The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

ANTONIO.

“Sei Morto!” I growled, my chest threatening to explode with the multitude of rage that washed over me the second I sighted the bastard.

Lorenzo narrowed his eyes as he observed my blood-stained shirt. “What did you do?”

“Why don’t you tell me why you kidnapped Carlo?” I growled.

“Where is Carlo? Did you find him?” Roberto asked.

Rosalinda walked in with Carlo in her arms, so I didn’t need to answer his question.

He sighed in relief before turning to look at Lorenzo. “I thought you denied kidnapping him.”

“Oh, well.” Lorenzo lifted his shoulders in a shrug, grinning. “Busted, right?”

“Why?” Roberto asked, baffled.

“Did you expect me to marry your daughter, knowing she had a child?” He asked, laughing hysterically. He was definitely a mental case.

“But you said you were okay with it, Lorenzo! What did you plan to do with my grandson?” Roberto asked, narrowing his eyes.

“I was never okay with it. I didn’t want a woman who would have an emotional attachment to someone who wasn’t my child. So…” He turned to look at Carlo and tilted his head as he continued. “I planned to put him out of the picture. But I didn’t expect things to turn out this way, though.”

I took a few steps forward, my already deep frown deepening even further. “By putting him out of the picture, do you mean killing him?”

“Yes.” He replied nonchalantly.

“You monster!” Rosalinda yelled as she charged at him, but Giovanni was quick to stop her, holding her still.

“You are fucking crazy. I hate you. I swear, you’ll pay for this!” She continued as she struggled to free herself from Giovanni’s grip, crying.

I was in extreme fury myself, but I hated to see how broken she looked. And that fueled my anger even further.

The bastard wouldn’t mess with people I love and get away with it.

“I swear, you are dead!” I growled as I closed the distance between us and punched him hard in the face.

He staggered backwards due to the impact of the punch, placing his palm over his cheek.

“He is not even your family. So, why are you getting so worked up?” He spat when he regained his balance.

“Carlo is like a son to me!” I fired at him.

“Is that so?” A malicious look crossed his features as he darted his gaze at Rosalinda. “Or are you doing this because of her? Does Roberto know that you two have been sleeping around?”

“What if we are?” I refused to let him have a card against me. I was done hiding my relationship with her anyway; I might as well let the cat out of the bag myself. I didn’t care about any consequences whatsoever.

Confusion spread across his face. I bet he wasn’t expecting my response. He was speechless.

“You wanted to kill a child who’s barely three. Did you think you would have gotten away with it?” My voice was surprisingly calm. “You also attempted to kill me. Thrice. Because you stopped getting supplies of products.” I raised my voice this time. “Did you think you could go against me and get away with it?”

“How-how did you know?” He quickly asked.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“How did I know?” I took an intimidating step forward. “You think you’re smart, but you are so stupid. Your tattoo gave you away. Remember when I called you to propose a business to you? I never wanted to do business with you. I set a trap for you, and you fell right into it. The man you sent to kill me at the hotel room confessed that it was you who sent him.”

“So, it was all a lie.” He groaned, and I nodded.

“I am going to kill you today, Lorenzo.” I affirmed.

“What now?!” He exclaimed with so much rage. “Do you expect me to beg for mercy?”

“No.” I pulled out my gun and pointed it at him. “Because that would be useless.”

“Antonio, don’t do it.” Roberto quickly interjected as he leapt to his feet. “Please!”

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t.” I groaned, my eyes never leaving Lorenzo.

“His death would start a blood feud with his father. Sergio.” He told me. “Sergio would avenge his son’s death. And you know how ruthless he is. Please don’t put us all in that position.”

I knew very well how ruthless his father was. Sergio had his own Mafia empire and had done unspeakable things just to get whatever he wanted. I was well aware that Sergio would go all out to avenge his son’s death, and I was ready for him. I feared no one.

“What are you suggesting now? That I let him go after kidnapping Carlo? Knowing that he would have killed him if he hadn’t been rescued, Knowing that he attempted to kill me three times and that I would have been dead if he had succeeded, Knowing that he would come after my life again?” I pointed out all the things he had done.

“Sergio would avenge his son’s death.” Roberto reminded me again.

“I don’t care!” I growled, and before I could change my mind, I pulled the trigger. The bullet pierced through his forehead, and in an instant, he dropped to the ground. Dead.

Carlo’s scream filled the room, and I quickly turned to look at him, worried. I had totally forgotten that he was there; otherwise, I would have asked Rosalinda to take him away first. I didn’t want him to experience what just happened.

His eyes were covered with his mother’s hands.

“He didn’t see it.” Rosalinda assured me when she sensed my worries.

I sighed, relieved that she prevented him from seeing that. He must have been crying as a result of the horrifying sound of a gunshot.

I turned to look at Roberto.

“I am taking Carlo with me. I can’t risk him being in danger anymore.” I declared. “You all know how fond of him I am. I am ready to adopt him, and I would protect him with my life.”

Roberto shook his head vigorously in disapproval. “No, you can’t. You-” He tried to protest, but I cut him off.

“You know you owe me for breaching our contract when Sofia got pregnant. I had not said anything about that. But let’s talk about it now. How do you intend to pay for what happened? You know what the terms of the contract say, or should I remind you of how much you would lose?” I threatened.

He fell silent.

“To make amends for the breach of contract, I’m proposing you replace Sofia with Rosalinda. To be my substitute bride. And unlike Lorenzo, I don’t mind marrying a woman with a child. I would love Carlo like I would love mine.” I pressed on. “So-” I inched closer to him. “What do you say?”

Roberto drew in a breath and exhaled sharply before seething. “Fine!”

He had no other choice.

“Good.” I briefly glanced at Rosalinda before returning my gaze to him. “From this moment onwards, she’s mine. And I’m taking her home with me.”