Chapter 37: All hail the new Mafia King
Dante’s POV
Augusto lifted his chin, chest swelling with arrogant pride, shoulders back as though triumph was already written. But one by one, the heads of the clans kept their hands flat on the table. Not a single hand rose. Not one. The silence was deafening.
Augusto lurched to his feet, eyes wide, his face burning red as the betrayal sank in. “You cowards!” he yelled, scanning the table. “You’d betray me? All of you?”
“Augusto…” Luto’s voice cut through the hall. He raised his hand, palm out, the gesture commanding silence.” Enough. You know the rules. No one challenges the vote of any clan member, or they risk being thrown out midway.”
“The old man’s right,” Othega chimed in, his tone flat. “You know the rules, Augusto. I suggest you wait until the end.”
Augusto’s finger jabbed toward him. “Even you, Othega? You’re part of this?”
Othega only dipped his head, voice calm. “Rules are rules. Luto, please… proceed.”
Augusto vibrated with fury, his whole frame trembling as if ready to explode. But after a long moment, he dropped back into his chair.
“My apologies,” Luto said smoothly, his gaze cutting across the table. “For the rude and uncultured distraction of a sore loser.”
A low growl rattled in Augusto’s throat, but he held his peace as laughter broke around the table.
I watched in delight. Augusto had finally learned what Lorenzo never did, that loyalty was cheap. They’d sold themselves to his money and false promises before. Now I held every piece of leverage. Every card that could destroy them completely. They would never risk going against our bargain.
The Luto patriarch lifted his voice once more. “And now… all in favor of Dante De Luca, rightful Mafia King, heir of the De Luca line, who ruled us in peace for twenty years…”
Hands shot up around the table at once, unanimous, every face lit with eager smiles.
I smirked, taking my time as I stepped forward and lowered myself into the head chair, the throne that had always been mine. Gia was still at my side. She looked uncertain, confusion written all over her face, but when I extended my hand, she placed hers in mine. I guided her down and helped her into the seat beside me, her presence a constant display of power.
Luto’s voice thundered through the chamber. “All hail our new Mafia King… Don Dante De Luca!”
The room erupted, applause, clapping, even cheers. Glasses lifted high as voices rang out.
“All hail Don Dante De Luca!”
Across the table, Augusto’s chair screeched violently across the floor as he sprang up, his rage spilling over.
“You’ll pay for this!” he bellowed. “All of you! You sold your loyalty, for what? After everything I’ve done for
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Chapter 37 All hail the new Mafia King
+25 Bonus
each one of you, how dare you betray me like this?”
His furious glare locked onto me. “Tell me, Dante, how long have you been plotting behind my back, hm?”
I leaned forward, my gaze cutting into him, furious. “Stop acting like a sore little brat. Sit down. Or face my wrath here and now.”
His hands gripped the table so tightly his knuckles turned white. For a heartbeat, I thought he would lunge at me, but fear won. Slowly, trembling with rage, Augusto sank back into his chair, seething.
“Good boy,” I taunted, my lips curling into a smirk.
I straightened in my seat, shoulders squared, demeanor unshakable. I reached for a waiting glass, a server immediately rushing to fill it with dark red wine. I raised it in my hand.
“From this moment, it is a new reign. In the past, my kindness was mistaken for weakness. No more. I demand loyalty from each and every one of you. Failure will earn my wrath. Are we clear?”
“Yes, Don De Luca,” the voices answered in a single chorus of fear and obedience.
The weight of my words still lingered when Othega shifted uncomfortably in his chair, clearing his throat. His eyes moved toward Gia.
“We see you’ve brought Lorenzo’s daughter with you. We heard rumors… that you bought her at Vincenzo’s auction. Is she your whore or… mistress…..”
I noticed Gianna tense beside me; irritation and anger contorted her face, and it repulsed me that anyone would speak to her that way, especially with me sitting right there. I slammed my hand onto the table, the sound rattling the glasses as every eye snapped to me and my voice roared across the room.
“Watch your tongue, Othega. Don’t forget, she is the heir to Lorenzo’s assets. And my woman now. She is under the Mafia King’s protection. Spread the word. No one speaks against her, and no one touches her. Every bounty on her head dies tonight. She is under my protection. Is that clear?”
I stretched out my hand to Gia. Her eyes flashed with shock that I defended her. But slowly, she placed her hand in mine. I caught the way she swallowed back words, the way she didn’t argue. For once, she obeyed.
“Good girl,” I whispered low, just for her. She flashed me the fakest smile I’d ever seen, which only made me smirk, exactly as I expected.
Othega raised both hands in surrender. “Forgive me, Don. I meant no disrespect. If she is yours, then it is settled. By her, the bloodlines of De Luca and Giovanni unite. None can oppose your throne now.”
Glasses clinked, wine poured, toasts lifted.
“To Don Dante De Luca,” voices cried together. “The rightful Mafia King!”
I lifted my own cup, bringing it near my lips. But I didn’t drink. I didn’t trust a single bastard at that table. After a long moment, I set it back down, untouched.
My eyes fixed on Augusto, savoring the way his face darkened across the table. There I sat on my throne, Gianna Giovanni at my side, knowing the empire was mine again.
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Chapter 37 All hail the new Mafia King
+25 Bonus
Victory. It felt good to taste it again. The meeting was over, the clan heads had gone, and the silence they left behind was the sweetest sound I’d heard in years. My plan was working. Every piece of revenge I’d set in motion was moving where I needed it to. Soon, every enemy who dared to stand against me would be erased from the face of this earth.
Luto stood with me, the same man who had stood by my father when others turned their backs. He bowed his head slightly, then reached out and clasped my hand firmly.
“It feels good to have you back. To know a true leader who cares for everyone sits on the throne. That makes me rest easy at night.”
“It feels good to be back.” I returned the grip. “Your loyalty will not go unrewarded.”
He shook his head firmly. “I didn’t stand with you for a reward. I was loyal to your father, and that loyalty was always yours too. Forgive me that I couldn’t do more when they stole your seat and tore your family apart… I was outnumbered.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “That’s all in the past now. A new dawn has begun, and things will be done differently this time.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
