Purchased by the Mafia

6

Dante’s POV

I had forgotten to get her a ring. The question caught me off guard.

“They weren’t her size,” I said smoothly. “I sent it to be resized.”

My grandfather’s gaze remained fixed on Mia.

“Tell me about your father,” he said, voice firm but curious as he ate a shrimp.

Mia looked like she’d blacked out. Her nervousness was overwhelming. She looked like she’d forgotten everything she was taught to say.

I watched tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she looked at me.

Was she about to screw me over?

I had to act fast.

I grabbed a bottle of wine and poured it into her glass. Then I "accidentally" spilled it down the front of her dress.

“Oh my God!” Mia screamed, jumping up from her chair.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I said. “It was an accident. Let me take you to the restroom.”

The moment we were out of sight, I grabbed her hand and dragged her down the hall. I shoved the restroom door open and pushed her inside.

My hand was around her throat before the door closed.

I watched her struggle to breathe. Heat rose to her cheeks. Her face turned red.

“Please,” she winced, patting my back repeatedly.

I didn’t let go. My grip only tightened as she begged. I saw her life slipping away.

Tears fell down her cheeks as she closed her eyes, accepting her fate.

Then I dropped my hand.

She collapsed to the floor, gasping for air like she hadn’t breathed in years.

“Just in case you ever thought I’d think twice before killing you,” I said, voice low. “You’re wrong. It would take me one minute to end your miserable life.”

I kept my cold gaze on her.

“You had one f*****g job. Those were normal questions. Even a child could’ve answered them. You were taught exactly what to say. You’re nothing but trash. And the next time you make a mistake like that, I’ll send your head to your stupid old man.”

She covered her mouth, trying to hold back her sobs.

This pain was nothing compared to what she’d have gotten if she’d actually ruined it.

I stormed out of the room.

The second the door closed behind me, I smiled. Like nothing had happened.

I waited for Mia to clean up. Used it as an excuse to leave early. She said goodbye to my sister, the only one who bought our little stunt.

***

Later that night.

“Your grandfather has doubts,” Matteo said as I loaded bullets into my gun. “He thinks you paid Mia to act as your fiancée.”

“It’s normal,” I said, snapping the magazine in place. “I told him a few days ago I didn’t want to get involved with any women.”

“He plans to come to your house unannounced,” Matteo added. “To see what you and Mia are up to.”

“Thanks for the info.”

I expected that. He’s the hardest person to convince.

Matteo and I walked into the warehouse. One of my men was being held there.

Lucas.

He’d been feeding information about our drug and weapons importation to our rivals.

He still had no idea I knew. Just how I liked it.

I told the others we were having a meeting. I made sure every member was present. They needed to learn.

The warehouse smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. Dark. My Italian armed men moved from corner to corner. Security was priority.

Everyone straightened the moment they saw me.

The culprit, Lucas, had been with the Gambino cosca for a year. Sent by Leonardo’s Empire, once the most powerful mafia organization in Italy. Until we rose. No one could rival us now.

Leonardo sent Lucas to uncover the secret behind our success. He gained my trust. Got promoted above everyone else.

Then I found the traitor.

It was Lucas.

I hate being played.

“Lucas!” I called out.

“Yes, boss!” he responded, rushing out of the crowd.

The others thought I was going to commend him. I usually did.

Lucas bowed his head.

“You broke the Omertà code,” I stated.

“No, boss, I didn’t,” he said, hands raised in defense.

I knew he’d deny it.

They always do.

I’ve seen this pattern countless times. First the wide eyes. Then the stutter. Then the desperate hands raised like that would stop a bullet.

Lucas was no different.

“Please, boss. You’ve got it wrong,” he said, voice shaking. Sweat was already running down his forehead.

I didn’t answer.

I just stepped forward, raised my gun, and slammed the butt across his skull.

The c***k echoed through the warehouse.

Everyone panicked. Chairs scraped. Men flinched. A few younger ones took a step back.

They knew what this meant. Once the boss put hands on you in a meeting, you weren’t walking out.

“That wasn’t a question, you traitor,” Matteo said behind me, voice flat.

Lucas dropped to his knees, clutching his head. Blood was already dripping between his fingers.

“Please don’t kill me!” he cried. His voice broke. “I have a family. Kids. Please”

Now he knew there was a catch.

Now he understood.

I crouched in front of him, grabbed his chin, and forced him to look at me.

“You had one job, Lucas. Loyalty. You chose to play with me” I stood up and c****d my gun.

“The Omertà doesn’t take excuses. It takes blood.”

Without another word, I pulled the trigger.

A single shot to the head.

“I won’t hesitate to do the same to anyone,” I said, my voice cutting through the silence in the room. My eyes swept over every single man standing there. Let them remember this.

“The Gambino Cosca was built on blood, loyalty, and the Omertà code. We don’t tolerate betrayal. We don’t forgive it. And we sure as hell don’t forget it.”

I turned back to Lucas’s body on the floor.

“Cut off his head,” I ordered, calm. “Clean it. Put it in a box.

Send it to Leonardo’s as a birthday present for his wife. Her special day is in two days.”

I smiled. “Let’s see if she still wants cake after she opens it.”

The room stayed dead silent. No one breathed.