The Don's runaway bride

CHAPTER THREE: THE WEDDING

The gates closed behind Elena with a loud metallic sound.

She stared through the SUV window.

"Where did you bring me?"

Dante stepped out of the vehicle.

"Home."

Elena followed him reluctantly, staring at the enormous mansion surrounded by armed guards.

"This is a prison."

"It's protection."

"Same thing when I didn't choose either."

Dante's jaw tightened.

"Come inside."

"I'd rather stay outside."

He looked at her.

"Elena."

She folded her arms.

"Dante."

For a second, something almost resembling amusement crossed his face.

Then it disappeared.

"You're stubborn."

"And you're controlling."

"Walk."

She rolled her eyes and followed him inside.

The mansion was beautiful.

Elena hated that.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and expensive paintings covered the walls. But no amount of luxury could make her forget why she was there.

A woman with silver hair approached them.

Her eyes widened when she saw Elena.

"So... she's finally here."

Elena frowned.

"What does that mean?"

The woman immediately looked away.

"Nothing, signorina."

Everyone in this house was apparently allergic to answering questions.

Dante turned to the woman.

"Rosa, show her to her room."

Elena looked at him.

"I'm not staying."

Dante's dark eyes met hers.

"Try leaving."

She glared.

Was that a challenge?

Good.

Because Elena Rossi loved challenges.

She waited until the hallway was quiet before opening her bedroom door.

No guards.

Perfect.

She quietly made her way toward the staircase.

"Going somewhere?"

Elena froze.

Dante stood behind her.

She slowly turned.

"No."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You're standing beside the exit."

"I was... looking around."

"At midnight?"

"Your house is ugly."

Dante stared at her.

Elena smiled innocently.

"Terrible decorations."

He almost smiled.

Almost.

Then his expression became serious.

"Come with me."

"No."

"Elena."

"What?"

He pulled out his phone and held it toward her.

"Look."

She took it.

Her smile disappeared.

There was a photograph of her.

Outside her university.

She swiped.

Another photograph.

At a café.

Another.

Walking home.

Her hands began trembling.

"What is this?"

"Someone has been watching you."

Elena slowly looked up.

"For how long?"

Dante's silence frightened her.

"For how long?"

"Months."

Her stomach dropped.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was trying to find them."

"And?"

Dante's eyes hardened.

"They found you first."

Before Elena could respond, a man rushed into the hallway.

"Dante."

Dante turned.

The man's face was serious.

"What?"

"It's Vittorio."

Elena stopped breathing.

"What about my father?"

The man looked at Dante.

"They attacked the convoy."

Elena stepped forward.

"Where is he?"

Silence.

Her heart began pounding.

"Dante."

His eyes met hers.

"Your father is missing."

Elena's knees weakened.

Dante caught her arm before she fell.

"You promised he would be safe."

"I will find him."

"You don't know that!"

His grip tightened slightly.

"I will."

Elena looked into his eyes.

For the first time, she saw something beyond the cold Mafia Don.

Rage.

Not at her.

At whoever had taken her father.

Dante turned to his men.

"Find him."

The man nodded and disappeared.

Elena pulled away from Dante.

"This is all because of you."

Dante's expression darkened.

"No."

She stared at him.

"No?"

"This started long before I came into your life."

Before she could ask what that meant, Dante turned toward the hallway.

"Marco."

A man appeared.

"Yes?"

"Move the wedding."

Elena blinked.

"What wedding?"

Dante looked directly at her.

"Tomorrow morning."

Her mouth fell open.

"Excuse me?"

"Tomorrow."

"I am not marrying you!"

Dante stepped closer.

His voice became dangerously quiet.

"By tomorrow, every mafia family in Italy will know you belong under my protection."

"I don't belong to anyone!"

His eyes locked onto hers.

"Then give me a better way to keep you alive."

Elena opened her mouth.

Nothing came out.

Dante turned away.

"Prepare everything."

Marco nodded.

Elena stared at Dante's back.

Then she whispered:

"I'm going to run."

Dante stopped.

Slowly, he looked over his shoulder.

A faint smile touched his lips.