Dante's POVIs it possible for a man to feel butterflies in his stomach? Because if not, then I need to see a doctor as soon as possible. The minute our lips touched, I felt a warm simmer in my veins, taking my breath away.Even though I was the one who initiated the kiss, I froze for a few seconds before moving against her lips. All her struggles ceased as she lost herself in the moment—a moment I didn’t want to end.I bit her bottom lip, trying to assert dominance, and Alora let out a moan that sent a rush of heat to my groin. Fucking hell. Even Bianca could never bring out a response from me like this. What is this little nurse doing to me?After a minute, I reluctantly pulled away from her but leaned my forehead against hers, her warm breath hitting my face.I used my finger to pull away some strands of her hair from her face, then in a swift movement, lifted her to sit with her legs on both sides of me. She gasped, her legs hitting m
Alora's POVDante didn't look okay. Whatever had been said to him on the phone had made him pale before letting out a string of curse words while tugging at his hair. When he and Luca exchanged glances and then stared at me, my heart lurched.Whatever had happened, it involved me. Cautiously, I asked, "What's going on, Dante? You don't look okay."He didn't immediately respond but held me by the waist and pulled me towards him. Once I was wrapped in his warmth, he uttered the words that had goosebumps erupting along my skin as a shiver crept down my spine."Alora. I want you to be calm, okay? We are going to handle everything, and all will be well.""What do you mean by that? Why should I be calm? I'm already very calm. Is there a reason for me not to be?" The questions tumbled out of my lips as I detached myself from his arms and gazed at him with curiosity etched on my face."Just know that all will be well, okay?"I hated this, going around in circles instead of just saying what wa
Alora's POVMy heart was pounding, my palms getting sweaty. I tried to scream but was stopped by the man's hand landing on my mouth."Shhh. You don't want to attract the wrong attention now, do you?"My eyes, which were closed due to fear, snapped open, and a smile broke out on my face as I looked into the eyes of my brother."Luciano, what the hell? We've been looking everywhere for you. Are you crazy? Disappearing out of the blue. Come on, let's go. The others have been worried sick for no good reason. Don't try this again, brother. It's hella annoying."The words spilled out of my mouth faster than I could control. I was relieved, knowing that my brother wasn't kidnapped and probably being tortured somewhere."Alora, listen. I have a lot to tell you."Luciano whispered, cutting off my words. He sounded worried, and my doubts were confirmed when he moved towards the open window and pulled the curtains together, causing the room to descend into pitch darkness."Luciano, what's going
Alora's POV"You were looking for me, Don?" Alfonso muttered, strolling towards where I stood with Dante, an aura of authority radiating from him. I think the only people who weren't fazed were Dante, Vittoria, Marco, and me.The rest of the men bowed their heads and stepped backward to make way for him to pass through. Uh-oh. This means he's a highly respected mafia man. Will they believe me if I tell them the truth?"Where were you, Alfonso? I sent you to be with Alora for her protection, and yet you left her alone? How could you be so reckless?"Alfonso glared at me before bowing his head. "I'm sorry, Don. I had an emergency and needed to use the restroom. I pleaded for her to wait for me, but she ran off by the time I came outside."What the hell? He's lying so confidently. Such a stupid lie, I know nobody's gonna believe him.Or maybe I was wrong. Because Dante's head snapped to my face, his eyes growing darker. "Alora, why would you do that? Your brother is missing, and you go a
Dante's POVAs the cars disappeared in the distance, I turned to Marco, whose eyes I had noticed on me the whole time. Vittoria was standing by him too, both staring at me with twisted faces."What?" I asked in an annoyed tone, feeling frustration biting at my chest.They both exchanged a glance before turning to me. Marco cleared his throat. "Don, I don't know what to say, but I don't feel too okay about this."I quirked a brow, nodding for him to explain himself."What Marco is trying to say is that, um... well, do you think Alora is lying? What if she isn't?"My gaze drifted to Alfonso, who was standing and talking with some of the men in a corner. I observed him for quite a while, as if I could decipher if he was guilty from just looking at him.As if noticing my gaze, he turned towards us, and his usual stoic expression transformed into a smile—a rare sight he only showed to his close friends."Hello, everyone. What's going on?" he asked, moving to place a hand over Vittoria's sh
Alora's POVIf someone had told me that on the day I discovered some of my family's deepest secrets, I'd also lose my life, I’d never have accepted it. I’d have laughed in their faces and told them to get a life.But here it was happening right in front of me. I couldn’t save myself. I couldn’t even scream because Alfonso’s large hand was placed firmly over my mouth, muffling my cries. I tried to bite, but his grip was so tight I could barely feel my teeth.“Shhh, don’t scream. I like my girls screaming only when I’m buried deep inside them, my darling Vittoria. So be quiet, honey.”I froze, my eyes filled with unshed tears, bulging wide open. Vittoria? He just called me Vittoria. I couldn’t have made a mistake. What in the world is going on?“Oh darling, I love how you’re quiet now. Very obedient. Very nice. I’m going to take my hand off your mouth, okay? Promise not to scream?”I didn’t respond, still in too much shock to grasp what was going on. Alfonso didn’t like my silence becau
Dante's POV.Rage.Fear.Which one was I feeling? I had no idea, but one thing was sure: I was going to murder Alfonso this night. Friendship be damned.His audacity, though, was the least of my problems. Not when my woman was bleeding out, slumped against the wall, while he stood over her like someone who had the ultimate power. His eyes had gone round as he stared at me, his lips parted."Dante? You're here. I'm so happy," he said. "You will never believe what Alora did. Oh my God, she tried to attack me when I came to her room to ask why she lied." He tried to explain himself. By lying.However, I was done being foolish. My foolishness had almost cost Alora's life. Never again would I do that. So I pushed him out of the way and walked past, lifting her into my arms and rushing out of the room, to the medical bay, where Vittoria was already shouting orders at the staff.It's a good thing Alora expressed this idea to me—to have medics stay here—because what would have happened now? I
