The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

ANTONIO.

“What?!” I exclaimed as rage started building up within me.

“Rosalinda and Giovanni almost died because of your reckless action,” Roberto accused, glaring at me.

“First of all, that was my men’s doing, and I made sure I punished them. And again, I promised I would help find Carlo’s father, and I was doing just that!” I fired back.

“You promised to help find Carlo’s dad, not murder my daughter!” He countered as he sprinted towards me and tightly jerked my collars.

“Think before you act, Roberto.” I warned, our raging eyes staring daringly at each other.

I allowed the first punch without retaliation because I deserved it. But another punch? I won’t tolerate it.

“So, have you found the father?” He asked, squinting.

“No.” I replied firmly.

His daughter was one smart woman who had managed to cover up her tracks perfectly. She was the only one who knew who Carlo’s father was and the only one who could disclose that secret. But apparently, she wasn’t willing to.

“So everything was for nothing.” He spat disappointedly before abruptly releasing my collar from his grip and turning his attention to his daughter.

“And why are you crying? What were you doing in his arms?” He asked impatiently.

“Piero. He’s the reason I’m crying. I am suffocating from the guilt of the terrible thing that happened eight years ago. And Antonio was only trying to comfort me.” Rosalinda said truthfully, surprising me. She had kept it a secret for eight years, and it’s surprising that she’s confessing now.

She never ceases to amaze me.

Confusion skated across Roberto’s face as he questioned. “What are you talking about?”

She took a deep breath and released it before going ahead to narrate everything that happened eight years ago. As she spoke, tears trickled down her face, and I felt pity for her. She was just a young child who was trying to protect her cousin, and it was evident that she really regretted what she did. She blamed herself for being the cause of Gino’s death. Despite being born into a world of crime, her heart was pure and innocent.

Seeing her hurt made me sad, and I just wanted to pull her into my chest and assure her that everything was going to be okay. But I couldn’t do that before, Roberto. I couldn’t let him know how much I cared about her.

After she was done, Roberto didn’t utter a word before turning on his heels and storming off. The rage burning within him was palpable by the way veins budged beneath his forehead.

One thing was certain-Piero was in deep sh*t.

When he was out of sight, I inched closer to her and tried to wrap my arm around her to comfort her, but she recoiled, swallowing.

I arched my brow, wondering why she wouldn’t let me.

“You should go. Good night, Antonio. It’s a shame that you had to witness all this mess.” She sounded so ashamed of herself as she turned around and started walking away from me.

“Goodnight.” My voice was low but loud enough for her to hear.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

As much as I would have loved to stop her, as much as I wanted her to stay, I didn’t object and just allowed her to go. She obviously wanted to be alone, and I had to respect that.

I watched her scurry down the hallway until she took a corner. Once she was out of sight, I turned around and made my way outside the mansion, ready to return home. With the turnout of events tonight, it was clear that the dinner had come to an abrupt end.

Outside, I saw an enraged Roberto throwing heavy punches repeatedly at defenceless Piero. A punishment he deserved for making my woman cry!

Turning a blind eye to what was happening, I sauntered to my car and drove off.

Marco was the first person I met when I entered the mansion, and with the look he had on his face, I knew he had something to say. I knew him way too well.

“Spill.” I muttered, not wasting time, as I started trudging towards my office. I needed to get some work done before going to bed.

“About Diego Romano-” He started, trailing closely behind me.

“Did you find anything out?” I asked curiously. When I realized Diego also contacted Roberto, I was certain that he wanted his alliance, and I found that suspicious. I wondered why Diego was desperate about forming an alliance with another Mafia family, so I asked Marco to do some digging up.

“It seems he got into trouble with a Russian family. I don’t know the details of their dispute, but Diego is probably looking for allies to fight his war with.” Marco explained, and I slightly shook my head.

I knew it. Diego wouldn’t just start looking to form alliances for no reason.

“I told you.” I muttered, turning to look at Marco. “Not all the glitter is gold.”

He sighed, nodding in agreement.

“If that is all, then-”

“That’s not all.” He cut me in, and I narrowed my eyes, curiously waiting for what he wanted to add.

“He’s seeking an alliance through marriage with Moretti’s.” He told me, and I slightly nodded.

It wasn’t something I didn’t know already. Since I refused to marry his daughter, he’ll obviously offer to marry her off to Roberto’s son-Matteo.

“I know,” I replied before turning around and continuing on my way.

“His son Liam wants to marry Rosalinda.” He elaborated, causing me to stop in my tracks and abruptly turn to look at him.

“What?!” I exclaimed as an unfamiliar feeling of hurt and jealousy gnawed and pulled at my chest.

Marco nodded, confirming what he just said. “Liam is to marry Rosalinda as part of the agreement.”

“Liam?” I repeated, recalling the experience I had at the store earlier today.

Rosalinda called the figlio di puttana who dared to press his gun to my stomach, Liam, and I knew that it couldn’t be a coincidence that he knew my name. So he was Diego Romano’s son.

That explained his balls!