Forced To Be The Mafia King's Bride (by Oma Green) novel Chapter 154

Dante's POV

"What?" I stared at Bruno, fury and disbelief flooding through me. Who would dare such a thing on a day like this? "How the fuck did that happen?"

Gianna's hand tightened in mine.

"Wait, how is that possible?" She looked between us. "I thought the entire estate security was heavily guarded."

Bruno cleared his throat. "With respect, Gianna, I think Don, perhaps we should discuss this privately, so as not to upset the bride on such an important day."

I glanced at her, seeing the concern in her eyes, but also something else. Gianna wasn't cowering or falling apart. She was ready to face whatever this was.

"No." Gianna straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin. "If I'm going to be the mafia queen, then I need to be involved in everything. No secrets. No protection from the truth."

Bruno's eyes widened slightly, and he looked to me for approval.

Pride swelled in my chest. My fearless wife wanted to stick by my side.

I nodded once. "You heard what she said."

Bruno's expression shifted to respect. He tapped the iPad screen, swiping through security footage. "The breach was detected about twenty minutes ago. The motion sensors activated, but when the guards checked the perimeter and the hallways, they found nothing. No signs of forced entry, no disturbance."

I leaned closer as he showed me the footage. A figure moved through the corridor, heading toward my office. The camera angle made it hard to tell, but the shape looked like a woman.

"Only you and I have access to that office." My voice dropped low. "Every guest here tonight was vetted. No one gets into the main house without clearance."

"I know, Don."

"So either someone got past our security, or this is an inside job."

The thought made my blood run cold. Tonight, of all nights.

I turned to Gianna, cupping her face in my hands. Her skin was warm beneath my palms, her eyes searching mine.

"Listen to me, pretty doll." My thumb stroked her cheek. "I need to handle this. I need you to stay here where it's safe."

"Dante—"

"Please." I pressed my forehead to hers, breathing her in. "I can't focus if I'm worried about you. Let me take care of this, and I'll be back soon."

She searched my face for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Okay. But be careful."

I pulled her flush against me, one hand sliding to the small of her back, the other tangling in her hair. I claimed her mouth in a deep, possessive kiss that left us both breathless.

When I finally pulled back, I kept her close, my lips brushing against her ear. "When I come back, tesoro, we're going to finish what we started. And I'm going to make you scream my name so loud, everyone in this estate will know exactly who you belong to."

Her breath hitched, her fingers curling into my shirt. "Promise?"

"That's a promise." I kissed her once more, hard and fast.”

I forced myself to step back, immediately feeling the loss of her warmth.

"Bruno, get Alfonso to stand guard here. And call Mira to keep Gianna company."

"Already done, Don." Bruno was already speaking into his earpiece, issuing commands.

Within seconds, Alfonso appeared, positioning himself near Gianna. Mira hurried over moments later, her expression concerned as she moved to Gianna's side.

I caught Gianna's eyes one more time, holding her gaze. "I'll be back soon."

She nodded, but I could see the worry flickering in her eyes.

Then I turned and walked toward the exit, Bruno falling into step beside me. The crowd parted as we passed, their celebrations dying on their lips. Eyes followed us, whispers and shock trailing in our wake.

"I want the entire perimeter surrounded." My voice dropped low as soon as we were out of earshot. "Call all units. Every car and guest must be searched before leaving. No one goes anywhere until I say so."

Bruno spoke rapidly into his headset. "All units, this is Code Red. Possible intruder on the premises. Full lockdown, effective immediately. No one enters or exits without Don Moretti's direct authorization."

"Extra security for Arielle." My voice hardened. "I need to know she's safe in her room."

Bruno relayed the order, then pressed his finger to his earpiece, listening. After a moment, he nodded. "Clear for Arielle. She's safe. Two guards posted at her door, two at the hallway entrance."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

My daughter and wife were safe. That's all that mattered. I would handle the bastard that dared to cross me and ruin this night.

We moved quickly through the corridors, my mind racing through possibilities. An inside job meant someone close to me. Someone I trusted had betrayed me.

The thought made my hands curl into fists.

When we reached my office, I stopped, studying the door. It looked undisturbed. No scratches around the lock. No signs of forced entry.

I moved to the window, staring out at the dark grounds. The estate stretched before me, beautiful and deadly. Somewhere out there, or perhaps still inside, was someone who had dared to challenge me.

Who are you? I thought grimly. And what did you want?

A soft sound behind me made me spin, my hand flying to my weapon.

Nothing.

I scanned the room again, my senses on high alert. Every instinct I'd honed over years of survival in this brutal world told me something was wrong.

And then I heard it again. A soft, almost imperceptible sound.

Breathing.

Someone was in this room with me.

My eyes swept the space with renewed intensity, and that's when I saw it, a slight shadow behind my desk, just barely visible in the dim light.

I drew my weapon in one smooth motion, training it on the spot. "Come out. Now."

Silence.

"I said come out, or I start shooting."

Movement. Slow. Hesitant.

And then a figure rose from behind the desk.

My entire body went rigid with shock.

"Selene?"

Not this. Not tonight. Not fucking now.

She stood there, completely naked, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders, her eyes glassy and unfocused. The smell of alcohol hit me even from across the room.

Of course it was Selene. Who else would pull something this insane?

"Cristo santo." I immediately averted my eyes, turning my back to her. "What the fuck are you doing here? In my office? Naked?"