the idiot to the floor. He gasped for air, running away to join the other eight men who had already been through the same. I had been trying to let out the rage that had been inside me, but nothing worked. All I could think about was Alora’s tearful face as she was dragged away to the dungeon.But did that mean I was going to pull her
Dante's POVI took a deep breath, feeling my heart race wildly in my chest. No, Alora couldn’t have escaped this dungeon. No one could get past it. Unless maybe the men who brought her here were the ones working with her. Maybe they let her go somehow."Marco," I barked into the phone. "Get me the men who were supposed to lock Alora up.""Yes, don."In no time at all, the two men were brought in front of me, their hands bound. Marco and Vittoria stood behind me, and the two men, almost completely naked, were tied to the poles. I could see the fear in their eyes."So, men, where is the girl?" I asked coldly."I don't understand, don. What do you mean?" one of them stammered."What do you mean, 'you don’t understand'?" I snapped, my voice low with anger. "Where is Alora? The girl you were supposed to lock up? Why isn’t she here?""Boss, we... we don’t..." They exchanged uncertain glances, clearly panicked.I stepped closer to them, my gaze hardening. "Well then, it seems like you came h
Alora’s POVA few hours later, I woke up again, expecting to be in the same cold, enclosed space. But apparently, I really was out. I was in the medical bay, connected to an IV line and a heart monitor. My hands were bandaged up to my elbows, and I winced as I remembered how much I had scratched them in that terrifying place.Despite trying hard to forget, my mind kept drifting back to the dungeon. Each time it did, a shiver crept down my spine, making it feel like I was back there, reliving the memories.A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. A girl poked her head in. She looked beautiful, with bright hazel eyes and blonde hair. She looked like a model but had a stronger build than most girls and was a bit on the curvy side.“Hi,” her soft voice greeted me.“Hi.” I paused, studying her. Why did she look so familiar? Oh, I know—she looks like Luca.“My name is Vittoria,” she said, extending her hand.I showed her my hands, and she stared, taking in my injured right wrist.
Alora's POVWhen Gianni stepped into the room, I kept my eyes locked on the door in anticipation of the person Bianca said was her supporter against me. But when nobody came in after almost 10 seconds, my heart dropped. It was Gianni? God no!As if confirming my thoughts, Bianca smirked."Gianni, go ahead and tell them everything."My eyes widened, and the question spilled out before I could control myself. "What is she talking about?"Without even glancing at me, Gianni turned to Dante. "I'm sorry, brother. I'm really sorry. But, Alora, indeed, did everything.""No! Gianni, what are you talking about? Just shut up. You don't even know what you're saying," I shouted, but he didn't look at me."Do not tell my brother to shut up, you stupid girl," Dante snapped, making me clamp my mouth shut. My heart was beating wildly in my chest.Bianca chuckled, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh, Alora, the evidence is right here, and you’re going to deny it? If it was on camera or something, it
Alora's POV"Uh, sir? I'll stop here," I told the cab driver, who had carried me a few meters from Dante's mansion. I was tailing Gianni. The little boy had boarded an SUV that seemed to have been waiting for him, and I had followed, tossing all rationality out the window.This could very well be a trap set up by Bianca, but I was beyond caring. After days of being cooped up in Dante's property, I was finally able to visit the outside world.A strange urge filled me—the urge to run, to start a new life somewhere else.As the cold breeze hit my skin when I stepped out of the taxi, I paused, considering—maybe I should just escape. This was my opportunity, right? Gianni had unknowingly helped me, and I could leave. If it were a trap, by the time they came for me, I’d be long gone.But I couldn't abandon Gianni. Not after all that happened today. Bianca might hurt him, or worse. No, I couldn't just leave him. I'd stay and—"Hey, lady, are you gonna pay me or what? I gotta go to work," a v
Dante's POV“Vittoria, do you and Marco have a death wish?” I snapped. They shook their heads, eyes wide.“No? Good. Then shut the hell up and let me think.”I was pacing, frustration boiling over. Everything seemed to be going wrong. I’d just gotten a call that one of my warehouse shipments had been tampered with, only to get there and find nothing wrong.It was most likely a setup—a ploy to lure me out, to either attack me or distract me for something else to go down. My men were clearing the way for us to head back, while I was thinking of what could possibly have gone wrong. But these two idiots were making it difficult with all their mindless bickering.And, of course, they were talking about the one person I hated right now. Alora Marino. I couldn’t believe I’d even considered giving her a chance. And yet, after everything, she turned out to be the worst woman I’d ever met.“Don, I understand your frustration, but don’t you think all of this seems... weird?” Vittoria’s voice cut