Alora's POV Maybe I should have responded to him. He wouldn't have tried to come closer. Now he has found my evidence of trying to run away. It's all there, clear. There's nothing to say about it. So, instead of acting scared or panicked, I just turned my face back, gazing out the window into the dark blue sky that had descended upon the afternoon. "Alora, what's going on?" Dante finally asked after a long and painfully silent moment where I could feel him staring at me. I pretended to be deep in thought, all the while still staring out the window. He already has the proof. Why is he asking me what is going on? It's obvious. "Alora, please answer me. What's the meaning of all this? Were you, by any chance, planning to leave?" Oh, Dante. "Leave" is a very easy word for what I was planning to do. If only he knew that I am going to take Gianni with me one way or another. Even if I have to kidnap the kid, I'm doing it. Seeing that my silence was only going to make him ask more ques
Alora's POVI was already anticipating them storming into my hiding place and tying me up, but when I heard Carlos asking Gianni if he had seen me, I knew there was still hope.However, Carlos being in Gianni's room made my stomach churn. He was going to terrorize the poor kid. Or maybe I was wrong because each time he asked a question, Gianni would just give a sassy answer in return.That's my boy.Finally, Carlos had his men search a little and leave Gianni's room.I almost banged on the wall for him to open up so I could check if he was okay when I heard Carlos, now whispering..."Little demon, you are going to fix all this. Or maybe leave it. And if your brother asks you what happened in here, you are going to tell him you were just throwing a tantrum because nobody paid you any attention."Despite the fear bubbling in my stomach, I rolled my eyes. What stupid plan was that? Gianni was no kid who threw tantrums. Dante won't believe that shit."You don’t tell him we came in here, o
Chapter 96Alora's POVI held the weapon in my trembling hand, my heart racing. It wasn't like they were going to die with what I would do, but maybe they would sleep a little bit.The nurse was supposed to walk into my room any time now to administer my medication. I heard the doctor telling her he would take something from the medical bay. Everything was working in my favor.As she got closer to the bed with the sedative, I brought mine up faster, stabbing it straight into her arm and pressing the plunger. She screamed—all useless, though.Carlos had lured out Dante and the others, perfect timing for me. He didn't know he had done me a huge favor. Hopefully, no guards were in the corridor, or else I'd be a goner.The drug didn't take long to work, which meant they were probably using a very good one. This is the mafia, after all. I hid behind the door, waiting patiently for my next target.He walked in, whistling a tune. To think I admired this doctor—one of the best in the field. W
Alora's POV“Doctor, what do you mean?“ I heard Dante's growl as soon as my eyelids fluttered open.“She just isn't feeling well. It happens to people all the time. You know, we can't know what's wrong with her until we get test results. It could be malaria or something.“What...? I exhibited no symptoms of malaria... Do we even have malaria here?Dante seemed to share my thoughts because he asked, "Malaria? Like, hell, does this look like the tropics, stupido?""Don, everything is possible. Let's just wait to get the results.""Calm down, Dante. Just chill.""What the hell do you mean by chill, Luca?"My eyes flew open at the mention of the name.“Alora came ramping in here looking like she had just escaped from a ghost’s grip. You needed to see her, man. Marco, tell him. I thought you were her friend. You should be concerned.""Of course, I'm concerned," Luca responded. "I'm concerned, okay? But worrying like this is not going to make her any better. Let's just calm down and wait fo
Chapter 94Alora's POV“What?" I asked Carlos again, hoping I'd heard him wrong. "What did you say?""I said... Um... I want you to forgive Rosa, okay? For saying things about you. She's probably just tired... That's how she's always been. When she doesn't know someone, she... she tends to be rude.“He was lying. I'd heard him well the first time. But I couldn't be stupid. It was time to leave."Okay, thank you. I'll be going now," I said, already turning to continue my trip to Dante's room."Wait, I have a question to ask you."For shit’s sake, couldn't he let me be?"What is it?""Did you, by any chance... you know... overhear... a conversation you shouldn't have?"I froze, my face paling. Dang it. He was onto me. I fisted my palms so tight I almost drew blood."W-what?" I let out, thankful that my stutter was almost inaudible."I asked if, uh... you overheard a conversation you shouldn't have. Maybe you were passing by... and you heard voices and decided to check on whether Luca wa
Alora's POVNo time to spend thinking of where to go. I dashed down the vacant hallway. Just as I rounded the corner, I heard the creak of a door as it opened. I didn't continue running because I knew the pounding of my feet on the floor would alert them that I really was there."Come on, man. I'm not sure there's anybody there.""Are you sure you heard someone?" Rosa asked Carlos."I didn't hear, but I saw something that looked like a shadow, and it's no longer there. There was someone."My breathing came out harsh in gasps, and I knew I had to make a getaway before one of them screwed me over."I really doubt there's anybody here. Alora is sleeping with Dante, and these other rooms are all vacant for now since the men are cleaning up. Let's just forget this, Mom and Carlos.""Well, I do hope you're right, and nobody heard what we were saying. Now, remember to do your work well this time. Come on, darling. Let's go."My eyes bulged. Shit, they're coming this way.No, no, no, no, no.
