All Chapters of Bound To The Mafia Don: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

FLORA"Absolutely not,” I said, crossing my arms as I stared down at Dante from across the penthouse living room. "I'm not going into hiding."Dante's jaw tensed visibly as he kept pacing around, and the ankle monitor blinked with each forceful step he took. The morning sunlight coming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows made his shadow appear very long across the marble floor. He hadn't slept throughout the night. The dark circles under his eyes and the rough stubble on his jaw told me that much."This isn't negotiable, Flora. Anthony's threat was explicit." His voice was low and controlled, but I could hear the edge of fear underneath it. Not for himself, because Dante Romano had never feared for himself, but for me.After discovering Anthony Ricci was alive and was now targeting me, Dante had spent the entire night either on the phone or pacing around the entire penthouse. By morning, he had arranged for a federal safe house three states away, complete with a new identity and 2

FLORA"This isn't a proposal," Dante clarified quickly. "Not yet. I'm still a man under federal supervision, rebuilding a new legacy, different from the one that was tainted by generations of blood. But it's a promise that if we survive this, I want to build something real. I want something legitimate with you, Flora."I stared at the ring in awe as its stones caught the moonlight. After everything we had been through—the fear, the betrayal, the violence—this moment of tenderness felt almost unreal."We're going to survive," I told him as I let him slip the ring onto my right hand. "And then I'm going to hold you to that promise."He pulled me against his chest, and for a moment, we were just a man and woman looking toward the future, not a crime boss and his unlikely partner planning for war.***Morning arrived too quickly. I sat at a table in the newly rebuilt Romano restaurant, drinking a cup of coffee I really couldn't taste. The space had been transformed since the bombing attac

FLORAThe entire room froze. Dante’s whole body was tense beside me, and it looked as though his body was coiled like a spring."Don't," Dante warned his father. His voice was low but he sounded really deadly."Or what?" Antonio taunted. "This is how it ends, son. With you watching as I take everything you care about, piece by piece." His finger tightened on the trigger. "Starting with her.""If you touch her, I will tear you apart with my bare hands,” Dante said. Each word was sharp enough to cut glass,Antonio's smile widened. "You’re finally showing some Romano spirit, Dante. But unfortunately, it's too late." His eyes met mine. "You look just like your mother," he added. For a moment, his features turned ugly with rage. "You have the same defiant look she had. I hated that look.""You knew my mother," I said, stalling. My heart was racing."I knew everyone in Carlo's life," Antonio said. "Including the woman who tempted my brother away from his loyalty to this family. Your mother

FLORA"It's not your decision, Romano. If he has some pretty good intel—""He's a Ricci," Dante replied, cutting him off immediately. "His father conspired with mine to destroy everything I've built. And you want to let him walk?"Salvatore stepped forward. "He's right, Harrison. Anthony can't be trusted. Who knows? This could be another trap,” he said."Or it could be our best lead," Harrison countered. "I'm not saying we should trust him blindly, but we need to listen to what he has to say. We have to know what he knows."Dante and Harrison stared each other down for several more seconds before Dante finally gave a small nod. "Fine. But I want to be there when you question him.""That's not how this works," Harrison told Dante firmly. "You're a witness, not an agent, Dante Romano.""Then I'm walking out that door with my sister and Flora right now," Dante said. His tone left no room for negotiation. "And I’m taking all of my cooperation with me too."Agent Harrison narrowed his eyes

FLORAThe drive back to Dante's penthouse was quiet as both of us were lost in our thoughts. Dante's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, and his jaw was clenched so tight that I worried he might crack a tooth."Are you okay?" I finally asked."My father killed my uncle," he said flatly. "My father killed the man who was more of a father to me than he ever was in the short period I knew him." He laughed bitterly. "So no, I'm not okay."I placed my hand on his arm and rubbed it comfortingly. "I'm sorry, Dante."He covered my hand with his, but his eyes never left the road. "Don't be. This just confirms what I already knew: Antonio Romano is a monster. And all monsters need to be put down."Sofia was waiting for us in Dante's office, and her face was stony as she sat behind three laptops, scrolling through financial data. "You need to see this," she said without preamble. Then she turned one of the screens toward us."What am I looking at?" Dante asked, leaning over her shoulder.