Chapter 32: Reclaiming My Throne
Dante’s POV
Gianna walked out of my office, completely unaware she was a pawn in a long game of revenge.
I rose from my seat and let my eyes scan the pictures, files, maps, lists, everything I had scattered across my desk.
One picture set my blood boiling, and my gaze fixed on it.
Augusto Vitale.
I snatched it up, jaw tightening, and grabbed the red marker that always sat on my desk. With one violent stroke, I carved a thick X across his smug face.
Gianna had confirmed what I already suspected. Augusto was the traitor among the seated clans. He had been the one who helped Lorenzo steal my crown. Now there was no doubt.
And now, I was coming for all of them.
A familiar knock broke through my haze of rage.
“Come in, Bruno,” I called.
The door opened and my right hand stepped in with a grin stretched across his face. That cocky grin told me exactly what I needed to know he had good news.
“Don,” Bruno said, excitement in his voice, “Phase Two has been successfully completed. I just finished meeting with the leaders of the two weaker clan families at the table. They’ve decided to back you.”
I nodded, letting the words settle.
From the night we raided Lorenzo’s house, we didn’t go away empty–handed. We brought in our best men, cracked open his safe, and what we found was worth more than gold: recordings, ledgers, blackmail, evidence on every clan member, every shady deal, every betrayal, except Augusto. Lorenzo had used that leverage to control them, forcing them to do his bidding.
But now the leverage was mine.
I’d already forced three families into alignment. Alignment was a generous word for it. They hadn’t agreed out of loyalty. They agreed because I’d left them no choice. In this life, betrayal left no room for mercy: bend the knee or burn.
The smaller clans didn’t stand a chance in wars like these, they dissolved into my empire.
That left two.
The Luto family, the only ones who never betrayed me even when the others bowed to Lorenzo. They were too small to fight alone, but they endured, and their loyalty would not go unrewarded.
Everything was falling into place faster than I’d anticipated.
I finally lifted my gaze to Bruno, who was still grinning. “Great job, Bruno. That means we’re on track to move to the next phase.” I paused, the words tasting like victory.
“Phase Three?” Bruno asked, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
“Phase Three, taking back my crown.”
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Chapter 32 Reclaiming My Throne
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Bruno’s grin widened. “Seems like that’s going to happen earlier than we planned.”
I raised a brow, confusion etched across my face. “How so?”
Bruno leaned forward slightly, savoring the news. “One of the clans, the Orthegas, mentioned a date has been chosen for the annual clan meeting.”
“Fuck,” I growled. My blood boiled as the pieces locked into place.
I straightened, then slammed my palms against the desk. “But it’s not supposed to happen until months from now.”
Bruno’s tone didn’t waver. “They moved up the date. The Ortegas said it was an emergency meeting, scheduled just last night.”
Unable to stay in place, I pushed off the desk and leaned back against it, jaw tight. Those slimy bastards wanted to move ahead of me, take the crown before I was ready. But thanks to Bruno, always keeping me one step ahead, they wouldn’t blindside me.
The annual clan meeting was held once a year. All the heads of the syndicates across the country gathered at the same table. Decisions were made, alliances tested, power reinstated. It rarely happened outside its set time, because gathering all the leading clans in one room was suicide; international enemies could strike and wipe out generations in a single night. That’s why the meeting was sacred, once a year, never more, unless an event so critical forced them into it.
My voice dropped low, edged with suspicion. “An emergency meeting can only mean a few things. Either one of the leading clans was attacked and they’re calling the rest together to plan retaliation, or…”
I paused, heat surging through me, “…to install a new king.”
I looked straight at Bruno, my eyes hard. “So which is it?”
Bruno shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. But there’s been chatter. They say the throne can’t stay empty for long. Every clan member’s been moving, scrambling to secure alliances, each one dreaming they’ll be the one to wear the crown.”
“So who called the meeting?” I asked.
Bruno didn’t hesitate. His lack of surprise told me everything. “Augusto Vitale.”
I ground my teeth. “That bastard…”
Augusto Vitale, slippery as oil. Always pretending neutrality, pretending loyalty, pretending he stood by my family. But I knew the truth now. After months of probing, watching, following every move, his mask had finally slipped. He was Lorenzo’s dog, two–faced: smiling in my presence while plotting my downfall behind my back.
I bent over my desk, sweeping every single paper, file, and Lorenzo’s picture onto the floor.
My breathing came in hard, ragged gasps, anger coiling through me like fire.
“Don,” Bruno said, his tone suddenly firm, “you’ve got to calm down.”
I spun on him, rage burning in my chest. “How can I calm down when Gia just confirmed his secret meetings with Lorenzo at his private home? It’s been him all along. Not just business partners, like he wanted us to believe. No, he plotted with Lorenzo.”
Bruno froze, eyes widening slightly. “She confirmed it? How did you make her talk?”
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Chapter 32 Reclarning My Throne
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I snapped back, “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
A trace of uncertainty crossed his face. “After the last time, when you tried to make her talk in front of them and she played games in your face, I thought we were never getting anything from her…”
Bruno smirked, shaking his head. “That’s one tough woman, boss.‘
I fixed him with a dark glare.
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Bruno’s smirk slipped. “Sorry, boss. I meant no disrespect. I was just wondering…”
Jealousy and fury surged through me. “Don’t fucking wonder about how I break my own woman,” I growled.” Focus on the matter at hand. Augusto Vitale. I want his blood.”
Bruno raised his hands in mock surrender. “In time, boss. But with him, we’ve got to apply patience. Augusto plays every side, and he’s got allies. We don’t have proof to show the other clans. No dirt, no leverage. If we move too soon, he’ll twist it against us.”
>>
I paced, chest heaving, fury clawing to get out. Bruno’s calm grated, but he wasn’t wrong.
“Let’s focus on getting you your crown back first,” he continued, voice growing persuasive. “Trust me, Don. Augusto Vitale will pay, with blood, for killing Lady Esmeralda.”
I stopped pacing, inhaled a long breath, and forced my hands to still. My voice was rough. “So what do you suggest?”
Bruno’s cocky grin flashed again. “I say you make a surprise appearance tonight. Walk into that meeting and take your place. Augusto won’t see it coming.”
I nodded slowly, the fire in my gut flaring brighter. Now I was certain. The bastard called the meeting to crown himself the new Mafia King.
Inside, my thoughts burned hotter. Now that Lorenzo was out of the way, or so I let them believe, it all played into my hand. They thought him dead, and that lie gave me every advantage. But one truth remained:
That crown would never touch Augusto’s head. He would never wear the ring. Never. It was mine. Always mine.
“Yes, Don Dante,” Bruno said with reverence. “That crown is returning to the DeLuca family, where it rightfully belongs. And you’ll need Gianna at your side when you walk into that meeting. She’s Lorenzo’s daughter, the heir to his assets. With her at your side, they’ll have no choice but to back you.”
I turned toward the door, my decision final, voice cutting through the air like a blade. “You’re right. Tell them to get her ready. I’m going to reclaim my throne.”
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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.
