The Dons forbidden obsession

The black SUV stopped hard in front of the massive iron gates. My heart slammed against my ribs. I stepped out into the warm Naples evening, my white sundress sticking to my skin from the humidity. This was really happening. While I was finishing university in Barcelona, my mother Elena had fallen in love with Marco Romano. She moved into his world, married the retired Don, and finally found the happiness she had always wanted. I was happy for her. Truly. But her happiness came with a terrible price. Me. I was the final payment in the peace treaty between the Romano and Ferraro families. In ninety days, I would marry Nico Ferraro to end ten years of bloody war. My life traded away like a business deal. A woman in a black uniform came down the wide stone steps. “Signorina Sofia Reyes? I am Maria, head of the household staff. Welcome to the Romano villa. Please follow me.” I walked behind her into the enormous foyer. The place was breathtaking. High ceilings with crystal chandeliers, marble floors that gleamed, and walls covered in art that probably cost millions. This was not just a house. This was a fortress of old money and dangerous power. Maria spoke softly. “Signor Dante is preparing for an important meeting with his capos. He will not join dinner tonight. Don Marco and your mother are waiting for you.” Before I could answer, heavy footsteps echoed from the grand staircase. Dante Romano came down. He wore a sharp black suit that fit his tall, powerful body perfectly. His navy blue eyes locked on me immediately. My breath caught. He was even more intense in person. “So you are Dante,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “The man who sold me off for peace. Nice to finally meet my stepbrother.” Dante stopped at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes moved slowly over my body, from my face down to my legs, then back up. Heat rushed through me. “Sofia,” he said, his voice low and deep. “You arrived.” “Yes, I am here,” I replied. “Ready to be handed over like property. Are you proud of yourself?” He stepped closer. His scent, cedarwood and dark smoke, wrapped around me. My n*****s tightened under my dress. “I have a meeting I cannot miss,” he said. “Important territory negotiations. I will not be back until late.” “Of course you do,” I said. “Busy making decisions about other people’s lives while I lose mine.” His jaw flexed. His eyes dropped to my mouth for a second. “Maria will take care of you,” he said roughly. “Get some rest. We will speak tomorrow.” He turned and walked out. A powerful car engine roared outside and disappeared down the driveway. I let out a shaky breath. My body felt hot and restless. I hated him already, but the way he looked at me made my thighs press together. Maria showed me to a luxurious suite upstairs with a private balcony overlooking the sea. After unpacking, I joined my mother and Marco for dinner. Seeing them together, so happy and in love, made my chest ache. This was why I was sacrificing everything. Later that night, I could not sleep. I put on a thin silk robe and went downstairs for some air. I was standing in the grand foyer when the front doors opened. Dante walked in. His tie was loose. The top buttons of his shirt were open, showing his toned chest. His jacket hung over one shoulder. He looked powerful and exhausted at the same time. He saw me and stopped. The air between us changed instantly. It felt thick. Heavy. “You are still awake,” he said, his voice rough. He closed the doors behind him. “I could not sleep,” I answered. “Hard to rest when you know your entire future has been traded away like a business deal.” He walked closer. His eyes moved over my robe, lingering on my breasts and hips. My n*****s hardened against the thin silk. Heat pooled between my legs. “You should not be down here alone,” he said. “Why? Afraid I will run away, Dante?” I asked, my heart beating fast. “No,” he replied. “Afraid of what might happen if you stay.” My breath hitched. I wanted him to touch me. I wanted him to push me against the wall and take me right here. I hated myself for it. “You did this,” I whispered. “You are the one who made me a pawn. My stepbrother who sold me off.” Dante stopped just inches away. I could feel the heat from his body. “I know what I did,” he said quietly. His eyes burned into mine. “But looking at you now, it is harder than I thought it would be.” My n*****s were so hard they ached. I pressed my thighs together, trying to ignore the wetness between my legs. “Harder for you?” I asked. “Try being the one who has to marry a stranger because you decided it was best for your empire.” He leaned in slightly. His breath brushed my ear. “You have no idea how badly I want to fix that,” he murmured. My knees almost gave out. I wanted him so much it hurt. I wanted to hate him, but my body was screaming for him. “This is wrong,” I whispered. “I know,” he said, his voice strained. His hands stayed at his sides, but his fists were clenched tight. We stood there, staring at each other. The silence was loud. My body was on fire. His eyes told me he felt the same. Finally, Dante took a deep breath. “Go to bed, Sofia,” he said, almost like he was begging. He turned and walked up the stairs. I stayed there, breathing hard, my whole body achi ng for the one man I should never want. Ninety days. How was I supposed to survive ninety days of this?