DANTE
I've had a knack for being impulsive in the oddest moments. As a child, it didn't matter if I had to jump into a pool just to get my lucky coin, or step onto the road in pursuit of my dog, 'Lucky'. I'd leap before even giving it a thought.
So, when Amara had dangled that dangerous proposal in front of me, it all felt too good to be true. A fake proposal? How the hell would that solve anything? I'd have Viktor on my ass and for sure, her brothers definitely wouldn't sit by idle.
But she was right about one thing. There was a lot to gain by agreeing to this relationship. For one, I could get all the info I need to ruin the Vitale family once and for all. Viktor was sure to have some dirt on him, something I could use against him.
And Amara would lead me to it.
She still seemed to be at a loss for words, eyes lingering on the ring on her finger.
"Oh, my goodness."
"I can't believe it."
I turned to the onlookers, who were now taking pictures and gushing at us. Amara finally snapped back, suddenly aware of how many eyes were on us. She inched close, face barely an inch away from mine.
"You brought us to this place on purpose, didn't you?"
My gaze dropped to her lips. "Everybody likes a good show."
Her eyes seemed to burn with an indescribable fire. I knew she'd shoot me five times in the head if given the chance right there and then. But she couldn't do anything. Not now. Not when she'd already agreed to something that would be her own undoing.
_
Of course, as soon as news of our engagement hit the news, the whole mafia world seemed to shake from the grenade.
I suggested we stay at my safehouse for the time being since Amara couldn't go back home. Viktor surely wouldn't take kindly to her after what happened at the airport. Especially with that friend she mentioned.
"He's definitely dead." I sighed, handing her back the phone.
For a second, I thought she might burst into tears. "You think I don't know that?"
Without a word, she made her way back to the chair she'd been sitting on. All through the morning, she'd been focused on her phone, no doubt reading through all the reactions to our engagement.
I wasn't moved by any of the bullshit congratulations. No. I was waiting. The Vitales had been silent for the past 24 hours. It was like a time bomb was slowly ticking.
My phone blared, the ringing breaking my thoughts for a second. It was Cassian. I muttered a curse before answering.
"Ciao."
"Engaged?" He yelled. "You're fucking engaged?"
"Pipe the fuck down. Need I remind you who you're talking to."
He sounded frustrated now. "It's just—Where are you?"
"One of the safehouses. The one in Harlem."
"Alright. I'll be there soon."
I ended the call and put the phone aside. No doubt I'd get an earful from him when he got there. It had all happened so suddenly that I'd barely sat down to think it through. But there was no turning back now. I just had to move forward with my plan.
Amara turned to me, eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Who di—"
The sound of commotion broke her off. We both exchanged glances for a second. I quickly made my way out of the house, moving straight towards the gate.
Of course, it was none other than Viktor himself. He was trying to push his way through some of my guards. And he looked pissed. As soon as his eyes landed on me, his anger seemed to multiply ten-fold.
"You fucking bastard." He growled. "I'm going to boil your insides."
"How hurtful. Is that how to speak to your future son-in-law?"
He was livid now. His gaze flickered to Amara and he seemed to see red. "You."
Amara swallowed, surprisingly still meeting her father's gaze. I expected her to cower in fear but she stared back in defiance.
That only pissed him off even further. "I'm going to kill you for disgracing me."
Before anyone could react, he pulled out a gun and fired two shots. Two of my men dropped instantly.
Quickly, I pushed Amara behind me, eyes dead set on the man. All the other guards took out their guns and aimed it at his head.
"You take another step towards her and I'll gut you where you stand."
Amara wasn't armed, so there was no way she could defend herself. I couldn't have her father hurting her yet. She was my pawn. When I'd be done using her, he could do whatever he saw fit with her.
"Dante!"
I looked up just in time to see Cassian run in. As soon as he spotted Viktor, his face creased and he quickly pulled out a gun.
The man's eyes scoured the perimeter, counting the number of people. He was painfully outnumbered. And I was sure he knew it. No doubt, the humiliation was like a slap to the face.
"She's my fiancée." I went on, the smirk never leaving my face. "Mine. The sooner you accept that, the better."
He turned his snarl to Amara who had slowly peeked forward. "Enjoy your little charade, daughter. The next time we meet, I'll make you pay for this disgrace."
With that, he dropped his gun and stormed off. I watched, making sure he was out of the perimeter before motioning for the guards to move. A couple of them moved the dead bodies while the rest went on to secure the house.
I turned to Amara. "We'll have to leave now. He knows we're here so it won't be safe for you."
"Dante." Cassian cut in.
I sent him a look, not saying anything. He got the memo, slowly heading into the house. We'd discuss later.
"That was Cassian," I explained to Amara when she turned to follow his movement. "Second in command, and underboss to the DeLaurentis family."
She nodded, taking all the information in. It didn't matter how much she eventually learned. Sooner or later, she'd lead me to all the secrets I want to know. And then, I'd watch her crumble into dust.
Slowly, I leaned closer to her, lips brushing against her ear. She didn't move, eyes occasionally following my movement.
"You wanted me as your shield, princess. But shields can be prisons too."
I slowly moved away. "Starting tomorrow, you'll be mine in every room we walk into. Beginning with our engagement party."