Chapter 3
Izzy’s heart raced in her chest, a drumbeat that drowned out everything around her. The air felt too thick, pressing against her lungs, and for a split second, she thought she might choke on it. She locked eyes with Dante again, desperate to hold onto the remnants of herself that still fought against him. But the truth clawed at her from the inside out—he was right. There was no escaping him, no outrunning the shadow of his world. She had learned that the hard way. The hand that hovered near her shoulder, the one from the man in the suit who had grabbed her arm, made her flinch. His grip was firm, cold, and impersonal, but Dante’s eyes were what held her still. His gaze was like a brand, searing through her defenses, making her feel small, insignificant. She wanted to scream, to throw herself against the walls of the diner, to tear out of the suffocating grip of this moment, but her body betrayed her. It wouldn’t move. She couldn’t let him see her weakness, not now. Not ever again. "I won’t go with you," Izzy said again, her voice hoarse but resolute. It was a lie. She was already slipping, already unsure, and she hated herself for it. Dante took a slow step forward, so calm it almost unnerved her. "You will. You’re already part of this world, whether you admit it or not." His words were a soft, sinister hum beneath the surface, and the weight of them crushed down on her chest. His hand reached out, brushing her cheek once more—an intimacy that felt like a mockery now. Izzy flinched at the contact, but this time she didn’t pull away. His touch was like a ghost from their past, a reminder of the way things used to be before everything fell apart. She hated how her body responded to it, how it ached for something she couldn’t have, something that was long gone. "You think you're protecting her," Dante murmured, his voice smooth as silk, but there was a hardness beneath it. "Your daughter doesn’t stand a chance if you keep hiding from me." Izzy's stomach lurched. "You don't know anything about Maya," she spat, her voice thick with anger. "You don’t get to dictate her life." Dante’s lips curled, a cold smile spreading across his face as if he found her resistance amusing. "Oh, I know more than you think. And Maya is mine now, whether you like it or not." The words stung like a slap, more than anything he’d said before. The way he said it—so sure of himself, so damn confident—made her blood run cold. She felt the familiar pang in her chest, the one she tried so desperately to ignore, the one that reminded her of the life she’d left behind and the love she’d lost. But she wouldn’t let him have that power over her again. "I told you, Dante," Izzy said, her voice trembling but defiant. "I’m not going back. I won't be part of your world. Not now, not ever again." Dante’s eyes flickered with something—an emotion, a warning, maybe—but it was gone before she could name it. He stepped back, his hand falling from her cheek. The moment of tenderness, if it could even be called that, vanished, replaced by the hard, cold reality of the man he had become. He looked at her for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. Then he nodded once, a single sharp movement. "We’ll see, Izzy." His tone was final, like a door slamming shut. "You don’t get to decide this time. Not anymore." The man behind him stepped forward again, this time with more urgency. His fingers closed around her wrist with an iron grip, dragging her toward the door. Izzy’s heart pounded in her ears, the beat deafening. She twisted in his grasp, panic flooding her veins. "No!" she shouted, her voice raw with desperation. "Don’t you dare—" But the man didn’t slow down. He yanked her toward the door with a force that nearly had her stumbling. Izzy’s mind raced. There had to be something—anything—that could stop this. But as they passed the windows of the diner, she saw it. Two black cars were parked across the street, engines idling, their tinted windows reflecting the dim streetlights. More men. More eyes on her, watching from the shadows, waiting for her to make a wrong move. She felt the weight of them, pressing in from every direction. The feeling of being trapped, cornered, suffocated—it was all too familiar. The doors of the diner swung open with a heavy creak, and the cool night air hit her face, sharp and biting. Izzy stumbled, caught between the men, her pulse racing faster as she realized there was no escape. She glanced back one last time, searching for anything, anyone. Dante was standing just inside the doorway, his figure silhouetted against the dim light, watching her with that same cold, calculating expression. He didn’t move, didn’t speak. He didn’t have to. He already knew. Izzy had never felt so small. She was nothing but a pawn in his game, a piece he could move as he wished. And there was nothing she could do to change that. Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms. She would protect Maya. No matter the cost. Even if it meant stepping into Dante’s world again, even if it meant walking right into the hell she had fought so hard to leave behind. Because in the end, she would fight for her daughter. But in that moment, as the man shoved her into the back seat of the black car, Izzy couldn’t shake the feeling that she was already lost.A Perfect Forever It was a crisp spring morning, the air filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the gentle chirping of birds. The Vieri estate was buzzing with activity, a reflection of the joy and contentment that now defined their lives. Dante stood at the edge of the garden, watching his children play. Maya, now 12, was helping Sebastian and Sophia build a little fort from cushions and blankets. Their laughter was infectious, filling the air with warmth. Dante smiled—a genuine, unguarded smile that came effortlessly these days. Izzy walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “You look like you’re lost in thought,” she said softly. “I’m just… grateful,” Dante replied, pulling her closer. “Grateful for you, for them, for this life we’ve built together. I never thought I could have this.” Izzy tilted her head, looking at him with love shining in her eyes. “You deserve it, Dante. We all do. We worked for this, fought for this, and now, we get to enjoy it.
