Page 50 of His Bride

“Was this you?” I demand, my voice shaking. “Did you do this to punish my father?”

Dante’s eyes narrow. “Watch yourself, cara,” he warns, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment.”

“Answer me!” I shout, standing up on unsteady legs. “Are you behind this?”

His laugh is cold, humorless. “If I wanted your father dead, I’d do it myself. I don’t need theatrics.”

I search his face, looking for any sign of deception. But all I see is grim determination and… concern?

“Then who?” I ask, my anger deflating, leaving me hollow. “Who would do this?”

Tears well up in my eyes, and before I can stop myself, I’m collapsing into Dante’s arms. His embrace is strong, unyielding, and I hate how safe it makes me feel.

“Val”, I choke out between sobs. “Valentina… she was just standing there, and then…”

Dante’s hand strokes my hair, surprisingly gentle. “Shh, tesoro. We’ll find out who’s responsible.”

I pull back slightly, searching his face. “How can you be so sure?”

His eyes, usually cold and calculating, burn with an intensity that makes my breath catch. “Because I won’t rest until I do. Whoever did this, they’ll pay. I promise you that.”

“I’m scared, Dante,” I admit, hating how small my voice sounds.

His fingers tilt my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Don’t be. I’ve got you now.”

Chapter Seventeen

Dante

I pace the living room, my breathing ragged. Each step sends a jolt of rage through my body. Adriana sits motionless on the leather sofa, her eyes unfocused. The bruise on her cheek has darkened to a deep purple.

“I should have been there,” I hiss, clenching my fists. “I would have put a bullet between that bastard’s eyes.”

Adriana flinches at my words. Her shoulders tremble as she wraps her arms around herself.

“I keep seeing it,” she mutters. “The gun. The blood. Valentina falling…”

Her voice breaks. I’m at her side in an instant, pulling her against my chest. She buries her face in my shirt, her tears soaking through the fabric.

“You’re safe now,” I comfort her, stroking her hair. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

But my words feel hollow. I failed to protect her once. The thought makes my blood boil.

The doorbell rings. I tense, hand going to my concealed weapon.

“It’s Carmine and Lucia,” my security guard calls.

I nod curtly. “Let them in.”

“What happened?” Carmine demands, storming inside. His blue eyes are sharp as steel.

Lucia rushes past him to Adriana’s side. “Are you alright, love?”

I clench my fists, nails biting into my palms. “Someone tried to kill her. At her own mother’s fucking birthday party.”

Carmine’s expression darkens. “Do we know who?”

“Not yet,” I spit. “But I’ll find out. And when I do…” I let the threat hang in the air.

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