Forced To Be The Mafia King's Bride (by Oma Green) novel Chapter 199

Dante's POV

Roberto exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"You're asking me to gamble everything. My reputation. My business. My life. Word gets out I'm a snitch, no one will deal with me again. Long-term partnerships could be affected."

"It won't come from you." Cesare's tone was reassuring. "We'll stage it to look like a proper ambush. Lorenzo has enemies everywhere. Sooner or later someone was going to catch him. It just happens to be us."

Roberto leaned back, skepticism etched across his face.

"And if someone talks? If one of Lorenzo's men survives and figures out I set him up?"

"They won't." My voice was cold. "Because none of them will survive. We'll make sure of it."

"You can't guarantee that." Roberto's jaw tightened. "One mistake, one loose end, and I'm done."

"You're overthinking this." Cesare leaned forward slightly. "Lorenzo operates alone for now. He doesn't trust anyone. He has no close allies, no one who would defend him or investigate too deeply. He's isolated himself. That's his weakness."

"And," I added, my voice hardening, "I've put out a bounty on him. Every mercenary, every hired gun in Europe is looking for him. If you don't help us, someone else will find him eventually. And when they do, they'll collect. This way, you profit twice. From the deal with us and from staying alive."

Roberto was quiet. His jaw worked as he turned the words over in his mind.

"What's your offer?"

Cesare leaned forward, his expression thoughtful.

"We pay you for the weapons Lorenzo ordered. Full price. You keep the weapons, resell them, then double your profit."

Roberto's eyes narrowed.

"And what else?"

"An alliance." I held his gaze. "The DeLuca family. Our resources and protection. Access to new markets and clients. Whatever you need, you name it."

"Money isn't the issue." Roberto shook his head. "It's the principle. My reputation is built on discretion. On trust. Clients know that when they deal with me, their business stays private. If I betray Lorenzo..."

"Lorenzo is a dead man walking." I cut him off. "With or without you. The question is whether you want to be on the winning side or the side that gets buried with him."

Roberto's eyes locked on mine.

"You're that confident?"

"I'm that determined." The rage in my voice filled the room, echoing off the walls. "Lorenzo took everything from me. I will find him. I will kill him. And I will burn down anyone who stands in my way."

Roberto studied me. I could see the wheels turning in his head. He was weighing the risks and rewards. The future of his business.

"If I agree," Roberto said slowly, "it has to be clean. No trail back to me. No witnesses. No loose ends."

"Done."

"And I want insurance." Roberto continued. "If this goes south, if my name gets dragged into this, I need guarantees that your family and your men will protect me."

Cesare nodded.

"You have my word."

Roberto glanced between us, his expression still guarded.

"This is a lot to consider. A lot of risk."

"And a lot of reward." I leaned back slightly. "You help us, and you'll have the DeLuca family in your debt. That's worth more than any shipment of guns."

Roberto exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

"I need time to think about it."

"How much time?" Impatience bled into my voice.

"Tomorrow. It's my son's birthday. There's a party at my estate. Come. We'll talk then. I'll give you my answer."

This was getting frustrating. Tomorrow. Another day Lorenzo walked free. Another day my wife's killer breathed.

Cesare placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm.

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