Antonio
“Cecilia took her to the bus stop and let her go?” Dante asks, disbelief lacing his tone.
“Yes.” The edge in my voice betrays my frustration, and my knee bounces uncontrollably. “And I wouldn’t have given a damn if Draco hadn’t made that ultimatum.”
“What are you going to do?” Dante presses, his eyes narrowing as he studies me.
“I can’t afford to make an enemy out of Draco Moretti. I’m running on fumes here.” I lean back, letting my head fall against the seat. “I don’t have a choice. I have to find Alessia and marry her.”
“Any clue where she might be?”
“None.” I exhale sharply. “Alessia promised Cecilia she’d call once she settled somewhere, but she never did.”
“You checked her phone?”
“Of course I did. There’s nothing,” I say, my voice flat.
“She can’t have gone far.”
Dante leans back, arms crossed. “So, what’s the plan?”
I rub my temples, trying to ease the pounding in my skull. "I wish I had a damn clue."
The truth is, part of me wouldn’t have cared if Alessia had just disappeared. If she’d started over somewhere far away where this life couldn’t touch her. Hell, after everything she’s been through, she deserves at least that much.
But Draco’s ultimatum changes everything. It wasn’t a suggestion—it was a threat. A reminder that he’d sacrifice anything, including his daughter’s happiness, if it means securing more power.
If I let Alessia slip away, Draco will back out of our alliance and may become a threat to my family. I can’t let that happen, not when the dust hasn’t fully settled from the chaos Valentino caused.
Keeping the peace is all that matters, and if marrying Alessia is the price I have to pay, then so be it. I’ll search every corner of the globe until I find her and bring her back—bring her home, to be mine. Whether either of us likes it or not.
“Do you really think she’ll come back without a fight?” Dante breaks into my thoughts.
A bitter laugh escapes. “Does it matter? She doesn’t have a choice. Neither of us does.” The words taste like ash in my mouth. “I’ll drag her back kicking and screaming if I have to.”
Dante nods, but there’s something in his eyes—pity, maybe? I don’t need it. I don’t want it.
My family and our business, they’re all that matter. Following in my uncle’s footsteps, keeping everyone safe, maintaining peace on the streets—that’s my priority.
I’ll find Alessia, and she’ll become my wife. Even if it means becoming the very monster I swore I’d never become.