All Chapters of Forced To Be The Mafia King's Bride: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Dante’s POVI turned Gia around to face me.Her lashes were wet, her cheeks blotched and red from crying.Without saying a word, I lifted her into my arms. Her body trembled against me, but she didn’t resist like before. The fight had drained out of her, and for a second, I saw a raw, broken emotion flash through her eyes before she looked away.She curled into me like a wilted flower folding inward, soft and instinctive, as if I were the only thing holding her together. The simplicity of it, so innocent, so unguarded, punched a hole straight through my chest. I didn’t want to lean into the feeling that clawed its way up, so I buried it deep, where it couldn’t touch me.With her in my arms, I walked over to the chair and sat down, keeping her cradled close against my chest.For a long moment, I just held her, giving her space to breathe, letting her settle. So she knew that she wasn’t going anywhere.My gaze roamed over her face again, swollen and flushed, her lips parted around small

Dante’s POVI sat in the back, eyes fixed on the road ahead as the city faded behind us, replaced by trees and open land. Bruno was driving fast, but not reckless. He knew better than to waste a second.My chest was tight, and it had nothing to do with the seatbelt. I hadn’t felt this kind of fear in years. I called Seline three times. No answer. I called Ariel a dozen more, and still nothing. Each unanswered ring sent my mind spiraling through every worst-case scenario.My throat was dry. My fingers clenched around my phone like I could squeeze answers from it. I didn’t even realize how hard I was gripping it until Bruno spoke from the front seat.“She’ll be fine,” Bruno finally said, voice low, eyes on the road ahead. “You know how she gets sometimes... when...”“Don’t,” I cut in, harsher than I meant to. I didn’t need him to finish that sentence. Didn’t need the reminder.Bruno knew when to shut up. He’d been with me long enough to recognize when I was spiraling. Only a few men kne

Dante’s POV Seline closed the distance between us, her pleading eyes locked onto mine. “Please,” she whispered, “let this go. For Esmeralda.” “No.” My voice intensified. “You don’t get to tell me to let this go.” My palm slammed against the desk, the sound cracking through the room. “You weren’t there when I found out Arielle and Esmeralda were missing. You didn’t feel that panic, knowing I might never see them again. And when I finally did…” My throat burned. “When I finally saw them, that bastard shot at Esme as she ran to me. Over and over.” Her eyes widened. I didn’t stop. “You didn’t see him smile with those damn golden teeth while she fell right here.” I jabbed a finger toward the floor. “She died in my arms, Celine. Your sister bled out while I begged her to stay alive, for us.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…” “You never mean to,” I cut in coldly. “Let me make this clear, I don’t care if it takes fifty years. I’ll wait as long as it t

Gia’s POV I stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped snugly around me, another clutched in my hand as I rubbed the damp from my hair. My head was tilted to the side, half-lost in the simple rhythm, until I saw him. Dante sat in the chair facing the bed, broad shoulders relaxed, owning the space with that effortless authority that always sent a chill down my spine. His gaze pinned me in place, as if he’d been waiting for this exact moment. My heart lurched in fear the moment I saw him. The towel slipped from my hand and dropped soundlessly to the floor as I instinctively stepped back, only for his voice to cut through the air, deep and commanding. “Gia, don’t run.” I stopped dead, goosebumps racing over my skin. “Come here,” he ordered, the edge in his tone making it impossible to mistake the difference between a request and a command. My legs felt like lead, but I forced myself forward, his gaze burning into me with every step until I stood before him. The memory of his of

Gia’s POVDante’s voice was rough and dark.The memory of his hand striking me in his office flared hot, sending heat to places I couldn’t stop.Fear and desire mixed inside me, and before I even realized it, I nodded.He leaned in close, forcing my chin up until my eyes locked with his.“I’d hate to mark the tender skin I just caressed… but I will if you lie to me again. Are we clear?”I swallowed hard, nodding.“Pretty doll,” he pressed, tone low and commanding. “Use your words.”“Yes,” I breathed, my voice trembling. “This morning… I had my first kiss with you.”His mouth curved into a smirk. His fingers trailed lower, his eyes dragging over my chest until my nipples tightened under his feathery touch.Tiny shocks raced through me as he brushed his fingers across the swell of my breasts, teasing down until he grazed a nipple. I gasped at the jolt that tore through me.“How about here?”His smile turned cocky as his hand traveled lower, sliding down my abdomen until they slipped bet