All Chapters of SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

Dahlia’s POVLuca and I stayed in the shower for a long time — honestly, way longer than we planned. Time felt strange in there, like it stopped just for us. Warm water poured over our skin in gentle streams, the bathroom filling with steam until the glass walls looked like they were swallowed by clouds. Every touch felt extra intense with the water running between us. Luca kept pulling me close as if letting go for even a second would physically hurt him.His hands moved slowly over my waist, tracing the curve of my hips like he was memorizing me all over again. I had to hold his shoulders to steady myself because my legs felt like jelly every time his mouth found my neck. He kissed me there lazily, like he wanted to spend forever just tasting my skin. Then he backed me into the tiles — not rough or demanding — just close, warm, playful. We bumped into the wall, laughing like teenagers sneaking around.We kissed and kissed and kissed. So much that I had to gasp for breath. His lips w

Dahlia’s POVHe chuckled, that soft low sound I loved hearing. He held all the bags easily like they weighed nothing while I continued picking things. I bought perfume for Andrea, a leather wallet for Luca even though he tried to say he didn’t need it, and hair clips shaped like roses for myself.We kept walking hand in hand through the mall, talking about random things — food, music, what Italy was like when he was younger, how Andrea used to follow him everywhere as kids. He looked almost soft when he talked about her, like she was someone he would protect with his life.It made me see him differently, a sweeter side hidden under all the power and danger.Soon my stomach growled loudly — loud enough for him to hear. I covered my face, embarrassed, and he laughed.“You’re hungry,” he said, like it was the cutest thing ever. “Let’s go eat.”I nodded eagerly. We walked out of the mall, the doors sliding open as warm Italian air brushed against my skin. The sunlight hit us and everythin

Dahlia’s POVLuca pulled up to the hotel and I straightened my clothes real quick. My skirt was all bunched up from how wet I got teasing him in the car. I also put on my panties. Luca got out and opened my door like a gentleman, but his eyes were dark and hungry. He grabbed my hand tight and we walked into the fancy hotel lobby. My heart pounded as we waited for the elevator. His fingers squeezed mine, like he was already in charge.The elevator dinged and we stepped in. As soon as the doors closed, he pushed me against the wall and kissed me hard. His tongue shoved into my mouth, tasting like mint and want. I kissed back, my hands on his chest feeling his muscles under the shirt. But he pulled away when the doors opened on our floor. He led me down the hall to our big suite, swiped the keycard, and yanked me inside.The door barely clicked shut before Luca was on me. His lips crashed into mine again, rough and needy. His big hands grabbed my ass and lifted me up easy. I wrapped my l

Dahlia’s POV“My childhood…” he finally began, voice low, “wasn’t really a childhood.” He gave a small, humorless laugh. “I was raised to take over my father’s empire. Guns, money, power. Lessons about loyalty and control came before learning how to ride a bike.”My heart squeezed. That sounded lonely.I nodded gently, encouraging him to continue. “And your parents?” I asked, careful this time.He went quiet for a moment. Really quiet. His jaw tightened a little and he looked to the side like he was remembering something far away. The lights around us flickered softly, the music played slow and low in the background, but in that moment everything felt still.“They’re gone,” he said at last. “Dead.”I whispered, “I’m so sorry,” but he shook his head like he wasn’t finished.“How did they…?” I didn’t even complete the sentence.He spoke slower now, like each word was heavy. “My mother loved my father more than she loved herself. She worshipped him. But he—” Luca swallowed hard, gaze dar

Dahlia’s POVThat night felt like it belonged only to us. We made love with the city outside our window glowing like a field of stars, and the bracelet, the one he’d gifted me with so much tenderness, was the only thing I had on. It glittered against my skin every time he touched me, like it wanted to witness everything, memorize it. Luca’s hands were slow, careful at first, like he was savoring me, and then deeper, like he couldn’t get close enough. I kept my eyes on him, on the way he looked at me, like he was worshipping every breath I took. The pleasure came in waves, soft then overwhelming, and when I cried out his name, he held me tighter, his lips on my neck, whispering things in Italian I didn’t even understand but felt.Afterward, we lay tangled in sheets and in each other. My cheek rested over his heartbeat, his fingers tracing circles down my back until sleep pulled us under. I remember thinking I never wanted to forget that night.Morning was slow — lazy in the sweetest wa