The Mafia King's Temptation (Dante and Lucia) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51- No Choice

Loris The gun felt steady in my hand as I aimed it at Marco’s heart, the movement month and practiced from years of training. His wineglass froze halfway to his lips, but his smale just widened – a predator’s grin that held no warmthi

“Did you really think.” I kept my voice soft, lethal, “that I would betray my husband for you?”

“Careful, cara.” He set down his glass with deliberate precision. “Let’s not do anything…..rash.”

“Like offering a Romano’s wife protection? Like thinking you could tum me against my family het ice coat each word. That seems rather rash to

Marco’s laugh hield genuine amusement as he leaned back in his chair, completely at case despite the weapon trained on lum. The candlelight caught his signet ring as he gestured expansively, “You misunderstand, bellissima. This is about turning you against anyone. This is about expanding your options

“By threatening my husband!“.

“By offering you freedom” He studied me over steepled fingers, dark eyes calculating. “Though I must say, your loyalty is touching. If misplaced.”||

“The only thing misplaced here is your confidence.” I shifted my am slightly, Jerning him see I knew exactly where to put a bullet. “Now tell your men to back off before-”

“Before what?” His smile turned sharp. “Before you shoot met Create a scene in my family’s beloved restaurant? Perhaps you should look up first, Mrs. Romano.”

My eyes flicked upward automatically. Through the decorative grating in the ceiling. I caught the glint of a rifle barrel. Cold understanding sented in

“You really think I’d meet a Valentini – much lessa Romano’s wife – withour insurance?” Maren’s voice carried that dangerous plemoness that meant realtrouble. The sniper currently has your husband in his sigloss, Oise sint from you.” He drew a finger across his throat “Well, I’m sure you can unagine the headlines. Rising Political Star Gamer Down Outside Campaign Office, Tragic, mi

mally.

My hand dicln’h waver, bin sweat braded at my temple. “You’re bluffing

“Am I? He pulled out his phone, numing it to show me a live feed. Dance stood ourside his office building, discussing something with James while Taylor scanned the perimeter. Even through the grainy video, I could see the laser sight dinning over his heart.

“I never make deals can lose, cara.” Marco’s voice softened with the sympathy. “Why do you think we didn’t search you for weapon? I knew you’d rome armed – you’re a Valentin after all. Just like I knew your’d never risk his life, no matter how angry you are about those contracts”

The truth of his words bumed like art. Because he was right I could pull this trigger, end his games permanently. But couldn’t gamble with Dante’s life. Not even now, with betrayal still bitter in my throat.

Then there’s the matter of your father, Marco continued casually, like we were discussing wine pairings instead of threats. “Still recovering at St. Vincent’s, but be? Third floor, private wing, with that lovely view of the garden? I would be a shame if something… unfortunate happened during his physical therapy.”

Ice formed in my veins. “Touch my father and-”

“You’ll what?” He gestured around the empty restaurant. “Shoot me! We’ve established that ends badly for everyone you love. No. I think it’s time to

he reasonable about this

“Reasonable?” My laugh held no humor. “Like offering to help destroy my husband’s family?”

“Like offering you a better option than being another comran in Dante Romano’s carefully planned life.” Marco stood slowly, hands raised in exaggerated prace. “Think shour it how many other women has he bound with legal terms? How many others thought they were special before reading the fine princ?*

The words hit like physical blows, making my hand shake slightly. He saw the weakness, pressing his advantage with a shark s instinct for blood.

“You deserve more than careful arrangements, Lucia. More than a man who treats passion like business negotiations.” He moved closer, ignoring my weapon emirely. “I would never reduce you to contract terms. Never try to contain what makes you magnificent.”

“Stay back.” I wamed, but the command lacked force.

“Or what?” Another step. “You’ll shoot me and sign your husband’s death warrant Risk your father’s life for pride?” His smile tumed cruel. “Face it. cara – you’ve lost this round. The only question is how gracefully you’ll accept it.”

As if to prove his point, shadows detached from the walls. Two of his men moved with professional efficiency, boxing me in without seeming to move at all. I kept my gun trained on Marco’s heart, but we both knew it was an empty gesture now.

