Page 115 of The Proposal

I’m so consumed with my sister and her injuries that I don’t even realise what’s happening until the sharp bang rings out like a thunderclap in an otherwise silent room, and Elio falls to the floor with a sickening thud.

Romeo didn’t even hesitate, shooting him right between the eyes. I’m so stunned by what just happened that my only reaction is to quickly pull Lucia’s face against my chest in an attempt to shield her.

When I glance down at Elio’s lifeless body, I find myself struck with the chilling reminder of the Mafia’s ruthless justice. For a fleeting moment, I feel like an outsider, torn between the false reality I’ve created while living with Dante and the violence that taints every corner of his world.

Obviously, the gunshot is enough to get everyone’s attention. The heavy thuds of footsteps coming up the stairs have me turning in that direction.

Of course, my husband is the first to appear on the landing.There is a gun tightly clasped in one of his hands as his chest rises and falls rapidly, each breath coming in shallow gasps as he struggles to draw air into his lungs.

His eyes scan me from head to toe, making sure I’m okay before he even notices the body on the floor.

“What the fuck happened here?” he asks as his eyes zero in on Romeo.

“He broke Lucia’s wrist.”

As shocked as I am by what just happened, I love that he put his own well-being on the line to protect my sister like that. My father is not going to take too kindly to this, though. Elio was one of his favourites.

Dante tucks his gun into the back of his trousers as he closes the distance between us. “Are you okay,Bellezza?” he asks.

“Yes, but I need to get Lucia to a doctor.”

His gaze shifts to her next, taking her in with a quick, assessing glance. His shoulders tense as he tries to keep his composure.

When his attention moves to Romeo, he doesn’t hesitate to give him an order. “Take the women to the car while I sort this mess out.”

Romeo lifts Lucia into his arms, and despite the chaos that’s unfolded, I can’t help but notice the way her cheeks flush and a smile spreads across her face as she gazes up at him with what I can best describe as awe.

Both men begin moving, stalking towards the staircase with long, purposeful strides, so I follow, but if Dante thinks I’m going to leave him here on his own to deal with my father and the fallout, he’s mistaken.

Papa is waiting at the bottom of the stairs as we descend. The first thing he asks is, “Where is Elio?”

“Dead,” Dante replies matter-of-factly.

The fury on my father’s face is unmissable as his olive skin turns to bright red.

His icy gaze moves to Romeo. “You dare come into my house and kill one of my men.”

“He broke your daughter’s wrist. I should offer you the same fate for the bruises on Lucia’s face.”

My father rears back like he’s been slapped, and as much as I like that Romeo isn’t afraid to stand up to him, he really shouldn’t be poking the bear right now. Papa is not Dante; he has zero compassion.

“Put my daughter down,” he bellows. When he reaches out to grab her, Romeo shifts Lucia out of his reach. “Touch her again, and I’ll follow through with my threat.”

“Take her to the car,” Dante commands.

“She is not going anywhere,” Papa retorts.

“She needs medical attention for her arm.”

“I’ll have my doctor visit the house.”

“I don’t believe you,” Dante says, calling my father out.

“I don’t give a flying fuck what you believe. She’smydaughter; you have no say here.”

“She’s an adult, and the fact that she was locked in a guarded room for God knows how long with a broken limb means you lost the opportunity to get her the help she clearly needs.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Papa growls.

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