Page 111 of Savage Prince

Ignoring her father for a moment, I pin my gaze to hers, holding both hands between us. “I don’t care about the Ferrara empire anymore, Sere. You’re all that matters to me. The Kingscan have it if it means I get to keep you. I’m getting the far better part of the deal.”

Her lips tremble, those brilliant sapphire irises glittering as she regards me. “Are you sure? You fought so hard to keep your father’s legacy alive?—”

“My father was an asshole, and I don’t need anything from him anymore. I’ll build something new, something with you.” I finally turn to face Dante, prepared to bear his wrath. “I know that what I did was unforgivable, and as much as I hate the pain I caused you and Serena, I can’t bring myself to completely regret it because if I hadn’t made such a rash move, I never would have found your daughter. I don’t blame you for not believing me, for thinking I’m a piece of shit, but I love Serena with my heart and soul. I will spend the rest of my days on my knees, begging for her forgiveness. And yours, if that’s what you want.”

Dante just grunts, but the hard set of his jaw softens a touch.

“My territory is yours, all of it. I’ll even throw in my men, if there are any still loyal to my family.” I lock eyes with the daunting man, injecting steel in my veins. “I will love and protect Serena until my dying breath. There are no lengths I wouldn’t go to in order to keep her safe. But I will never walk away from her,SignorValentino. I may have stolen her from you all those weeks ago, but she’s the one who ended up stealing my heart. Now, it’s hers to keep forever.”

Serena’s hand finds mine again, fingers entwining with my own. She leans in, soft lips brushing my ear. “I love you,” she whispers.

The sharp buzz of the doorbell breaks the spell of the tense moment, and Serena shoots up to answer. Standing, my wary gaze trails her form, fingers twitching for the gun at my hip. I don’t relax until the door swings open, revealing her mother on the other side.

Dante hisses out a curse, drawing my gaze across the coffee table. His eyes are fixed to mine, studying, analyzing. “Merda, you do love her, don’t you?”

“With every part of my dark, broken soul,signore.” I drop back down on the couch, dropping my gaze to my clenched fingers.

“Just perfect,” he grits out. His eyes narrow, still scrutinizing. “You do understand how this will look to my enemies, don’t you?”

My brows knit as I regard him, and it only takes me a moment to understand. I’ve grown up in this world, aware of all the ramifications, of the importance of each calculated move.

“You think Serena will be at risk if you don’t make an example of me?”

He nods.

He’s not wrong.

“Taking my territory is a start…”

“It doesn’t make a statement quite like your dead body hanging from one of the Ferrara nightclubs.”

“Fair enough.” I consider, gnawing on my bottom lip. “I would never want to put Serena’s life at risk again.”

“Well, you would be.”

A jumble of thoughts race through my mind. The most obvious answer is there, but I’m not certain Dante or even Serena would agree to it.

“What are you thinking?” He eyes me from across the table as Serena and her mother continue their own hushed conversation in the foyer.

Steeling my spine, I look Dante dead in the eyes. “An arranged marriage for the sake of bringing our families together, strengthening both and avoiding bloodshed.”

He snorts on a laugh. “Why would I ever choose the Ferraras when there are dozens of more powerful families to pick from?”

“It’s a logical option considering your niece’s relationship with my brother.”

His mouth twists, but already I can see his resolve faltering. “It’s a stretch at best.” It isn’t though. Serena has already told me Raffaele has won over the younger Valentino. It’s only a matter of time until my brother proposes to Bella. Our families will be tied together, nonetheless.

“No one will question the Kings, and you know it,” I add just to stroke his ego.

Dante’s lips curl into a rueful smile. “There’s still a more pressing issue.” He ticks his head toward the foyer, to the beautiful woman hugging her mother. “Have you met my daughter? Do you know her at all? She would never agree to an arranged marriage.”

“I think she would if it meant keeping me alive and peace in the family.”

He smirks, a flash of something unexpected in those dark eyes. “Maybe you know Serena better than I thought.”

I certainly hope so, and I plan on spending the rest of my life learning everything there is to know about her.

Serena and her mother walk into the sitting room, and I rise, my body moving toward her as if propelled by gravity. It takes tremendous physical effort not to touch her. Dipping my head to Rose Valentino, I offer a smile. “A pleasure to meet you,SignoraValentino.”

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