Gianna’s POV
The dining room was packed with the most dangerous men in the criminal underworld. Mafia clan leaders from across country sat at the table, their soldiers standing watch along the walls. Cigar smoke and expensive cologne filled the air man here could end a life with a single word.
I sat beside Dante, hyperaware of the egg nestled deep inside me, stretching me, filling me. The constant pressure mad thighs tremble. One wrong move, one shift of my hips, and I would gasp in front of everyone.
Stay calm. Do not let them see.
At the head of the table, Dante rose. The room fell silent instantly, as if someone had flipped a switch. That was his powe presence alone commanded obedience.
He stood tall, shoulders broad in his perfectly tailored black suit. His grey eyes gleamed as he lifted a wine glass, surveyi room with the confidence of a man who owned everything he looked at.
He extended his hand toward me. My eyes lifted, following the movement, taking him in as I placed my hand in his, stea than I felt, and rose
beside him.
God, he was
“Gen
atingly so. The kind that made women forget their own names.
rough the silence like a blade. “Tonight I introduce you to Gianna DeLuca. My fiancée. My fu ntire Clans.”
, softening just a moment. His hand settled possessively on my lower back, fingers splaying across e pulled me closer against his side.
palm burned through the fabric.
uch said. She is mine.
smile, nodding at the faces around th
n with cold eyes, who were judging me, deciding if I wa
ase do not turn it on. Please do not.
The egg buzzed to life.
Low vibrations pulsed against my
I gasped, barely managing to through my body. My kne
He did not even gla come apart from
Absolute jerk
y sensitive spot. Pleasure shot through me like lightning.
and flew to Dante’s forearm, gripping hard as waves of sensation rolled gainst him, trying desperately to keep my expression neutral.
speaking as if nothing was happening, as it he was not currently making me
forward. He was older, maybe late titties, with silver threading through his dark ides in the world, why did it have to be Lorenzo’s daughter?”
nsidering what he did to your wife. God rest her soul.”
ime I felt every muscle tense, felt the rage rolling off him in waves.
ened, fingers digging in almost painfully.
Chapter 136. A Toast to Possession
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“Keep the memories of my late wife out of your foul mouth,” Dante said. Each word came out rough. “You do not deserve to say her name or talk about her. Is that understood?”
The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees. Several of the clan leaders shifted uncomfortably. Even the soldiers along the walls stood straighter, hands moving closer to concealed weapons.
Augusto lifted both hands, palms out, his expression shifting into one of false guilt. “Apologies. I did not mean to strike a nerve. I only needed clarification on your union, as I am sure it is the question on everyone’s lips.”
Liar. You knew exactly what you were doing.
Before Dante could respond, Luther stood. He was a bear of a man, easily six foot five, with a red beard and kind eyes that did not match his profession. He fixed Augusto with a hard stare.
“Augusto, enough,” Luther said, his voice booming across the room. “The last time we had dinner together, it was suggested that the Don marry Gianna to seal the partnership and unite the clans. To end the division so everyone can run their business in unity. So we are all in support, are we not?”
Luther looked around the table, his gaze landing on each clan leader in turn, waiting.
“Aye, we are in support,” came the first response.
“This unites the Clans. Great decision, Don.”
“Finally, some much–needed peace.”
“About time we stopped the bloodshed.”
One by one, they voiced their agreement. All except Augusto, who stood there with that fake smile frozen on his face.
Luther’s eyes narrowed at him. “See, Augusto? You are the only one making trouble. As usual.” He turned back to address the room. “The Don has always had a heart of gold. That is what was taken advantage of by Lorenzo. Instead of killing Lady Gianna here in revenge, he has chosen to let go and take her as his wife. I do not know any man here who would have such an opportunity for revenge and spare the enemy’s daughter.”
Heads nodded around the table.
“No, I would have ended her without hesitation.”
“Revenge is best served bloody.”
“It shows real strength to choose peace over vengeance.”
Luther raised his glass high. “All hail Dante DeLuca!”
“All hail!” The room erupted in cheers.
Dante held up a hand, cutting through the celebration. The room quieted instantly.
“My decision to take Gianna as my bride is personal, and no one here gets to question it.”
His voice carried absolute authority, “Gianna and I have more in common than you know. We both understand loss. We both know betrayal. And we both know the line between hate and love.”
He paused, his grey eyes finding mine. “That line is thinner than anyone wants to admit.”
My heart melted right there in my chest.
Oh God.
Luther was right. Dante could have killed ine. Should have killed me by every law of vendetta and revenge. But he did not. Instead, he kept me here, subjected me to his twisted punishments like this cursed egg buzzing inside me, driving me slowly
Chapter 137 Welcome to the Family
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Chapter 137: Welcome To The Family
Gianna’s POV
Months ago, when I first arrived at this estate as his prisoner, I would have loathed the idea. I would have fought tooth and nail against it. I would have done anything to escape.
