Forced To Be The Mafia King's Bride (by Oma Green) novel Chapter 226

Anna's POV

An hour later, we were finally dressed. I wore a soft cream dress, and Dante had chosen dark slacks and a fitted black shirt that hugged his muscled frame perfectly.

My hair was still damp, curling wildly around my shoulders, but I had given up trying to tame it.

"Hungry?" Dante asked, his hand finding the small of my back as we headed toward the door.

"Starving," I admitted. "I think we burned about a million calories last night."

He smirked. "At least. Come on, let's feed you before you fade away."

We made our way downstairs, his hand never leaving me.

My legs still felt shaky, my body deliciously sore in places I had never been sore before.

Dante kept his hand on the small of my back, guiding me with that protective touch I was growing addicted to.

As we entered the dining room, Vera looked up from where she sat at the table, a knowing smile already playing on her lips.

"Well, well," she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "We thought you both wouldn't come down at all."

Cesare sat at the head of the table, his expression more serious than his wife's, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes too. "Nice of you both to show your faces for lunch."

The mocking tone made my cheeks flush hot.

Vera's curious gaze shifted between us, almost as if she could read through everything that had happened between Dante and me.

As though she could see the marks his hands had left on my body, the way he had claimed me completely.

Dante guided me to the seats, then pulled out my chair with easy grace, his fingers brushing my shoulder as I sat.

"Good afternoon," I managed, my voice coming out smaller than I intended.

Vera's smile widened. She definitely knew.

Dante took the seat beside me, his thigh pressing against mine under the table.

The contact sent a shiver through me, my body still hyper-aware of him after last night.

Cesare leaned back in his chair, his gaze moving between us. "Welcome back to the land of the living."

He looked directly at me, his tone softer. "You look rather radiant." Then his expression became more serious. "Although I am mad at your husband for letting his emotions get the best of him last night."

My heart rate spiked. He was talking about the scene from last night.

Dante's body tensed beside me, his hand finding mine under the table. "I had no choice."

"You always have a choice," Cesare countered, though there was no real anger in his voice, more like exasperation. "Dante, you of all people should know how to control your emotions, not let them get the best of you. Make tactical decisions to have your revenge properly."

"Tactical decisions be damned," Dante shot back.

He turned to look at me, and the intensity in his grey eyes made my breath catch. "No one dares touch her. No one puts their hands on what is mine. I do not care what deal it costs, what alliance it breaks. She is mine to protect, and I will burn down anyone who tries to hurt her."

The raw declaration hung in the air between us.

My heart swelled in my chest at the devotion in his eyes and words.

Cesare let out a huff as he shook his head slowly, but there was almost fondness in the gesture. "Oh, boy. Lorenzo's daughter has done a number on you."

"She is a DeLuca now. That part of her life is done," Dante countered. His fingers tightened around mine. "You are right though. She has my whole heart."

I could not miss Cesare and Vera's shocked expressions, their gazes fixed on me in wonder, like they could not quite believe the hold I had on him.

Cesare leaned forward slightly. "What have you done to my nephew overnight?"

I opened my mouth, trying to find the right words, but nothing came out.

My cheeks burned as I stared down at my empty plate, but I could not stop the small smile that tugged at my lips. The way Dante looked at me and spoke about me was everything I had never known I wanted.

Vera cut in, her voice warm with amusement. "Cesare, love. They are clearly head over heels for each other. Let them be."

"The feeling seems mutual too," I declared.

He paused, then looked directly at me. "I hope it is. My nephew here has given up a lot to be with you. Do not betray us."

"I have promised before," I said quietly but firmly. "This family has my loyalty and would..." I glanced at Dante briefly, then added, "always come first."

Cesare pushed further. "As you know, talk is cheap. The moment will come when we will put this loyalty to the test."

"Uncle, I trust Gianna, and that is all that matters."

"Nephew," Cesare murmured.

But Vera cut him off. "Oh, Cesare. This is not an interrogation. I thought we were past that when you first met Gianna. You heard Dante. She is family. Treat her as such."

She caught my eye and winked. "It is lunch. Let them eat."

Cesare waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. We will pick this up later. Just you and I, Dante."

Dante's gaze shifted across the table. "Thanks, Vera. We are starving."

I nodded gratefully.

They all chuckled.

I burst out laughing, the sound bubbling up from my chest. "Three hours?"

"I was committed to my mission," Dante said dryly, though I could see the slight curve of his lips.

Cesare stood abruptly.

Vera asked, "What is wrong, dear?"

Dante joined in, his brow furrowed with concern.

Cesare smiled and said, "I have something that will make this more interesting."

"Hmm," Dante said slowly, as though going through ideas in his head. "Uncle, do not do what I think you are about to..."

Before he could finish, Cesare returned holding a photo album.

"I found this a year ago," Cesare announced triumphantly, holding it up.

"Absolutely not," Dante protested.

"I would love to see baby Dante," I said eagerly. "Before he became this intimidating man."

Vera grinned. "He was certainly the cutest baby. Those big grey eyes and chubby cheeks."

Dante tried to reach for it, but I was too quick, pulling the album toward me.

"Oh my God," I breathed, staring at a photo of a tiny Dante in a white christening gown. "He is adorable."

"I was not adorable," Dante protested.

"You absolutely were," Vera countered. "Look at those cheeks."

I giggled, my fingers tracing the edge of one photo where a young Dante was scowling at the camera. "You look exactly the same, just smaller."

The next hour passed in a blur of laughter and stories.

Photo after photo revealed a childhood I could barely imagine. Dante at birthday parties, scowling even while covered in cake. Another image of him attempting to look tough in a tiny suit.

Each image made my heart squeeze.

The lunch continued like that, warm and easy and filled with laughter.

I felt myself relaxing, the tension from the morning, from everything that had happened, slowly fading away.

This felt like a real family.