Forced To Be The Mafia King's Bride (by Oma Green) novel Chapter 181

DANTE'S POV

"Finally." Caesar spread his arms wide, rising from behind his desk. "The men are alone. Sit, nephew. Let's catch up."

I dropped into the chair across from his desk, stretching my legs out in front of me. "You look well. Vera's taking care of you."

He laughed, the sound booming in the space as he settled back into his chair. "That woman. Best thing that ever happened to me."

Seven years ago, my uncle had been a different man. The black sheep of the DeLuca family, reckless and wild, sworn to stay a bachelor forever. Then he met Vera and everything changed overnight. She was younger and beautiful, and somehow managed to make him want to settle down. He still loved his gold and his lavish lifestyle, but now he seemed more focused and put together.

We'd stayed close even after he left the family to build his own empire here in Monaco. Weekly calls, visits when we could manage them. He was more than an uncle. He was a mentor.

"How's everything back home?" Caesar leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "Running the family treating you well?"

I nodded. "Can't complain. Territories are secure. Men are loyal."

"And married life?" His eyes gleamed with amusement as he leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. "How does it feel to have a wife again?"

I shifted in my seat, rubbing the back of my neck. "It's been a few days. Ask me in a few months."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair enough."

I stood and walked to the window, running my hand along the frame. Glancing around the room, I couldn't help but smile. Gold everywhere. "I see you still have that insane obsession with gold."

"It's not an obsession." He tapped his fingers on the armrest. "It's a statement. When I was young, my father told me gold was power. The man who controls the gold controls everything. I never forgot that."

He paused, his gaze sharpening as he looked at me. "Your father must have told you that story too."

I remembered the lesson vividly. My father had always believed in gold as savings and investment, kept safe in a vault, not on display for the world to see. My uncle, well, Cesare had his own way of doing things, and so far it had worked out well for him.

"He did. You've certainly got it under control here." I turned back to face him, crossing my arms. "Your territories. Everything. Monaco's yours."

"Every inch of it." Pride rang in his voice as he sat straighter. "Which is why I'm still perplexed at how you thought you could slip into my city without me knowing."

I walked back toward the chair, a grin tugging at my lips. "You got me this time. But don't get comfortable. I'm plotting my revenge."

"I'll be ready." He pointed at me, his eyes twinkling.

The banter felt good and familiar. But I didn't come here just to joke around.

I sat back down, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. "As much as I'm here for the honeymoon, I'm also here for business. Something important."

Caesar straightened in his seat, dropping his hands to the desk. "Sit down properly. You need to speak no further."

I frowned, settling back into the chair. "What do you mean?"

"I know exactly why you're here."

"How?"

He smiled, that arrogant smile I knew so well, spreading his hands wide.

"Nephew, you know I know everything. Everything that happens in your territory, in mine, everywhere. I'm still a DeLuca, even if I left the family. I have eyes and ears in places you'd never expect."

I gripped the armrests tight. "Are you telling me I have a mole?"

"Not a mole." He waved his hand dismissively. "Just men who remember where they came from. Men who are loyal to me because I was there when they needed someone. You forget, I'm your father's brother. I may have been the black sheep, but I still have connections. Loyal men who keep me informed."

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