All Chapters of The Queen's War (Book one of The Mafia Throne): Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The third day in Dubai started lazy and slow.They had breakfast on the terrace—fresh fruit, pastries, strong coffee—neither in any rush to do anything productive."What do you want to do today?" Dante asked, watching Arabelle over the rim of his coffee cup.“I have no idea, seriously." She stretched in her chair, the movement making her loose tank top ride up slightly. "Maybe swim. Maybe read. Definitely drink.""Drink? It's ten in the morning.""We're on vacation. The rules don't apply." She grinned. "Besides, when was the last time you day-drank just for the hell of it?""Never, actually.""Then today's the day." She stood, heading inside. "I'm changing into my swimsuit. You should too."Twenty minutes later, they were both in the pool.The water was perfect—warm but refreshing, crystal clear, with a view of the ocean beyond. Dante had brought down a bottle of champagne and two glasses, setting them on the pool's edge."To absolutely nothing," Arabelle toasted, raising her glass."

"Are you sure this is safe?" Arabelle asked, eyeing the massive four-wheel drive vehicle with skepticism.Dante laughed, pulling her closer. "It's a desert safari, not a death wish. Thousands of tourists do this every day.""Tourists who aren't married to mafia bosses with multiple people wanting them dead.""Which is exactly why we have three security vehicles following at a discreet distance." He kissed her temple. "I promised you adventure, remember? Real vacation experiences?""I was thinking more like parasailing or jet skiing.""We did that yesterday. Today, we're doing dunes." He helped her into the vehicle where their guide, a cheerful Emirati man named Hassan, was waiting."Mr. and Mrs. Valerio!" Hassan greeted them warmly. "Welcome! You are ready for the best desert experience in Dubai?""She's ready," Dante said, settling into the seat beside Arabelle. "She just doesn't know it yet."The drive out of the city was beautiful—gleaming skyscrapers giving way to endless golden s

"So guys, let's play a game," Clara suddenly said as the credits rolled on the movie they'd all just finished watching.Dante looked up from his phone where he'd been responding to a message from one of the underbosses. "A game?""Yes, a game. You know, just to round up the night.” Clara stretched out on the opposite couch, looking pointedly at her brother. "We've all been so tense this past week. Giovanni's better, everything's back to normal, and we're all acting like we're waiting for the next disaster.""That's because there's usually a next disaster," Massimo said from his seat near the fireplace, but there was amusement in his voice."Exactly my point. We need to decompress." Clara sat up, her eyes bright with determination. "One night where we're not talking business, not worrying about territories or enemies or hospital visits. Just... us."Arabelle set down her wine glass, intrigued. "What kind of game are we talking about?""I don't know yet. That's why I'm asking." Clara lo

Massimo pulled up to the estate gates at exactly eight o'clock. Clara was already waiting outside, wrapped in a leather jacket against the evening chill."You didn't have to wait outside," he said as she slid into the passenger seat."I needed the air." She buckled her seatbelt, her fingers fidgeting with the strap. "Where are we going?""I really don't know." He pulled away from the estate, heading toward the city. "We could just go anywhere.""Anywhere isn't bad.” Clara smiled.They drove in silence for a while, the city lights beginning to flicker on as dusk settled over the streets. Clara watched Massimo's profile, the strong line of his jaw, the way his hands gripped the steering wheel with casual confidence."I'm sorry about last night," she said finally. "About Dante putting you on the spot like that.""You don't need to apologize for your brother.""Still. It was uncomfortable for both of us."Massimo glanced at her. "Was it though? Uncomfortable because he asked, or uncomfort

"Did you hear that? It's coming from your room, Dante." Massimo said in the middle of the discussion."Arabelle!" Dante realized and rushed out of the room with full speed.Massimo and Clara were right behind him as he took the stairs three at a time, his heart pounding with dread. That scream—the raw pain in Arabelle's voice—meant something terrible had happened.He burst through the bedroom door to find his wife standing in the middle of the room, still wrapped in a towel, her wet hair dripping onto the carpet. Her face was streaked with tears, her eyes red-rimmed and hollow. In her trembling hands, she clutched a manila envelope and what looked like old, yellowed documents."Arabelle, what happened?" Dante moved toward her instinctively."Don't." She held up one hand, stopping him. Her voice was flat, empty. "Don't come any closer.""What's wrong? What is that?"She laughed—a broken, bitter sound that made his chest tighten. "This? This is the truth. The truth you've been hiding fr