Against the Mafia's Odds

ing through the quiet afternoon. He stepped inside, making his way to Don Vincenz

voice warm but laced with fatigue. His eyes crinkled

respectfully. "Good

y the door. Without needing to say much, Dante took hold of the

s white walls in a golden glow. Dante inhaled deeply, the crisp air

sharp as he rolled Don Vincenzo towar

to something unreadable. "She had urgent business

air handles, a flicker of disappointment

row mo

ce, the brief ache in his chest didn't subsid

ttered, his voice carrying a weight of tr

sion between them. "I know, sir. You'll rest better at home." He helped the Don

urned into the long driveway, the mansion came into view-a grand, imposing structure of towering columns and intricately carved stonework. The iron gates sw

already waiting. She bustled toward them, her sharp eyes scanning Don Vincenzo w

fussing over the Don as she helped

the visitor's restroom and made to leave. As he turned the cor

o the rippling water, her dark hair sh

fi

was supposed to

. Had she lied? Was the trip a cover? Or had it been cancel

cleared his throat, his

recognition softened her features into

ite the confusion building in him. "I was just dropping off your father." He took a

ing the cool stone of the foun

head, his curiosi

ething crossing her face before

lightly. "That's g

ays wanted. But..." She faltered, her fingers tracing absent patterns against

ncertainty in her voice was unmistakable. "Y

frustration clear. "That's easy for you t

t but steady. "I raised my sister, Francesca, after our parents died. I

between them seemed to crack. She shifted, her stance easing as they stoo

rning to the air. "But you shouldn't spend your best y

tension slipping from her shou

house, then back at h

h him," Dant

relief flickering across h

they both moved at the

them vanished, her face inches from his. Dante could feel the

rvous laugh, stepp

"I think I have a way to prevent us from

eyebrow. "Oh?

othly. "You go first.

head. "That actually so

e, but Dante calle

d back at him, her ga

ed by something more genuine.

ightly, her gaze lingering on his. The soft flush on her

r voice softer this time. A smile

till fixed on her-on the way she had hesitated, the uncertainty

t it-that undeniable

r, to close the distance, to taste the uncertain

boss's only daughter. U

ching his fists. Some lines

walked through, he knew something was about to change. It w