Purchased by the Mafia

2

DANTE'S POV

THREE DAYS Earlier

My suit was tailored. Black, well -ironed. The kind of suit that didn’t wrinkle, even when there was blood on it.

Two men flanked me, armed, with black suits and black shades on. Their footsteps echoed behind me as we walked into the underground tunnel. The air down here was damp. It smelled like concrete and rust. This was my place.

We stopped in front of a steel door. One of my men opened it. Inside, the room was empty and cold. A single chair in the center.

Alessandro was already there. Bound at the wrists and ankles, and blindfolded. His head hung forward. He’d been here for three days. No food, no water, no sleep. Just how I wanted it.

I let the silence stretch. Then I spoke. “Remove the blindfold.”

Without hesitation, one of my men stepped forward and tore it off.

Alessandro gasped. His eyes darted around the room, wild and panicked, searching for an exit that didn’t exist.

There was nothing here except him, the chair, and the two men standing guard.

When his eyes landed on me, they went wide. Recognition hit him like a punch.

“Dante,” I heard him whisper. His voice cracked. “Dante Gambino. Son of Mr. Gambino.”

I watched his throat bob as he swallowed. I could see it in his face. The memories, his mistakes. News traveled fast in our world. About what happened to men who stole from us.

Three months ago, Alessandro thought he was smart. He skimmed 2 million from the Gambino shipment, laundered it. He thought we wouldn’t notice. Thought we wouldn’t care. He was wrong.

I stepped forward. My shoes clicked against the concrete. “I’m sure you know why you’re here.” My voice was low and cold. It bounced off the walls.

Alessandro’s mouth went dry. He licked his lips. “What do you want from me?” he asked. Trying to sound brave. But he failed.

I tilted my head and studied him. “What you stole from me.” I pause. “What you owe me.”

“Steal?” His voice shook. “I didn’t steal anything. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The lie hung in the air. I found it stupid and Insulting. Did he really think I’d come down here for nothing?

I moved closer with my eyes fixated on him. People told me that was what made me look intimidating.

“You dare lie to my face?”

Alessandro shook his head. Tears started forming. “Please. You’ve got the wrong—” I didn’t let him finish.

My fist connected with his jaw.. The c***k echoed and his head snapped to the side. Blood hit the floor.

He was old enough to be my father. It didn’t matter. Age didn’t buy loyalty. And it definitely won’t buy forgiveness.

Alessandro choked on a sob. “I’ll do anything. Please. Just don’t hurt me.”

I heard those words every week, from men, from women. They all begged the same way when they realized there was no way out.

My smile grew cold. “I like that sound but It’s too late for apologies,” I said quietly.

“You should’ve thought about consequences before you touched the Gambino’s money.”

“Please,” he begged again. His voice broke. “Have mercy. I’m begging you. Don’t hurt me.”

I crouched in front of him. Close enough that he could smell my cologne. Close enough to see the fear in his eyes.

“Mercy,” I repeated. Like I was testing the word. Then I stood. “Mercy is for people who don’t steal from me.”

I gave a single, slow nod to one of my men.

That was it. Alessandro’s death sentence.

He read it in my eyes immediately. His begging turned ugly.

“Please! Spare me! I’ll do anything! I’ll give you everything I have!”

I let out a low chuckle. It bounced off the damp walls of the tunnel and died.

“Everything you have?” My voice was calm. Too calm.

“What could you possibly offer me, Alessandro? You’re dirt. You’re nothing. I’d rather put a bullet in you than waste breath keeping you alive.”

“Please, don’t kill me,” he sobbed. His knees hit the concrete. “Please.”

I was already walking away, then Alessandro screamed it.

“I have a stepdaughter! She’s beautiful! Young! You can have her! Take her for as long as you want! Use her however you want! When I get the money I’ll pay you back and you can keep her!”

The air went still.

Disgust rolled through me, cold and sharp. But I didn’t flinch. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

This was exactly how my grandfather handled vermin like him. You don’t negotiate. You erase.

I kept my face blank. I raised two fingers.

Two men moved instantly. They hauled Alessandro up by his arms as he kicked and wailed. He was dragged into the darkness, still begging.

We walked out of the tunnel in silence, weapons at our sides. The night air hit us outside. Three black SUVs waited on the gravel, headlights cutting through the dark.

I got into the middle car with my guard. Doors shut and engines rolled.

The convoy moved toward the Gambino estate in Corleone, Sicily. An hour from Palermo. Far from cameras. Far from laws.

The mansion sat alone, isolated and quite.

It was the only place a man like me could sleep at night.

*****

“Welcome back, sir,” said Paolo, our family’s long-time butler, as I entered the mansion.

I barely acknowledged him.

Paolo was used to it. He knew I didn’t show emotion, not to staff, not to anyone.

I’d had a long-ass day. And Alessandro made it worse.

Why the hell did he think I would accept his stupid step daughter in exchange for my money?

I hadn’t even looked at the daughters of our family friends yet. And his stepdaughter? She probably reeked of poverty. I was sure she looked as hungry as her stepfather.

“Stupid man. I’ll have his head chopped off and served to her,” I muttered out loud.

Paolo froze. His old eyes snapped to me. For a second he thought I meant him.

Normally I wouldn’t give a damn. But the panic on his face made me explain.

“Hey. Not you, Paolo.”

He exhaled, heavy with relief.

I ascended the stairs to my room. Halfway up, a voice stopped me.

“Welcome home, my boy.”

My grandfather. Standing by the window, staring out over the vast estate.

He was the only person on earth I both feared and respected. The only one who could still put me in my place.

The day he died, I would be unstoppable.

I shrugged off my blazer and hung it on the rack.

“To what do I owe this visit?” My tone was firm.

He turned from the window. His expression was grave.

“We need to talk. There’s something important I must discuss with you.”