Special Chapter: The Turning Point The memory was as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. Dante sat alone in his study, a glass of whiskey in hand, staring out the window as the rain painted streaks against the glass. His mind wandered back to the night that had changed his life forever. The Obsession Begins. It was a quiet evening in Milan. Dante had just finished a high-stakes business meeting when he spotted her at the hotel bar. Izzy Romano. The woman who had unknowingly captured his attention for months. She wasn’t like the others. There was something about her—her serious demeanor, her quiet strength, the way she carried herself with dignity and poise. Dante couldn’t stay away. When their eyes met across the room, something clicked. A force he couldn’t explain pulled him toward her, and before he knew it, they were talking, the world around them fading into the background. By the end of the evening, he knew he couldn’t let her go. It had started with an invitatio
Epilogue: Forever Vieri The years rolled by like a gentle tide, carrying the Vieri family into a future they had only dreamed of. Dante's once-dark world had transformed into a haven of love and hope. The legacy he had built was no longer defined by power or fear but by the strength of his family and the joy they shared. It was a quiet morning at the Vieri estate. The sun bathed the garden in golden light, and birds chirped happily in the distance. Dante sat on the patio, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, watching Maya help Sebastian and Sophia with a new project—building a small birdhouse. “Careful, Sophia,” Maya said, her voice calm but assertive, much like her mother’s. “You don’t want to hit your finger with the hammer.” Sebastian grinned. “Or Maya will give you a lecture about safety—again.” Dante chuckled softly, sipping his coffee. His children were his pride, each of them embodying pieces of him and Izzy in their own unique ways. Izzy stepped out onto the patio, car
Final Chapter Years had passed since the chaotic days of battles, danger, and secrets. The Vieri family, once engulfed in the shadows of Dante’s past as a mafia lord, now stood as a beacon of love, unity, and triumph.It was a beautiful spring morning, and the Vieri estate was abuzz with excitement. Dante and Izzy had organized a grand celebration—a day not for battles or business but to cherish the life they had built together.The lush garden, adorned with twinkling lights and blooming flowers, was filled with close friends, family, and employees who had become family over the years. Maya, now 18, was radiant in a pastel dress, helping her younger siblings, 13-year-old Sebastian and Sophia, welcome the guests.“Daddy, do you think I can give a speech?” Maya asked as she linked her arm with Dante’s.Dante chuckled, placing a kiss on her forehead. “You’ve always had a way with words, sweetheart. Go for it.”Izzy appeared by his side, her beauty even more captivating with time. She wo
Chapter 117Four months had passed since the kids had started school, and now it was time for one of the most anticipated events of the year: the school’s Family Foundation Day. Excitement buzzed through the Vieri household as everyone prepared for the big day.“Sebastian, don’t forget your sneakers!” Izzy called from the kitchen, packing a basket with snacks for the picnic portion of the event.“Got them, Mommy!” Sebastian yelled back, bounding down the stairs with Sophia close behind.“Daddy said we’re doing the family relay!” Sophia chirped, already wearing her team shirt with the school’s logo on it.Dante appeared moments later, carrying Maya’s bag and looking every bit the proud dad. “Everyone ready?” he asked, his tone cheerful.Maya, who had been tying her sneakers, stood up and grinned. “I’m ready to win. Are you ready, Daddy?”Dante smirked, crouching slightly to meet his eldest daughter’s gaze. “Oh, you’re challenging me, huh? Be careful, Maya. Your old man’s still got some