But now.
I looked at him and watched him dominate the room with nothing but his presence. I watched dangerous men defer to him, respect him, fear him.
I no longer felt hatred. I no longer felt that burning desire to escape. Instead, I felt a longing to embrace our union. To stand by his side. To be his queen in truth, not just in name.
When did this happen? When did I stop hating him and start caring?
I knew this was essentially a contract marriage, and I still had to hand my father over to him eventually, if that man was even still alive. That part was uncertain. He could already be dead, or it could be years before we found him.
But for now, I planned to make the most of this. Of us.
Dante’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “I’m going to let my fiancée have a moment to speak.”
What?
Every eye in the room turned to me. My heart hammered against my ribs as Dante stepped back slightly, giving me the floor.
The egg chose that moment to pulse harder, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from making a sound.
Breathe. You can do this.
I lifted my chin, channeling every ounce of confidence I had left. “When I first came here, I saw Dante as my enemy. As the man who took everything from me.”
My voice started shaky but grew stronger. “But over these past months, I’ve seen the truth. I’ve seen his strength, his honor, his vision for what these clans can become.”
I turned to look at Dante, finding his grey eyes locked on mine. “Tonight, I stand before you not as Lorenzo’s daughter, but as Dante’s future wife. And I promise you all that I will support him. I will help lead with him. I will do everything in my power to ensure the peace and prosperity of our united clans.”
A slow smile spread across Dante’s face, genuine and warm. He took my hand, raised it to his lips, and pressed a kiss to my knuckles that made my toes curl in my heels.
“A toast,” he announced, lifting his glass high. “To a new dawn. To unity. To the future.”
“To a new dawn!” The room erupted in cheers again, glasses clinking together in celebration.
I downed half my champagne in one gulp, needing something to calm my racing heart. The egg was still buzzing, still driving me slowly insane, and I could feel dampness soaking through the lace of my panties.
How am I supposed to survive this whole night?
Just as I thought we were done, Augusto’s voice cut through the celebration. “Don, it seems like everyone is excited about this proposed future of peace. But 1, on the other hand.”
He paused, his expression shifting into one of false concern. “I’m worried about our future queen here.”
He gestured toward me with his glass, his smile condescending.
“She’s too young for such a position. I mean, she’s barely twenty–three. Are we all sure she can handle the responsibilities of
Chapter 137 Welcome To The Family
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being a Mafia Queen?”
There it was. The real reason for his objections.
It was crystal clear now. Augusto was jealous of Dante and this new era of peace. He wanted to undermine the support of the clans and sow seeds of doubt.
The vibrations stopped abruptly. Dante’s hand tightened on my waist, his fingers digging in possessively.
“Gianna is stronger than you can ever imagine.” His voice dropped to a softer tone that hinted at danger. “She’s exactly what we need. What she lacks in age, she more than makes up for in courage, intelligence, and her eagerness to learn. I’m confident she will lead you all into a prosperous future.”
He paused, his grey eyes fixed on Augusto with unwavering intensity. “Or are you questioning my judgment, Augusto?”
The threat hung in the air.
“Not at all, Don.” Augusto’s smile widened, but it did not reach his eyes. “Just making conversation.”
“Then enough with the conversation,” Dante declared. “Everyone, make merry. Because by this time tomorrow, you’ll have a new queen. And anyone who disrespects her will answer to me personally. Are we clear?”
“Crystal clear, Don.”
“Understood.”
“Welcome to the family, Lady Gianna.”
Classical music began playing from somewhere in the corner. Conversations resumed, clan leaders moving to speak with one another in smaller groups.
Dante was pulled away by Luther, who wanted to discuss a business matter.
I stood there, smiling politely, the egg vibrating slowly inside me. Just enough to keep me on edge, to remind me of what Dante
could do to me at any moment.
No one had any idea what I was enduring right now.
My nerves were shot. Every time someone approached to offer congratulations, I had to fight to keep my voice steady and my knees from buckling.
Across the room, movement caught my eye. Dante’s sister–in–law, Selene.
She stood at the bar, gulping down glass after glass of champagne as if she were trying to drown something. She was beautiful in a red dress with a plunging neckline and a deep V–back that dipped dangerously low. The kind of dress that demanded attention. The kind of dress a bride might wear, not a guest.
Her eyes found mine across the crowded room, raking over me from head to toe. The anger in them made me take a step back.
She sees me as an intruder. A replacement for her dead sister.
With her eyes still locked on mine, she pushed away from the bar and walked into the middle of the room. Every male eye followed her, drawn by the red dress and the sway of her hips.
She lifted her hand and flicked her wrist. The music cut off immediately.
I watched Dante turn around, shock flashing across his face before it hardened into fury.
“My sister,” Selene slurred, raising her glass in a mocking toast. “Esmeralda De Luca was the true queen. No woman will ever compete with her grace, her beauty, her legacy,”
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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.
