Page 169 of My Sweetest Temptation

I still can't forgive myself for the loss of those people who sacrificed their lives to ensure my safety. However, without them, I wouldn't have you, Gigi. You are my precious gift. Please know that you were always cherished and loved. I wish we’d had more time. I'm sorry I couldn’t be there with you, but you are not alone. Find your father; he will protect you.

I love you, always and forever.

Love,

Mom xo

PS: you can trust Dante with your life.

More tears clouded my eyes and dripped down my cheeks. I wiped them away, but they just kept coming. A small sob escaped me as I clutched the letter to my chest.

I shed tears for the woman who brought me into this world, the woman who gave up her life for me, the man who was a father to me, and for the broken little girl who died along with them.

"Winter." Dan's deep voice snapped me back to the present.

"She said I can trust Dante," I said in a whisper. "But who's Dante?"

He met my gaze, his expression steady. "I am."

“Wait, what? You’re Dante?”

He nodded slowly.

"But how do you fit into all of this?" I asked. And why didn’t he tell me who he was right away?

He looked at the door and then returned his gaze to me. "Your mother was Angelica D’Onofrio, and your father was Alphonso Gambino. Their love was forbidden. Although they were from rival families, they chose to see beyond their differences.”

My breath caught in my throat, shock rendering me speechless.

"When she admitted that she was in love with your father..." He paused for a moment. "And pregnant with you..."

I sensed I wouldn’t like what he would say next.

"Your grandfather..." He swallowed, rubbed his hands through his dark brown hair, and exhaled a breath. "He beat your mother until she was unconscious."

"Wh-what? How could he do that to his own daughter?"

"In the mafia, betrayal is a sin punishable by death no matter who you are," Dante continued. "My brother, Malik?—"

"Wait," I interrupted, my mind reeling. "Uncle Malik is your brother?"

Dante nodded.

“My uncle Malik?”

He smiled. “Yes.”

Dante's expression grew somber as he continued to recall the events. "I was your grandfather's right-hand man. We sent your mother to your fathers for protection. However, your grandfather's men discovered my deceit and beat me. They set my cottage on fire, leaving me to die, but thankfully, Malik found me in time to save me."

“Why did you betray my grandfather?”

“Your grandfather had no boundaries. He took pleasure in inflicting pain on others without cause, including women and children. He viciously attacked your mother and threatened to kill you to teach her a valuable lesson. I couldn't stand by and do nothing."

A deep sigh escaped his lips as he continued. "After your mother was attacked, I brought her to your father’s to come up with a plan to help your mother disappear. We also made sure Malik would be there to look after you both.”

“My father trusted you even though you worked for my grandfather?”

He nodded. “Your father understood the consequences of going against a mafia king. But more importantly, he trusted me because your mother did. My loyalty was to your mother, not to your grandfather. And your father knew that.”

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