The Mafia King's Temptation (Dante and Lucia) novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68- Breaking Walls

Lucia The world tilted on its as as I stared through Elling snow at a

snow at a ghost. Or a hallucination. Or maybe just too much of Kristin’s aquavit making me see things that couldn’t possibly be real.

Because Dante Romano couldn’t be standing on a snowy Oslo street at midnight. The morning news had shown him at City Hall, perfectly composed in his element, announcing urban development initiatives half a world away.

Yet here he was, radiating that lethal grace in a black overcoat that probably cost more than most Norwegian cars, Snowflakes caught in his dark hair, the only disorder in his otherwise perfect appearance.

“Is this guy bothering you?” Olav stepped slightly in front of me, drawing himself up to his full height – which, I noticed with a slightly hysterical bubble of laughter, put him a good three inches absive Daise. “Should I call the police?”

Dame’s eyes never left my face as he replied in flawless Norwegian, each word carrying careful me

“Wife?” Olay’s laugh held genuine confusion “Look, I don’t know what kind of crazy

menace. “Step away from imy wife

“Olay “I touched has arm, feeling Dante’s gaze track the movement like a predator. “It’s okay. He’s… he’s telling the truth.”

“This is him?” Obv’s eyes widened comically. “The husband? But I thought he was in America doing important political things!”

“He was.” I met Dante’s gaze finally, shock giving way to anger. This morning, in fact, I saw the press conference.”

“Recorded yesterday,” Danie’s voice carried deadly calm as he switched to Eriglish. “Unlike some people, I don’t waste time when something requires

immediate attention.”

“Something” Heat rushed to my checks. “Or someone?”

His jaw ticked – that tiny tell that meant carefully maintained control was shipping. “We should discuss this privately

“We’re having a perfectly pleasant conversation right here,” I shot back, feeling reckless. “Claw and I were just-

“If this boy values his continued existence. Dajue muit in smoothly, he’ll say goodnight now.”

“Are you threatening me?” Olay drew himself up even taller, all Viking warrior despite his youth. “Because I’m not afraid of

“Olav.” I grabbed his arm before this could escalate further. Thank you for walking me home. But you should go.”

But

“Hease.” I squeezed his arm gently. I’m fine. He’s..“1 sighed, searching for words. “He’s my husband. My very overprotective, somewhat dramatic

husband”

Understanding finally downed in his blue eyes. “Ohl The complicated one

A sound that might have been a laugh escaped me. “Yes. The complicated one.”

“Right.” He shot Dame a look that was half challenge, half curiosity. “Well, if you’re sure….”

“I’m sure.” I managed a mile. Thank you for a lovely evening.”

He hesitated another moment before nodding Text me when you’re safe?” The words carried pointed meaning as he glanced at Dante.

The only threat to her safety,” Dante said with lethal softness, “is your continued presence, child”

“I’m not a child!” Olav protested. I’m oventy–one and—

“Goodnight, Olav.” I cut him off firmly. Tll see you in class.”

He finally withdrew, shooting concerned glances over his shoulder until he disappeared around the corner. Snow continued falling in soft silence as I

turned to face the man who’d followed me across an ocean.

“Child?” I arched an eyebrow, clinging to anger because it was safer than other emotions threatening to surface. “He’s hardly more than a decade

younger than you.”

“Eleven years, two months, and seventeen days,” Dante replied with precise control. “I had him thoroughly vetted the moment he started pursuing

my wife,”

“Of course you did I started walking toward my apartment, not bothering to see if he’d follow. Snow crunched under my heels as familiar collogne teased my senses. “Because God forbid anything in this world escape your careful monitoring.”

He fell into step beside me, his longer stride adjusting to mine with practiced ease. “The boy has a trust fund from his grandmother. Clean record except for one drunk and disorderly incident last year. Passionate about environmental policy but mediocre grades in economics. And a rather persistent habit of pursuing unavailable women.”

“Fascinating kept my

my voice carefully neutral as I unlocked the building’s from door. “Did your thorough investigation happen to mention h temble jokes? Or his completely genuine enthusiasm for helping first years navigate registration? Or maybe his volunteer work at the refugee

center”

The lobby felt too small as we waited for the elevator, his presence filling every inch of available space very well informed about his… qualities.”

with carefully contained pos

power.

You seem

“He’s my friend.” The elevator arrived with a soft ding “Something you might understand if you ever allowed actual emotions into your carefully

ordered world.”

100

Chapter 68- Breaking Walls

We rode up in charged silence, tension crackling between us like lightning before a storm. My apartment door felt like a threshold between worlds as 1 unlocked it with slightly trembling fingers.

“Nice flowers.” His voice carried dangerous amusement as we entered the small living room. “You usually throw them away

Heat nished to my cheeks as I turned to face him. “Why are you here. Dance?”

“You know why” He shrugged off his overcoat, the notion precisely controlled despite the emotion buming in his eyes.

“Actually, I don’t.” Anger finally cracked through my careful composure. “Because last time we spoke, you couldn’t even say

I love you

The words fell like bombs between us, stopping my heart and my breath and possibly time itself.

“What My voice came out barely a whisper.

“I love you.” He took a step closer, that perfect control finally showing cracks. “I love your fire and your compassion and your ridiculous ceramic fishi sculptures that completely ruin my careful decorating scheme.”

“Dante-

“I love how you a challenge every carefully constructed wall I’ve built,” he contined, another step bringing him close enough that his cologne made me dizzy. “How you make me question every nile I’ve lived by. How you force me to feel things I’ve spent years trying to avoid.”