Page 33 of Stolen Union

She squeals and hugs me. “Thank you. I’m going to wear the cutest outfit. You’re going to be so happy you agreed.” The way she’s smiling, you’d never think I kidnapped her. The roles have reversed—Gabriella is the one who’s stolen my heart. We’re not captive and captor any longer. We’re just a married couple getting to know one another.

I want it to last for as long as possible.

I choose the fanciest restaurant in town, an Italian place with some candlelight, making it more romantic than it deserves to be.

“If we were back in the city,” I tell Gabriella as we take our seats, “I would’ve brought you somewhere nicer.”

“This is perfect, Dante. Trust me.” The way she smiles in the candlelight makes her glow. God, she’s fucking beautiful. “So, what are we going to do about my brothers?” she asks after we order our food. “They’re never going to stop hunting you down.” She pauses. “I had an idea.”

“I don’t think I’m going to like where this is going.”

“No, it’s a good idea. I thought I could go to them. Show them I’m all right. I would convince them I’m ok. That I married you willingly. That I don’t want you to die. You guys can put your problems to the side. What do you say?”

“I say Rocco won’t believe you. He’ll lock you up and then come after me and put a bullet in my head.”

She pouts. “It was a suggestion, at least.”

“I know,” I say in a softer tone. “And I wish we could make this work. I’m just not sure how. Involving your brothers just doesn’t seem smart. They want me dead. They’ll kill me first and ask questions later.”

“The only other option is to stay on the run. Forever. And while these past few days have been fun, I don’t want to be on the run forever, Dante. I want to have you in my life while also being with my family. You should let me go.”

“What? Now you want to go back home? After how hard you tried to get away from them?”

She grabs my hand. “It’s just to explain the situation to my brothers. That’s all.”

“You know it’s not going to work.”

“I know,” she admits. “But I have to try.”

“But I can’t let you go.”

She smiles softly. “See, that almost sounded romantic.”

The doorbell above the door rings as someone new steps inside. I don’t pay attention to it until someone speaks.

“Gabriella?” It’s a woman’s voice.

I glance over and freeze. Three women stand by the entrance of the restaurant. I recognize all of them because they’re the other wives. Lara, Ophelia, and Caterina. All married to the De Luca brothers.

I stand up right away and place my hand on my gun, but I don’t pull it out. Gabriella scrambles to stand.

“Are you with your husbands?” I ask them.

Lara balks. “Yes,” she says quickly. I can tell she’s lying.

“Don’t,” Gabriella warns, placing her hand on my arm.

“Don’t what?” I growl.

“Don’t do whatever it is you’re thinking. Don’t hurt them. Let me talk to them.”

“They’re going to tell their husbands.”

“I know.”

“We can hear you,” Caterina snaps.

“Be quiet,” Gabriella snaps at her, making all three of the other women step back in surprise. “Don’t make him upset. Listen, you girls need to know I’m happy. I chose to marry Dante.”

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