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CHAPTER 16

Author: Nancy Grey
last update publish date: 2026-03-13 17:38:09

Andrea’s POV

"How could I not? He's gorgeous."

"Do you think that's his girlfriend?"

"I don't know. She doesn't seem his type."

"What does that mean?"

"I mean, she's pretty and all, but she seems kind of... plain? A guy that hot could have anyone."

I froze in the middle of pulling a dress over my head, my cheeks burning. They were talking about me. About Dante and me.

"Maybe she's rich or something," another voice suggested. "That would explain it."

"Or maybe he just feels sorry for her."

They
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  • SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON   CHAPTER 25

    Andrea's POVFour years later.It's been four years since I went to New York. Four years since my mom collapsed and I left in a panic, my lips still tingling from a kiss I didn't understand. Four years since I'd seen Luca's mansion, walked those marble hallways, sat in that library.Four years since I'd seen Dante.I just graduated from college with honors—a Bachelor's degree in English Literature with a focus on creative writing. My parents had been so proud when I walked across that stage in my cap and gown, their faces beaming from the audience. My mom, healthy and strong now, had cried happy tears. My dad had taken about a thousand pictures. It had been one of the best days of my life.Luca had been proud too. He'd sent me flowers—an enormous bouquet of roses and lilies that had barely fit in my dorm room—along with a card that said, "Congratulations, piccola. Always knew you'd do great things. Can't wait to celebrate with you."That had been three weeks ago.Since then, I'd moved

  • SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON   CHAPTER 24

    Andrea's POVMy hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer even though we were already pressed together. His lips moved against mine with a desperate intensity that stole my breath, like he'd been starving for this and couldn't hold back anymore.The kiss deepened, his tongue sweeping against my bottom lip, and I opened for him without thinking. The taste of him flooded my senses—mint and coffee and something uniquely Dante that made my head spin.His hand slid from my jaw into my hair, his fingers tangling in the strands, angling my head so he could kiss me deeper. A small sound escaped my throat—half gasp, half moan—and I felt him shudder against me.This was nothing like I'd imagined a first kiss would be. This wasn't sweet or gentle or tentative. This was desperate and hungry and consuming, like we were both trying to pour weeks of pent-up tension and want into this single moment.His other hand moved from my waist to my lower back, pressing me impossibly closer. I could feel e

  • SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON   CHAPTER 23

    Andrea’s POVHis voice stopped me in my tracks. He still hadn't turned around, still had his back to me, but somehow he'd known I was there.I stood frozen in the doorway, torn between running and staying."Andrea." Now he did turn, and even from several feet away, I could see the intensity in his dark eyes. "Please. Don't leave."Something in his voice—the rawness, the vulnerability—made my feet move forward instead of back. I walked through the French doors and onto the balcony, stopping a few feet away from him."How did you know I was there?" I asked quietly."I always know when you're near me." He said it simply, like it was an undeniable fact. "I heard about your mom. Luca told me." He paused, his jaw clenching. "I'm so sorry, Andrea."The genuine concern in his voice, the softness in his eyes, was my undoing. All the fear and panic and terror I'd been holding back since Luca had told me the news came rushing to the surface.A tear slipped down my face, then another, and then I

  • SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON   CHAPTER 22

    Andrea's POV"I know you do. That's why I already arranged everything." Luca reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, showing me a screen with flight details. "My private jet is fueled and ready at Teterboro. We can leave whenever you're ready."Relief and gratitude flooded through me, mixing with the fear and panic. "Thank you. Thank you so much.""You're family, Andrea. Of course I'm going to take care of you." He squeezed my shoulder. "Go pack whatever you need. I'll have Dante drive us to the airport."At the mention of Dante's name, something twisted in my chest, but I pushed it away. This wasn't about him. This wasn't about hurt feelings or complicated attraction or any of that. This was about my mother."Okay." I was already moving toward my closet, my mind racing. "Okay, I'll pack. Just give me ten minutes.""Take your time. The plane isn't going anywhere without you." Luca headed for the door, then paused. "Andrea? She's going to be okay. I really believe that."I wa

  • SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON   CHAPTER 21

    Andrea's POVThe rest of the week, I behaved exactly as Dante wanted me to act. Professional and distant.It was easier than I'd expected, honestly. Easier to shut down, to build walls, to become the polite, emotionless stranger he'd made it clear he wanted me to be. I stopped asking questions. Stopped trying to engage him in conversation. Stopped looking at him with anything other than cool indifference.When he drove me places—which Luca still insisted on, much to both our displeasure—I sat in the passenger seat and stared out the window in silence. When he stood nearby while I explored museums or bookstores or walked through Central Park, I pretended he didn't exist. When our eyes accidentally met across a room, I looked away immediately, my expression carefully blank.I became exactly what he'd accused me of being that day in the food court: a spoiled college girl who was just passing time until she could go home.Except I wasn't spoiled, and I wasn't just passing time. I was prot

  • SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON   CHAPTER 20

    Dante’s POVLeft, right, left, right. Over and over, putting all my strength behind each punch. My knuckles split after the first few minutes, blood smearing across the bag, but I didn't stop.I kept seeing her face. The way she'd looked at me in the food court when I'd taken that fry from her hand. The heat in her eyes, the slight parting of her lips, the flush on her cheeks.Left hook. Right cross.The way she'd challenged me in the store, telling those girls I was gay with that defiant tilt to her chin. Standing up for herself even if her method was completely insane.Uppercut. Jab.The way she'd looked sitting on that bed while I bandaged her knees. Vulnerable and strong at the same time. Trusting me to take care of her even though she had no reason to trust someone like me.Combination. Harder. Faster.The way her skin had felt under my palm. Soft and warm and perfect. The way she'd trembled slightly when I'd touched her thigh. The way those blue eyes had darkened with want.I hi

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    Dahlia’s POVThe hum of voices dipped lower the second Luca stepped into the room. It wasn’t silence, but it was close enough to feel strange, like someone had turned down the volume of the world just for him. Heads turned, conversations slowed, and I could feel the shift in the air. Some people whi

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  • SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON   CHAPTER 8

    Luca’s POVAs I stepped out of my bedroom, the heavy door clicked shut behind me, the sound echoing down the long, quiet hallway. But even with it closed, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. My new bride.She had been lying on my bed like a scared little thing, curled up with her knees close to her

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  • SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON   CHAPTER 16

    Dahlia’s POVOphelia walked back out after the last bag was unpacked, dusting her hands lightly. “Everything is arranged. If there’s anything you don’t like or need, we can replace it. Mr. Romano only wants the best for you.”I swallowed hard, not sure what to say to that. My chest felt tight, as i

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  • SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON   CHAPTER 13

    Dahlia’s POVTwo of them stood at the far end of the hall, and another was stationed closer to the stairs. Big men in black suits, built like walls. Their faces were unreadable, their stares fixed straight ahead, but I could feel it—the way they noticed me without actually looking. Like shadows tha

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