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?"

"You are sure about that?"

"I cannot be too certain about that bastard." I took another drink. "But my guess is Lorenzo's ego would not allow it. She carries his name, his bloodline. In his twisted mind, she belongs to him. He will come for her, yes. He will try to drag her back. But he will not kill her."

Cesare nodded slowly. "That makes sense. Men like Lorenzo, their pride is often their greatest weakness."

"Exactly."

"Still," Cesare continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "That brings us to another matter we need to discuss."

I waited.

"Gianna," he said carefully.

"I need to know where she stands, Dante. Truly." Cesare's expression was serious now, all traces of amusement gone. "She was raised by Lorenzo. She spent her entire life as his daughter. Blood runs deep, and I need to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that her allegiance is to this family now, to us, not to her father."

"It is."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I know her." I met his gaze directly. "I have seen what Lorenzo did to her, Uncle. She hates him. She fears him. But more than that, she wants to be free of him. And she knows the only way that happens is if we destroy him completely."

"Fear and hate can be complicated emotions," Cesare said quietly. "They do not always translate to action when the moment comes. What if Lorenzo gets to her? What if he manipulates her, plays on that blood connection?"