Page 76 of Dark Mafia Bride

I end the call and turn off the burner phone before tossing it back into the drawer, where it’ll stay until I need it again.

The police won’t ignore drug dealing, especially on that scale. I’m certain an investigation will be underway before the day’s end.

With that thought, I head to the bathroom for a shower, knowing that my day’s already off to a good start.

That evening,I sit in my study with a glass of whiskey in my hand, savoring the slow burn as I watch the news. The top headline confirms exactly what I already know...what I’ve orchestrated.

Abruzzi’s empire is taking a hit.

The anchors detail the raid on several of his properties and loan houses scattered across the city.

“...connections to suspected drug activity...loan empire under investigation...”

They don’t mention Abruzzi’s name directly—he’s probably already greased some palms to keep it quiet—but this is morethan enough for me. It’ll take him a while to recover from this, and that thought alone sends a surge of satisfaction through me.

And because I can’t resist being petty, not when Mirabella is involved, I grab my phone and type out a quick text to Abruzzi.

This is only a mere taste of the fate that will befall you if you near my wife again. Don’t dare me.

I hit send, leaning back in my chair as a satisfied calm washes over me. It’s not just the fact that he knows I orchestrated this and owes me for sparing him. It’s because I can now boldly refer to Mirabella asmy wifewhen warning him. No matter what little games he tries to play, he can’t change that.

He can’t change the fact that she’s mine.

25

MIRABELLA

Alessia’s 2005 Malibu rattles to a stop, and I step out of the gate of the Greco Estate, feeling the eyes of the security guards on me. They’re watching me warily, probably still shaken from my last escape attempt. I don’t blame them—they probably don’t want a repeat performance. I’d told my personal driver that a friend would be picking me up today, so he didn’t need to take me to college. I’m guessing he’s the one who tipped off the guards about my departure.

Alessia rolls down her window and leans her elbow out, her grin wide as ever. “Hey, girl! Ready?”

I laugh, glancing over my shoulder. The guards are still keeping a close eye on me. Ettore’s been extra strict about security since my family moved in, so this is the first time in a while I’ve felt like I’m having a normal morning.

“Very ready,” I say, matching her enthusiasm.

I slide into the passenger seat and inhale the familiar scent of air freshener mixed with Alessia’s vanilla perfume. It takes me back to simpler times—back when we first started college together before Mamma got sick, before I dropped out, before everything became...complicated.

Her engine splutters to life, and I bite my lower lip to stop the laugh that threatens to slip out.

“You’re free to express your feelings about my car,” she huffs, and I can’t hold it in anymore. I laugh.

“What feelings? I don’t have any feelings...”

She rolls her eyes before quickly changing the topic.

“Jackass,” she teases, then snorts. “I still can’t believe it. You’re living in a literal mansion, married to the mysterious billionaire Ettore Greco. No offense, Mira, but your life is like a soap opera.”

Her laughter bubbles up, and she nudges me with her elbow. “Tell me, do you have a secret twin? Is there a hidden will? A long-lost relative waiting to make a dramatic entrance?”

It’s my turn to roll my eyes, leaning back as she drives us through the early morning streets. “It’s not as glamorous as it sounds.”

Her smile fades a little, her eyes softening as she nods in understanding. I’ve told her bits and pieces about Ettore’s family not accepting me, but I haven’t gone into details. I can’t.

“I get it,” she says quietly. “But hey, at least you’ve got a personal chauffeur now. Isn’t there a driver assigned to you? I’m honestly shocked they let me pick you up.”

“I had to insist. Sometimes I just miss having a normal life,” I admit, gazing out the window. The sunlight filters through the trees, casting shifting patterns across the dashboard.

Alessia’s expression softens when she glances at me.

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