Lahat ng Kabanata ng SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON: Kabanata 101 - Kabanata 110

Dahlia’s POVAndrea and I spent the whole next day shopping, and honestly, it felt nice. The sun was hot but not too much, and the mall was busy, full of people laughing and carrying big shopping bags. We walked side by side, holding iced coffees, talking about random things—work, food, how expensive everything was. It was easy with her, like we had known each other for years instead of just weeks.Sometimes I caught myself staring at her and feeling guilty. She trusted me. She called me her friend. And meanwhile, I was still lying about my name. Denise. God. Every time she said it, something twisted in my stomach. I kept telling myself I’d explain soon. After Italy. When things calmed down. When I wasn’t so afraid of losing her. “Tell me again why we’re walking around for five hours?” I teased as we stepped onto the second floor.Andrea grinned and flipped her hair. “Because therapy is expensive, and shopping is cheaper.”“You’re a bad influence.”“And yet,” she said, pointing at me

Dahlia’s POVInside, everything smelled expensive—leather, vanilla, and something fresh like new paper. The seats were cream-colored and soft-looking, not stiff like airplane seats on commercial flights. A long couch sat against the wall, and above it were small windows showing the bright sky. There was even a tiny kitchen area with wine bottles and glasses neatly arranged.My mouth hung open like a tourist.“This is insane,” I whispered.“It’s just a plane, princess.”“Yeah, and I’m just the Queen of England,” I muttered.He chuckled, the sound deep and warm, and I hated how it made my heart flutter.The blonde hostess returned, walking slowly like she was on a runway. Her heels didn’t even make a sound on the floor. She stopped right in front of Luca, almost ignoring me again.“Can I offer you a drink before takeoff, Mr. Romano?” she asked, eyelids lowered like she practiced sexy blinking in a mirror.Luca shook his head politely. “No, thank you. We’re fine.”Her smile stretched wid

Dahlia’s POVHours later, the plane touched the ground with a soft bump, and my eyes fluttered open. I didn’t even know when I had fallen asleep. Luca unbuckled my seatbelt for me and helped me stand. My legs felt a little wobbly, but he stayed close, his hand steady at the small of my back.When we stepped out of the jet, the sunlight hit my face and the warm breeze wrapped around me. Three black cars were waiting on the runway, engines humming softly, guards standing by each door like statues. Everything felt so… serious. Important. Like Luca was someone the whole world watched.He placed a hand on my lower back and guided me toward the middle car. “Stay close,” he said quietly. I just nodded because my voice felt stuck in my chest.The guard opened the door for us, and I slid inside. The smell of leather filled the air, and the seats were so soft it felt like sinking into clouds. Luca sat beside me, closing the door with a heavy thud.As the convoy started moving, I pressed my face

Dahlia’s POVI groaned a little. “Because you don’t trust me?”He shot me a serious look that made my stomach flip. “It’s not about trust, baby. It’s about safety. I don’t take risks with you.”There was no arguing with that tone. It was the kind of voice that warned me not to push further.“Okay. I’ll stay with the guards,” I mumbled.He nodded once, approving. “Good girl.”That stupid nickname almost knocked the air out of me. I swear my knees felt weak just from those two words. He kissed me on the forehead, then on the lips—slow, like he wanted me to remember it while he was gone.“I’ll be back in a few hours,” he promised.“Don’t take too long,” I whispered.He gave me that soft smile that always confused me, like I meant more to him than he liked admitting. He walked to the door and opened it, then paused and looked over his shoulder.“The guards are waiting for you outside the elevator. If you need anything, call me.”“I will,” I said quietly, hugging my arms around myself.He

Dahlia’s POVThe change in him was immediate. His confident smirk faltered. His eyes widened, and for the first time, the arrogance slipped.“Romano?” he stuttered, his voice losing that cocky edge.“Yes,” I replied steadily, my tone soft but deadly serious.He quickly scanned the restaurant, finally catching sight of Luca. The man’s gaze landed on him, and I saw fear flicker in his eyes—the kind of fear that makes even a grown man lose his composure.“I… I’m sorry, ma’am,” he stammered, stepping back so quickly he nearly tripped over his own feet. His confidence had evaporated entirely. “I didn’t know—”He gave a nervous bow, and then, without another word, practically ran from the restaurant, like a shadow trying to escape daylight.I exhaled shakily, my chest heaving. The adrenaline still pulsed through me, making my heart pound in my ears. And all the while, Luca’s gaze never left me. I could feel the intensity, the silent warning burning through him. It was a look that said he co