Against the Mafia's Odds

Dante's stomach twisted-why was Marco calling so early? Marco was his colleague, one of his closest allies. They worked together under Don Vincen

swered, his voice

situation," Marco's urgent v

ddenly wide awak

assed out. The nanny rus

ew off the covers, his min

rst-case scenarios. He knew that the Don wasn't getting any younger, but this w

waiting room, his attention fixed on a folder. When Marco saw him

e asked, not needing t

. But they say he'll pull through." He paused. "He's ho

ew words, but those words always c

the hall. Room 312. Be careful with him. The

ded toward the room

in a flood of natural light. The atmosphere was calm-almost too calm, given the situation. The soft beeps

hand, the clear liquid flowing steadily through the tube.

the woman from the club the previous night. He blinked, trying to place the conn

of recognition sparked in hers, f

They hadn't exchanged words the night before, yet here he was, standing in the do

quickly refocused on Don Vincenzo, trying to keep herself grounded. He needed her. The last thing she could afford wa

hough trying to recall what had brought him here. His mind seemed foggy, strugg

she said, her voice trembling

as he tried to make sense of her presence. "When did you get back

xpected him to react this way, but seeing him awake and still

tion and tenderness. "I stayed at Isabella's place. I wanted to surprise you. But

hand in hers. The rush of emotions made it hard to bre

intly. "Good... good.

een standing in the doorway, processing the new information. The wo

me in," Don Vincenzo's

s thoughts still in turmo

breaths. "I... I don't know. I felt a sharp pa

r more answers, but the old man needed rest

Dante... this is my daughter, Sofia. She's been li

ly. Her gaze shifted toward him, a rush of mixed emotions swirling ins

zes. The tension between them was palpable, like an electr

Sofia said softly, b

dded. "L

ad you're meeting. Dante..." He paused, his voice l

ebrows sho

. You know what our family's... business entails. There are those who would stop at nothing to get to her, to use he

mise formed in his chest-a promi

re complicated than he had anticipated. The weight of his duty pressed down on him, but something in her e

ld change everything-how it would drag him into