Fallen From Grace [Married to the Mafia Novel] novel Chapter 2

That one word gives me the last straw of hope and I hold onto it like a lifeline. My legs throb and my lungs burn from exhaustion but his outstretched hand keeps me going, running toward it like a beacon of hope.

With every step I take closer to him, I feel safer, but at the same time, I can sense his aura. His intensity and his displayed strength just by standing there. Against the barrage of gunfire from Serafino and his men, this man stands proud, completely unarmed, and that says a lot about him.

Without slowing down, I sprint straight into this stranger, colliding with his hard chest. With my mind hazy with adrenaline, I hide behind his broad back, hands gripped tightly around the material of his shirt.

“Thank you,” I gasp out, unsure if he heard me. I’m not safe yet, the danger is still very real and very close, but the moment I made it behind this man I felt protected.

“The invitation doesn’t extend to you too, Mr. Regis. Leave, now.” His voice is delicious like a deep velvet, but his tone and intent are filled with ragged edges and murderous seriousness.

“Now, now Dante. No need to go alpha on me,” Serafino says, I don’t need to look to know he has his hands in the air, because if it were me on the opposite side, I’d cower from fear of this man called Dante. “That’s my property you have there, give her back.”

I shudder at that. Never in my life did I think I’d be degraded down to someone’s property.

Dante takes a step forward, but with me holding tightly onto his shirt, he takes me with him. “She came here of her own free will and I’m granting her sanctuary,” Dante replies without missing a beat, his voice still icy cold but a lot calmer now than earlier. “You can’t touch me, Serafino. Feel free to take her by force, but you know the consequences. You may state your terms, but for now, leave.” His voice booms across the open field. There’s no room for argument in his tone, not even for someone like Serafino.

Serafino scoffs loudly before bellowing his next words, “You will regret this! She is mine!”

I shudder at his last words. I am not his. I will never be his.

I don’t remember what happens after that. My legs feel like jelly and suddenly I’m in the back of a car being driven somewhere. Then, I’m ushered into a building. Someone hands me a glass of water that I practically inhale.

How did it come to this? I need to find a way to free myself and my sister from Serafino. But what? My father sold both of us, so I have nothing. It’s not like I can negotiate to work off my father’s debt because I’ll be Serafino’s slave until the day that I die. And based on the way he talks about owning me… I’d rather not imagine what he’s thinking of doing once he gets his filthy hands on me.

Think, Jean. Think!

There’s no way I can afford to buy myself back. Unless…

“Dante wishes to see you, Miss.”

That’s right. Dante. I was spared by a man named Dante. And he will save me too. He must be a person of power in the underground for someone as powerful as Serafino Regis would run away, tail tucked between his legs. He will be my salvation, no matter the cost.

Head much clearer now, the same man who gave me water ushers me towards a door on the second floor. “Just through here. Luca will escort you.”

I enter and I’m greeted by a man who’s a full head taller than me, probably more. He’s wearing a silk black button-down shirt and a pair of black pants. In his hand is a glass of suspicious-looking liquid which I’m guessing is a custom mixed drink.