Dante's POVThe tension hung in the air as I stood up, my gaze fixed on Alora—her shaking form standing just a few feet away from my desk. Alora’s pretend act wasn’t going to save her this time. She had barged in, hoping she could trick her way out of this situation, but her plans were incomplete—too bad for her. I was already way ahead of her.Unfortunately, I hadn’t foreseen Gianni’s kidnapping, but having her here as my hostage would send a clear message to whoever had sent her: mess with Gianni, and she’s gone. If she was even important to them anyway."Dante, I’m talking to you. Gianni has been kidnapped," she blurted out, her voice trembling."Shut the fuck up!" I shouted, slamming my hand on the desk.She flinched, jumping back as if the force of my words had physically hit her. I almost laughed at the sight, but the anger boiling in me wouldn’t let me. Her wide, startled eyes locked onto mine.I stood and glided across the desk, closing the distance between us in seconds. "So,
Alora's POVDante’s carefree attitude about Gianni’s kidnapping didn’t sit well with me. Could it be a prank? Was it possible he had done it just to trap me? I shook my head. No, it looked real. Nobody would hurt a little kid—their own brother—in that manner for a prank.I paced back and forth in my room, my head spinning with confusion and worry. My mind was a mess, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t sit down. My eyes kept darting back to my phone. Could Dante have put some kind of chip on it to monitor my movements? Why would he just return it out of the blue?What was going on? Gianni had been kidnapped, and yet Dante seemed to be acting like it was a normal occurrence. Maybe it was just routine in the mafia world for someone to be taken. After all, I was the only one here who wasn’t used to this lifestyle. To me, it seemed strange and unreal, but maybe that was just how things went in their world.A deep sigh escaped my lips. I just hoped to God that I was wrong—that Giann
Alora's POV I was crying again while Marco and Luciano looked at me, both panicked, a tinge of concern all over their faces. Vittoria was laughing her ass off on the couch, and Gianni still seemed unbothered, typing away on his phone while his AirPods filled his ears. Dante marched in, his face already twisted with concern and anger because he suspected what was going on. "What is it, baby?" I jumped into his arms, letting my tears soak his crisp white shirt. I felt sorry for him. He was just about to go to a gala, but at this point, I doubted he was going to go anyway. "What is it, Alora? Who? Just tell me the name." I lifted a shaky finger and pointed at both Marco and Luciano, who were shaking their heads. Once Dante’s eyes fell on them, they both pointed at each other. "It was him, not me!" "I have told you guys to stop. You're grown men, for shit's sake. You know what? You are going to get punished for this." "Wait, what? Come on, Dante, it wasn’t even that serious!" Luci
Alora's POVI still couldn't believe I had two brothers. And that Bianca was my sister. We looked nothing alike.I was chubby; she was slim. I had black hair; she had blonde. I was good. She was evil.See? Nothing alike.Marco and Luciano, too, took it upon themselves to make me miss growing up with siblings. Yep, you guessed that right—annoying me."Marco, Luciano, if you don't get out of this room, so help me God, I am going to castrate you and feed your balls to my alligator! Get out now!"Vittoria screamed, making them stop snickering and start walking toward the door with their heads bowed.Both of them had something for her—I could feel it. But she hated Luciano and tolerated Marco, according to what she had told me."Luciano, give me the brush before you leave."Marco laughed at Luciano, who pouted and brought out the comb he was hiding in his pocket. They both walked out, and I turned to Vittoria, who huffed.“These men act like children. Tell me, how are they even in the Mafi
Alora's POV"Wait, what?"The men holding Dante back stepped aside, moving backward with their heads bowed. All the men who had entered with Dad did the same, placing their guns at their sides, leaving the guests to stand up—except for a few, who I now knew were working with Dad.The elders. Not surprising."What the hell is going on? You're supposed to have them at gunpoint until I say we leave. What is happening?""What is happening is that you, Giovanni, have just been outsmarted. You thought you were the most intelligent, you thought you were the wisest, and now what? You have been reduced to nothing. Boys, you can come out now."Marco and Luciano emerged from the corner, Marco giving me a small wink and a nudge on my shoulder."I never wanted to betray you. It was all part of the plan—infiltrate him, get his men on our side, and win," he whispered to me, making me nod, though I was still dazed."Yes, sister, it was tough, but with your help, we managed to do everything as we shou
Alora's POVNo.It couldn't be.Bianca froze, same as me, and everyone else, as we watched the man I thought was my father—and whom she thought was hers—walk up to us. He had glasses on, but I knew my dad, even if I hadn't seen him for some years, thinking he was dead.His words were still ringing in my mind."One of my children."Daughters? We were his daughters? Bianca was my sister? No. I shook my head. No, it couldn't be."What the hell do you mean, Dad? What do you mean by children? Do you mean...?" Bianca trailed off, disbelief etched on her face."Of course, Bianca. You are a very intelligent girl—catch up quickly. I am your father, and I am Alora's father. Just a few years apart and two different women, and I got both of you." He explained calmly, as if discussing the weather."Wait... so, all my life, when you left saying you were going on business trips, you were with her?" Bianca cried, tears slipping from her eyes.For me, shock was all I could feel—no other emotion. He ha