Alora's POV"I love this position, babygirl. Maybe we can make it our favorite?" Dante whispered only for me to hear, letting out a wink.Realizing just how close we were in front of others—who would never stop teasing me—I jumped down from his arms, almost injuring my knee in the process."Did you get it? Tell me you got it," I heard Vittoria exclaim.When I turned to face her, I noticed her and Marco chuckling among themselves while he held out his phone.Get what... Could it be a picture? Oh, hell no!"Give me that!" I jumped, trying to seize the phone, but Marco just held it higher, tossing it toward Luca, who caught it. By the time I could get to him, Vittoria had it in her hands, waving it."Don't worry, Alora, we won't do much with it. We'll just use it on your wedding day to embarrass both of you. Calm down."My frustration grew even more, and I tried harder to get on my tiptoes to grab the picture. Damn, why is she so tall? Plus, the boots she was wearing weren’t making it an
Chapter 91Alora's POVLife in the mafia was as unpredictable as could get. One would be sleeping peacefully, dreaming of how she was cuddling with the mafia don while he planted kisses on her cheeks as he watched her sleep. And the next minute, she is being whisked away to a safehouse because there’s been an attack on the main mansion.The first gunshot sounded like it was in my dream. The second set a tremor to my chest and the third had me awake and panting like I’d run five miles.Dante wasted no time in pulling me up from the bed and out of the room, down to his office.By the time we got there, Gianni was already there with Luca and a group of dangerous men, eyes blazing hot and ready for battle. How fast did they move from the other hallway to here? Were they anticipating this?"Keep them safe, Luca, and come right out," Dante ordered.Luca nodded and motioned for us to follow him. I cast one glance at Dante, seeing him filling his gun with bullets. His eyes rose to meet mine,
Dante's POV"Damn, Dante, you failed, man. You failed big time. In this one, you were a big-ass failure."Marco repeated for the fifteenth time on the other side of the table. Luca smirked, and Vittoria snickered."I won't fail at shooting right through your eyes. Wanna test how good I am at that?"Marco raised his hands in mock surrender, stifling a laugh. "Chill, man. It just—""What the hell is wrong with you guys? I didn't fail. I did exactly what you asked me to do, which is rare because I don't take orders for no shit.""You don't take orders, Dante. We know that. I didn't order you. All I said was, act like Alora doesn't matter much to you. How hard could that be? If I was told to act like Marco didn't matter to me, hell, I would do that and score 100%. Not that he even matters to me," Vittoria said.Marco picked up a magazine and chucked it at her head. She caught it and shot back, leading him to do the same and almost starting a fight if I hadn’t caught the thing mid-air."Yo
Alora's POVI didn't know whether I was more shocked than Vittoria and Marco by Dante's revelation. For a moment, nothing seemed to move in the room. It seemed even the man who was grunting on the floor had stopped as we all tried to understand what had just been said.Dante, on the other hand, didn't look like he knew what he had said. Instead, his arms went back around me, holding me as if he was scared I would run off. Well, that was the plan, of course, because it's not every day a mafia boss tells you he loves you.Like, what?For goodness' sake, this guy hated me, right? It was obvious in his every action that he hated me, so why would he say he loves me? Gosh, I was so confused, and I was experiencing it firsthand."Uh, Dante? We have someone on the floor." Vittoria finally intervened, making me give her a nod of gratitude because I was lost.Dante turned. The softened eyes that had been glancing at me every so often to make sure I was fine disappeared. His expression darkened,