Forced To Be The Mafia King's Bride novel Chapter 17

Gia’s POV

The doors swung open and we stepped into a massive room that looked like it belonged in some underground mercenary headquarters. The walls were dark, filled with weapons lined up like trophies, knives, things I didn’t even have names for. It was all one big dangerous world that sent chills down my spine.

Every man inside stiffened the moment Dante walked in. He didn’t need to speak. They moved like they’d been trained to snap to attention at the sound of his boots.

And me? I walked in like I didn’t care, making it clear I'd been dragged here, ripped from the only life I had left.

Though it wouldn't make much of a difference, because these men were all a bunch of heartless humans.

Dante stopped in front of them.

“This,” he said, nodding toward me without even looking, “is Gianna Giovanni. Vincenzo’s daughter.”

Whispers didn’t follow. Just a stillness.

He went on, voice low but final, like he was making a vow. “From this moment on, she is under my protection. No one touches her. No one speaks to her without my permission. No one lays a fucking finger on her. Is that clear?”

Protection. What a joke.

“Yes, boss,” the men replied in rehearsed unison.

Dante turned to one of the men, tall, broad, with short hair nearly black and a darkness in his eyes that matched Dante’s. His clothes were simple, but everything about him screamed scary.

“This is Bruno. My right hand. If I’m not here, he’s in charge. He’ll look after you.”

Bruno stepped forward, extended a hand. “Nice to meet you, Miss Gia.”

I stared at his hand, then slowly reached for it. My grip was deliberately firm, almost defiant.

“Just Gia,” I said. “And I don’t need a shadow. I’ll survive just fine without someone babysitting me like I’m helpless.”

Bruno’s mouth twitched into a smirk, not seeming offended in the slightest.

“Trust me. Around here, you’ll be begging for someone to babysit you before the week’s over.”

I pulled my hand back and wiped it on my gown like he’d dirtied it. “I’ll take my chances.”

Bruno grinned wider. “Feisty. Good luck with that.”

Dante shot him a look. “That’s enough.”

And just like that, Bruno backed off.

“Bruno will introduce you to the rest of the men later,” Dante said, then gave the room one stern look.

They exchanged brief glances amongst each other, and then the majority filed out, leaving only five men behind. Bruno included.

These had to be his inner circle.

Bruno pulled a chair out for me.

“Sit,” Dante ordered.

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