Alora's POVI ran my hands over the delicate ends of the mask I was wearing. Black. Paired with a black dress, black shoes. Everything on me was black. The dress was floor-length and hugged my curves.This was never me. I don't think I had ever dressed like this before. But Vittoria said, "The sexier, the wiser." Whatever that meant.I was coming in with Luciano as his date so that no one would suspect who I really was.My black hair was covered up by a blonde wig. Everything about me had changed, and only someone who knew me extremely well would even suspect I was still the same person.Black lip gloss as well. I didn't know if I was going for a Halloween party or a masked party.This ball was by Bianca's father, Giovanni—to celebrate his daughter's engagement to the Italian mafia don. How he thought that was going to happen baffled me.Grand. Elegant. Those were the words to describe the hall. The crowds were gathered, showing off their finest. And thankfully, Vittoria's choice of m
Alora's POV"Hey, little man, don't scare us like that again," I told Gianni as soon as I sat down by his hospital bed, where he was receiving his last infusion before being discharged.All in the same house."I didn't scare you, but that scary aunt—gosh, I hate her now. She just told me she wanted to show me something, and I followed, a-and—"My heart broke alongside his voice."It's okay, it's okay, don't say any more," I whispered, trying to stop him from talking. That kind of memory should be left behind. How was it that she had planned to kill a kid? It baffled me."Are you feeling any pain? Are you strong? Do you want something? I can get anything for you."Gianni rolled his eyes. Yes, he rolled his eyes at me. Again."Come on, Alora, I'm not dying. I'm just a bit weak, but I'll sleep, and I'll get stronger when I wake up.""If you're weak again, you should eat something. Let me go get something for you, alright?""No, I won't eat now. I'll eat later. Let's just—"A knock on the
Dante's POVI strolled into the dungeon, a small smile on my face.They thought they had won. They thought we would never know. Unfortunately for them, it was too late.Luca, upon seeing me, smirked, making Carlos turn to me with a smug smile. They had been chatting as if they were in seventh heaven, not knowing what fate awaited them. Or maybe they knew, but they thought they would take my happiness away with it.Hell no."Nice to meet you again, guys. How are you coping in this beautiful place?" I asked as they dangled from the chains in the ceiling."We are enjoying it just fine, aren't we?" Carlos sneered. "Making funeral arrangements already?"They had no idea that we had caught Rosa yet, and it was going to be painfully exciting to watch them see her drown in the same way she had planned to drown Gianni. Fortunately, something had distracted her, and she left the bathroom. That was how—why—we met him still fine."Oh, no, no, no. Don't worry. There's no need for a funeral. Why sh
Alora's POVThe world was falling apart, and it was all my fault. I shouldn't have kept quiet. I should have said something. All of this would have been avoided if I hadn't been such a scaredy cat. Now lives were endangered, including Gianni's. The one person I swore to take care of.As we ran down towards Vittoria's room, as the cameras had shown us, my heart was almost beating louder than the numerous footsteps hitting hard on the floor.Since the kid hadn't placed cameras in people's rooms, well, private areas, none of us knew what we'd find there.It could be an unconscious boy. A badly beaten one or, worst-case scenario—a corpse.I would never forgive myself if he was killed because of my stupidity.My nerves spiked as we ran in. Dante kicked down the locked bathroom door and went inside. Marco held me back from following them.I was the nurse. I was the one who was supposed to go in first. I glared at him. He probably thought he was safe. Ha! There was no way I was going to keep
Dante's POVEver felt like your heart was going to be ripped out of your chest? Or that it was beating at 250 beats per minute? That was exactly how I felt as we ran down towards Gianni's room. I had been a fool.The signs were there, but I chose not to believe them. I should have been wiser. I am the Don, for goodness' sake. If anything happens to Gianni, I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive myself.The moment we barged into the room, it was all chaos, making my mind buzz even more. Clothes were scattered around, his gaming instruments lay on the floor, and blood—so much blood that I couldn't comprehend what my eyes were seeing.Worst of all, there was no Gianni in sight."Gianni? Gianni?"Silence.Utter silence. Except for the noise from the corridor as everyone ran around, trying to spot him or the shooters, if they were still around."Gianni!"Alora's voice was shaky. When I looked at her, my heart clenched even more at the sight of her red-rimmed eyes. Marco stood beside he