All Chapters of SUBSTITUTE BRIDE FOR THE MAFIA DON: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Dahlia’s POVMy eyes widened, a jolt of shock racing through me. My stomach twisted, and heat rushed to my face so fast I thought my entire body was on fire. I knew exactly what it was, but my mind scrambled, trying not to think about it, trying not to imagine what it meant.I swallowed, my throat dry, my lips trembling as I tried to form words. But his stare pinned me down harder than his hand ever could. He was so close, so unyielding, so utterly impossible to ignore.My chest rose and fell quickly, pressing lightly against his with each shaky breath I took. The space between us was too small, too dangerous.I couldn’t stop the blush spreading across my skin. My whole body felt alive, burning, like every nerve was awake. And all I could do was stare back at him, trapped beneath his weight, wondering what he was thinking—wondering what he was going to do next.His body hovered above mine, so close that I could fe

Luca’s POVAs I walked into the bathroom, I slammed the door shut harder than I meant to. The sound echoed off the walls, making the silence feel heavier. My chest rose and fell, tight with frustration. I told myself not to think of her, not to think of what just happened—but my mind didn’t listen. It never listened when it came to her.Every time I tried to shove her out of my head, she came right back in, clearer than before. Dahlia. Her face, her lips, the way her eyes had softened when she looked at me. My body remembered it too well. My length grew hard inside my pants, straining painfully, throbbing with the memory of how close she had been. My jaw tightened until it ached. Even her sweet smell clung to me, wrapped around me like I couldn’t escape it. Soft, warm, sweet—it drove me out of my mind.I twisted the shower knob, letting the water rush out. Steam filled the bathroom fast, the air turning hot and damp. The hiss of the water hitting the tiles should have been loud enough

Dahlia’s POVWhen the door finally clicked shut behind him, I let out the breath I had been holding. It came out shaky, almost like a sigh of relief and nerves all tangled together. My shoulders slumped, and I sank back against the pillows. The credit card rested flat against my chest, and for a moment I just stared at it, the shiny black surface catching the light.A small, nervous laugh slipped out of me. What in the world was I supposed to get for the governor? A man like him probably had more money than I could even imagine. Power, influence, expensive suits, cars, houses… he could buy anything he wanted whenever he wanted. My laugh faded, and my chest tightened. What gift could ever impress someone like that?I pressed the card tighter against my chest like holding it closer would give me the answer. My thoughts spun in circles, none of them useful. I needed help.

Dahlia’s POVWhen I got downstairs, I saw a man standing near the front door. He looked like he’d been waiting for me for a while because his posture was straight and alert, hands clasped neatly in front of him. He was tall—easily over six feet—with broad shoulders that filled out his dark suit perfectly. His hair was a soft brown, neatly trimmed, and his eyes matched, a deep shade of warm brown that somehow still managed to look serious. His jaw was sharp, his expression calm but unreadable, like someone who didn’t show emotions easily.As soon as he noticed me, he gave a small respectful nod. “Good morning, Mrs. Romano,” he said in a deep, smooth voice. It wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t warm either—just professional. “I’m Liam, your personal bodyguard.”I stopped a few feet away from him and nodded, trying to act confident even though I felt awkward. “Hello,” I said quietly, my fingers playing with the hem of my blouse. “It’s nice to meet you.”He gave a short nod, his face not changing

Dahlia’s POVThe car came to a slow stop in front of the boutique, its sleek glass walls gleaming under the sun. From the outside, it looked like something out of a magazine—tall white pillars, gold lettering above the door, and mannequins dressed in elegant gowns standing proudly behind spotless windows. My heart fluttered a little as I looked at it. I hadn’t been inside a place like this in a long time.Liam got out of the car first, as always, moving with the kind of discipline that told me he took his job far too seriously. By the time I reached for the door handle, he was already there, opening it for me.“Thank you,” I said quietly as I stepped out, my heels clicking softly on the pavement.He gave me a small nod, his brown eyes scanning the area like we were entering enemy territory instead of a clothing store.“I’ll go in with you,” Liam said, his voice deep and firm, breaking