139: Hell Would Freeze Over
Gianna’s POV
Jealousy burned through me. My nails dug into my palms.
I could not stand the thought. The image of Dante with another woman, touching her, inside her, making her feel what he m me feel…
Hell would freeze over before it happened.
Dante must have felt me tense because his arm tightened around me, pulling me closer against his side. He looked down at n his grey eyes reassuring.
Then he turned to Augusto.
“I would not be interested in your…” He gestured dismissively at the three women. “Gifts. So I suggest you take these ladies leave.”
His voice was final.
Augusto’s smile shifted. “Oh no, Dante. You know our traditions. The Mafia King is free to sleep with as many women as he pleases, especially on such an important night. For our entertainment.”
“And I decline.” Dante’s voice hardened. “I will not be participating in such traditions.”
Augusto laughed, but it sounded forced. “Every Mafia King before you did it. You would not be any different. Even your own father did it on the night he married your mother.”
Dante’s face transformed. His expression went dark. “Augusto.” His voice dropped to a deadly tone. “As you said, I am the–Ma King. I make and dissolve customs. And this one? I dissolve today.”
“You have no right…”
“I have every right.”
Dante’s gaze swept across the room, landing on each clan leader in turn. The weight of his stare made grown men shift in their
seats.
“Does anyone take exception to my decree?”
The entire hall went silent.
No one spoke. No one even breathed too loudly.
“Good.” Dante nodded once. “It is law now. No more mistresses presented as gifts. No more women ottered like party favors. Any man who wants to dishonor his wife or future wife can do it on his own time, not under the guise of tradition.”
He turned to his guards. “Please escort these ladies out. Unless anyone else is interested?”
Several hands shot up around the room.
“Don has refused! We get to take our pick!”
“Augusto, bring them over here!”
“Tonight we feast and fuck in honor of the Mafia King and his bride!”
Augusto’s face twisted with barely hidden rage. He waved the women forward, and they hurried toward the men who ha interest, their heels clicking against the floor.
Dante leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. “I will be right back.”
Chapter 139 Hell Would Freeze Over
+25 Bonus
“I actually feel sorry for her,” one of them said with false sympathy. “Her father left her alone in this cruel world, and she has no idea what she just signed up for. It’s only going to get worse.”
“Much worse,” another agreed. “Dante needs an heir. She’s probably just going to be a breeding mare. Once she gets pregnant, he won’t touch her again. We all went through it. The moment you start showing, they find someone else to warm their bed.”
“Exactly. She thinks she’s special right now because he rejected those women Augusto brought. She thinks she’s different, that he actually cares.”
The woman laughed coldly. “It was all for show. She’ll figure it out soon enough. In this world, the men always take mistresses. And she’ll end up just like the rest of us, alone, used up, and replaced.”
“She’s not special. None of us are.”
My chest tightened. The room started to spin.
I had heard enough. No more.
I slammed my glass down on the bar hard enough that champagne sloshed over the rim. 1
All three women turned to look at me. They were dressed in expensive gowns, dripping with jewelry.
I recognized them immediately, the wives of clan leaders who had congratulated me earlier, standing proudly beside their husbands.
Dante had introduced them.
Mrs. Ortega, her dark hair pulled back so tightly it looked painful.
Mrs. Ricci, all fake smiles and colder eyes.
And Mrs. Vitale, the youngest of the three, though bitterness had already carved lines around her mouth.
They stared at me now with wide eyes, as if they had only just noticed I was standing there. The fake surprise was almost insulting.
“Oh, Lady Gianna,” Mrs. Castellano said, pasting on a smile. “We didn’t see you there, dear.”
“We were just talking…‘
Liars.
“”
They knew exactly who I was. They had known I was standing there the entire time.
They said it on purpose. Every word meant to cut, to hurt, to make me feel small.
But I would not let them see it working.
“Save it.”
I pushed past them without another word, my shoulder bumping hard against Mrs. Ortega’s arm.
My hands were shaking. My vision blurred. I needed to get away from everything.
I turned and headed for the exit. Bruno started to follow.
“I just need the restroom, Bruno.”
“I’ll wait outside.”
“No.” I did not mean for it to come out so harsh. “Please. Just give me a few minutes. Alone.”
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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.