Chapter 116The drive home from school was filled with nonstop chatter. Sebastian proudly announced that he’d already made two new friends, while Sophia excitedly described the classroom decorations, her little hands waving animatedly.Maya, sitting between them in the back seat, smiled indulgently as she listened. “You two are so loud,” she teased, nudging Sebastian. “But it sounds like you had a good day.”“We did!” Sophia chirped. “And the teacher is really nice, Maya! She said I’m good at coloring.”Sebastian added, “And I told her I’m going to be just as smart as my big sister someday!”Dante, driving, chuckled at his son’s declaration. “That’s a pretty high bar, little man,” he said, glancing at Maya in the rearview mirror. “Your sister’s already way ahead of the game.”Maya blushed slightly, but her grin widened. “Well, I can help you, Seb. And Sophie, too.”Izzy turned in her seat to look at them, her heart full as she watched the siblings interact. “I’m so proud of all of you
Chapter 115The next morning, the Vieri household buzzed with energy as everyone prepared for the first day of the new school term. Sebastian and Sophia were particularly excited—they were finally moving up to a new class and couldn’t stop chattering about the new toys and friends they’d encounter. Maya, now more poised and mature at twelve, took her role as an older sister seriously, helping to pack their bags and ensuring everything was in order.Izzy moved through the chaos with practiced ease, handing out lunchboxes and tying shoelaces while giving a quick once-over to everyone’s uniforms. “Sebastian, don’t forget your jacket!” she called, noticing him trying to sneak past the hallway without it.“Mommy, it’s not cold!” Sebastian protested but grabbed the jacket anyway.Dante appeared moments later, looking unusually relaxed in a casual button-down and jeans. It was rare for him to take a break from his busy schedule, but the first day of school was an important family tradition h
Chapter 114The sun had barely risen, casting a warm glow over the sprawling Vieri estate. Despite the late night of celebrating Maya’s birthday, the house was already alive with activity. Sebastian and Sophia were chasing each other around the kitchen, their giggles echoing through the halls. Maya sat at the breakfast table, her usual composed self, sipping on a cup of hot chocolate as she worked on a sketch in her new journal.Izzy entered the room with a fresh pot of coffee, her hair pulled back into a loose bun. She paused, taking in the sight of her children, and smiled to herself. The peace and joy in these quiet family moments were what she cherished most.“Good morning, my loves,” she greeted, setting the coffee pot on the counter.“Morning, Mommy!” Sebastian and Sophia chorused, barely glancing up as they continued their game.Maya looked up from her journal and offered her mother a soft smile. “Good morning, Mommy.”Dante appeared in the doorway, freshly showered and impecca
Chapter 113 The years had flown by, and life in the Vieri household was bustling with new challenges and joys. Maya, now turning 12, carried herself with an air of confidence beyond her years. Her serious demeanor often mirrored her grandfather's, earning her the affectionate nickname "The Little Boss" from the family. Meanwhile, Sebastian and Sophia, now 7 years old, brought boundless energy and laughter into their home, keeping everyone on their toes. Dante sat in his study, his gaze fixed on a recent photo of his family. He couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride every time he looked at them. His once-dangerous life as a mafia lord seemed like a distant memory, replaced with the fulfillment of being a devoted husband and father. Izzy walked in, holding a tray with coffee for Dante. “Lost in thought again?” she teased, setting the tray down and leaning against the desk. Dante smirked and reached for her hand, pulling her closer. “Just thinking about how lucky I am,” he said,