Forced To Be The Mafia King's Bride (by Oma Green) novel Chapter 227

Dante's POV

After lunch, I excused myself from the living area, catching Cesare's meaningful glance. I already knew what he wanted to discuss.

I found Gianna and Vera deep in conversation, laughing about something I had missed. The sight stirred an unexpected warmth in my chest.

"Gianna, pretty doll," I said, brushing my hand across her shoulder. "I need to speak with my uncle for a moment."

She looked up at me, those beautiful eyes searching mine. "Of course."

I could see the hint of uncertainty there, the slight tension in her shoulders. She knew what this conversation would be about.

I followed my uncle into his study, the heavy door shutting behind us.

Cesare moved to the bar cart without a word, pouring two fingers of whiskey into crystal glasses.

He handed me one, then settled into the chair behind his desk with a low chuckle.

"Never thought I would see the day." He shook his head as he took a sip of his drink. "Dante DeLuca turned into a lovesick puppy. So soon, too."

I took a drink, letting the whiskey burn down my throat. "I am not a puppy."

"You are something," Cesare countered, amusement dancing in his eyes. "The way you look at her, nephew. The way you spoke about her at lunch. 'She has my whole heart.'" He mimicked my voice, grinning.

I grinned, refusing to back down. "She does."

"I know." Cesare's expression shifted, becoming more serious. "That is what concerns me."

I lowered myself into the chair across from him, meeting his gaze directly. "Why does it concern you?"

"Because you swore you would never let anyone get close again," Cesare said quietly. "After what Lorenzo did to Esme, you shut yourself off completely. You became a weapon, nothing more. And now..."

He gestured toward the door, toward where Gianna was. "Now you are head over heels for Lorenzo Giovanni's daughter."

The irony was not lost on me.

"In life, certain things happen that are beyond our control."

"This, I have to confess, I didn't see coming." Cesare leaned back in his chair, studying me. "Do you remember what you told me after we buried Esme? You said you would never give Lorenzo the satisfaction of taking another woman you loved. That you would rather die alone than hand him that power."

I remembered every word I had said that day, standing over my wife's grave, rage and grief tearing me apart from the inside.

"I meant it at the time."

"And now?"

"Now I found Gianna." I took another drink. "She is not Esme. This is different."

"How?"

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