Gianna’s POV
The room went deadly silent.
Dante was already moving, closing the distance between them with long, angry strides. “Careful, Selene.”
His voice carried a warning that would have made anyone else back down.
But Selene ignored him, her glassy eyes still locked on mine. “No matter how much the Don triesh to paint the image of thish murderer’sh daughter ash anything else, she’sh nothing but a replacement. A pale imitation of what we losht.” (3)
Everyone gasped. The sound echoed through the room.
I clutched my chest, feeling like she had physically struck me. All eyes turned to me, judging me, comparing me to a dead woman I had never met.
Dante reached Selene, casting her a look that could have melted steel. “It seems my sister–in–law has had too much to drink. I’ll take her to bed.”
He signaled to Bruno, who came from behind and reached for Selene’s arm.
“No!” She jerked away, stumbling. “I’m not drunk!”
But it was obvious she was. Her words slurred, her movements clumsy. She had downed at least a bottle of champagne on her
own. 1
“No one can take my shishter’s plashe! No one!” she shouted, still protesting as Bruno half–carried, half–dragged her from the
room.
Dante turned back to the crowd, his expression smoothing into something charming. “Apologies for the interruption,
gentlemen. Grief makes us all say shit we don’t mean. Now, who wants to hear about the time I caught my accountant skimming off the top?”
Laughter rippled through the room. The tension broke as Dante launched into a story designed to make everyone forget what had just happened.
But I could not forget.
My hands trembled as I stood there, feeling the weight of all those judgmental gazes. The gossip had already started.
“Poor Don, having to marry that girl after what her father did.”
“She’ll never fill Esmeralda’s shoes.”
“Murderer’s daughter playing at being queen.”
I needed air. Space, I needed to get away from all these eyes.
I turned toward the bar, desperate for a drink, something stronger than champagne to numb the ache in my chest.
I had barely taken two steps when I crashed into a wall of muscle.
Strong hands caught my shoulders, steadying me. That familiar scent of cedar and musk wrapped around me.
“Where are you going?” Dante’s dark voice sent shivers down my spine.
I had been so focused on escaping that I had not seen him return. Now I was pressed against his chest, my hands splayed over the expensive fabric of his suit.
Fear hit first. The same instinctive fear from months ago, when every interaction with him had felt dangerous.
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Chapter 18 Offered Him Women On The Eve Of Bur Wedding
+25 Bonus
Chapter 138: Offered Him Women On The Eve of 9ur Wedding
Gianna’s POV
The room went deadly silent.
Dante was already moving, closing the distance between them with long, angry strides. “Careful, Selene.”
His voice carried a warning that would have made anyone else back down.
But Selene ignored him, her glassy eyes still locked on mine. “No matter how much the Don triesh to paint the image of thish murderer’sh daughter ash anything else, she’sh nothing but a replacement. A pale imitation of what we losht.“)
Everyone gasped. The sound echoed through the room.
I clutched my chest, feeling like she had physically struck me. All eyes turned to me, judging me, comparing me to a dead woman I had never met.
Dante reached Selene, casting her a look that could have melted steel. “It seems my sister–in–law has had too much to drink. I’ll take her to bed.”
He signaled to Bruno, who came from behind and reached for Selene’s arm.
“No!” She jerked away, stumbling. “I’m not drunk!”
But it was obvious she was. Her words slurred, her movements clumsy. She had downed at least a bottle of champagne on her
own.
“No one can take my shishter’s plashe! No one!” she shouted, still protesting as Bruno half–carried, half–dragged her from the
room.
Dante turned back to the crowd, his expression smoothing into something charming. “Apologies for the interruption,
gentlemen. Grief makes us all say shit we don’t mean. Now, who wants to hear about the time I caught my accountant skimming off the top?”
Laughter rippled through the room. The tension broke as Dante launched into a story designed to make everyone forget what had just happened.
But I could not forget.
My hands trembled as I stood there, feeling the weight of all those judgmental gazes. The gossip had already started.
“Poor Don, having to marry that girl after what her father did.”
“She’ll never fill Esmeralda’s shoes.”
“Murderer’s daughter playing at being queen.”
I needed air. Space. I needed to get away from all these eyes.
I turned toward the bar, desperate for a drink, something stronger than champagne to numb the ache in my chest.
I had barely taken two steps when I crashed into a wall of muscle.
Strong hands caught my shoulders, steadying me. That familiar scent of cedar and musk wrapped around me.
“Where are you going?” Dante’s dark voice sent shivers down my spine.
I had been so focused on escaping that I had not seen him return. Now I was pressed against his chest, iny hands splayed over the expensive fabric of his suit.
Fear hit first. The same instinctive fear from months ago, when every interaction with him had felt dangerous.
Chapter 138 Offered Him Women On The Eve of Bur Wedding
+25 Bonus
Then I relaxed, melting into him. Because despite everything, I felt safe here. Protected.
When did that happen?
“I, um, need a drink.” My voice came out smaller than I wanted.
Dante lifted a hand, signaling a passing waiter who appeared instantly with a tray of champagne. He took a glass and handed it
to me.
I grabbed it and downed half in one gulp, not realizing how badly I needed something to do with my hands.
Dante’s hand closed over mine on the glass, stopping me from finishing it. “Easy, pretty doll. You don’t want to get drunk.”
I looked up at him, defiance flashing. “Why not? It’s the eve of my wedding.”
He pulled me closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him. His lips brushed my ear. “I need you slightly sober for the things I have planned tonight.”
A shiver raced through me. The egg chose that moment to pulse once, hard, dragging a gasp from my
Oh God. What the hell does he have planned?
I tugged the glass back. “Drunk me would do just fucking fine.”
“No more alcohol.” His voice dropped into that dangerous, commanding tone. “That’s an order.”
My eyes narrowed. “I don’t have to listen to you.”
throat.
“Yes, you do.” He plucked the glass from my fingers and placed it on a passing tray. “Especially in front of the entire Mafia world. You don’t want them thinking I’m marrying a wife I can’t control.”
I rolled my eyes hard. “They already think I’m a murderer’s daughter. How much worse can it get?”
His expression softened instantly.
“Gianna.”
He pulled me flush against him, my body pressed to his chest. I could feel every solid plane of muscle, his heart pounding beneath my palm.
“Don’t let Selene’s bullshit get to you.”
“I’m trying not to.” My voice cracked anyway. “But it’s hard. I can feel them staring. Judging me. Comparing me to your dead wife who everyone loved.”
Dante’s fingers tipped my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His grey eyes burned into mine.
“Fuck everyone in this room.” His words were sharp, ruthless. “Tonight is ours. No one gets to ruin it.”
He took my left hand and pressed it to his chest, right over his heart. His fingers circled the diamond on my ring.
“You’re going to be my wife. My queen. Anyone who disrespects you will answer to me. Anyone who makes you feel small will fucking regret it. You are not a replacement.”
His thumb brushed my bottom lip. “You’re building your own legacy. And I’ll burn this whole underworld to ash before I let anyone make you doubt that.”
My throat tightened. Tears threatened, but I forced them back.
He meant it.
I nodded, unable to speak.
214
Over
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Chapter
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.