“Now then,” he purred, close enough that I could smell his cologne – something expensive and wrong. Not the familiar sandalwood that meant safety and heat and… No. Focus. “Why don’t you put down the weapon before someone gets hurt?”

“The only one getting hurt will be you if ”

“If what?” He nodded slightly, and one of his men pressed a phone to my ear. The sound of medical equipment beeping filled the line – my father’s hospital room. “Should Have Giuseppe demonstrate how easily accidents happen during recovery? Perhaps a fall during physical therapy Or maybe something more dramatic..”

My father’s voice came through, tired but alive. Talking to a mine about dinner options. So normal. Se vulnet|b|r

Chapter 51- No Choice

Tick tork, cara” Marco’s fingers brushed my wrist, cold where Dame’s touch burned. “The gun, please. Before this evening becomes unnecessarily

For a moment. I imagined pulling the trigger anyway. Imagined making him pay for daring to threaten my family, for thinking he could manipulace me with pretty words about freedom and contract terms.

But the laser sight still danced on Dante’s hear through the phone feed. My father’s voice still carried through the line, reminding me exactly what I had to lose

case while the other

“Smart girl,” Marco muurmured as I slowly lowered the weapon. One of his men plucked it from my hand with practiced en maintained his position behind me. Tknew you’d see reason eventually.”

“What do you want? I kept my vosite steady despite the fury burning in my chest.

“Just a little of your time. His smile showed on many teeth. “Consider it a…getting–to–know–you dinner. After all, we’ll be working very closely

together soon.

Thavent agreed to anything”

“Haven’t you?” He gestured to one of his men who produced a tables. More surveillance feeds filled the screen – Dame’s sisters at their favorite cafe, my brothers leaving a business meeting, everyday moments turned threatening by context “The thing about family, cara, is it gives people su

many preisure points,

Understanding hits like a physical blow. This hadn’t been a negotiation. It had been a carefully staged trap, with my loved ones as umritting hostages.

“Now then,” Marco settled back into his chair with Gud grace. “Shall we discuss terms over pasta! My bisnonni’s recipe really is magnificent.…..“

“I won’t eat.” I said coldly, even as one of his men pushed me none too gently into my chair. “And I won’t help you destroy my husband.”

“Such devotion” Marco signaled for fresh wine, acting like this was a normal dinner date rather than barely concealed violence. “Even after discovering how he really sees women. Tell me, did you read all chose comtracts? The careful terms he negotiates for affection!”

My fingers curled into fists beneath the table. “You don’t know anything about my marriage.”

“No!” He pulled out mother tablet, thus one displaying familar legal language. My heart stopped as I recognized dates, names, arrangements 1 hadn’t seen in Donte’s office. “Six years of documented relationships, each one perfectly contracteil. Each woman thinking she might be different, special. the one to break through his careful control. His smile timed cruel. “Unul the next contract came along

“If you’re trying to make me jealous-

Tin trying to make you see truth.” He reached across the table, catching my hand before I could pull away. His grip was just shy of painful. “You’re worth more than being mother name in his ledger. Another carefully managed asset.”

Let Go Early word carried lethal promise despite my precarious position.

You still don’t understand your situation, do you?”“”. Ha fingers tightened slightly.

“You’re not leaving this restaurant until we reach an arrangement. One that benefits us both.”

“The only arrangement you’re getting be-

A phone buzzed–one of his men checking messages. Marco’s eyes flickered to the screen, something like satisfaction crossing his face.

“Well,” he purred. “It seems your husband has noticed your absence. His security teams are quite frantically searching the usual places.” His smile widened. “Should we let him know where you are? Give him incentive to be reasonable about upcoming changes in family leadership?”

Ice formed in my stomach. “Don’t,”

“Not” He finally released my hand, but the threat remained heavy in the air. “Then perhaps you’d like to explain why you’re dining alone with a known Romano enemy! I’m sure the press would love that story–rising policician’s wife meeting rival family heir in intimate settings.”

“You orchestrated this whole thing.” I realized, fury rising hot and fast. The contracts appearing in his office, the strategic leaks to the press, the whispers about arranged marriages

“Very good.” He looked genuinely pleased, like a teacher with a star pupil. “You see now why you’re perfect for this? Such a clever mind, wasted on