The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

ROSALINDA The opulence of the hall was unmistakable, from the lavish decorations to the regal demeanour of the attendees. It was my first time attending the annual golden auction, and I couldn’t help but be awestruck by the sheer display of wealth and grandeur. With my hand hooked around Antonio’s, we gracefully navigated the hall, engaging in conversations with the wealthiest people in New York. Antonio proudly introduced me to them as his wife, filling me with an overwhelming sense of joy. “But I’m not your wife yet.” I whispered into his ear after the third introduction. “You’d be tomorrow. What’s the difference?” He replied with a charming smile that melted my heart.

A smile curled on my lips. “Have you told my dad about it?”

“What?”

“The marriage.”

His forehead creased. “Does he need to know?”

“Yes.”

I was supposed to inform my family and even my best friend Ruby about the impromptu marriage earlier today, but I got carried away, as I was in bed all day with Antonio. We never get tired of each other.

“I’ll let him know before we go to the court.” He averted his gaze, his eyes roaming the hall as if he were looking for someone. He had been looking around since we arrived, and I wondered who he was looking for.

“Looking for someone?” I asked curiously.

“Maybe.” He simply replied.

“Who?” I asked.

“Mio cugino.” Giovanni beamed, and I hoisted my head to see him approaching us with a grin on his face.

My lips spread into a wide smile as I beamed. “Gio!”

He embraced me, tapping my back lightly before pulling away from the hug. “You look so beautiful. How are you and-” he trailed off and darted his gaze at Antonio.

“Oh, forgive my manners. Uhm… brother-in-law?” He said, extending his hand for a handshake. “Good evening.”

“Good evening.” Antonio took his hand, his gaze still roaming around. “Can you keep an eye on her for me?” He quickly asked.

Darting his gaze at me, he kissed my temple. “I’ll be right back.”

I trailed him with my eyes as he walked away from us until he disappeared into the crowd, wondering where he was going. A pang of pain pulled on my chest at the thought of him going to meet another woman, but I quickly shook that thought out of my head. Antonio would never cheat on me.

Giovanni cleared his throat, snapping my attention back to him. I quickly plastered a smile on my face and asked. “How have you been?”

“Tell me, seriously, is that motherfucker treating you right? I swear to God if he-”

“He treats me like a queen.” I quickly cut him off, and that was the plain truth.

He raised a brow. “Are you sure?”

“Hundred percent.” I assured him.

The serious look he had on quickly transitioned to a playful one as he nudged me, grinning. “You finally got what you wanted.”

“What?” I asked, trying so hard to suppress the smile that threatened to spread over my lips.

“Oh, spare me that. You know what I’m talking about.” Yes, I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I refused to admit it. Giovanni was the first to know how attracted I was to Antonio and how badly I wanted him, but at that time I couldn’t get him because he was engaged to my sister. But now he was mine, just as I was his.

“My, my, Giovanni!” A lady’s voice squealed, and I turned to see a blonde woman with heavy makeup coming our way.

“Felicia.” Gio opened his arms, and she sank into them as he wrapped his arms around her. “How long has it been?”

“Months. I’ve missed you.” She said as they pulled away from the hug, their eyes staring intently into each other.

I just knew I was about to be left alone.

The lady darted her gaze at me and frowned before returning her gaze to Giovanni. “Do you want to go somewhere private?” Giovanni didn’t hesitate as he leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Sorry, cousin. Baby, sitting duty is over.” He said m before walking away with the lady, leaving me all alone.

Where the fuck was Antonio?! I wondered.

My eyes roamed the hall, and when I couldn’t see him, I decided to while away time by the bar. If he couldn’t keep me company, some wine would, I thought.

As I sipped my wine, I kept looking around, anticipating Antonio’s return. But the more I looked, the more disappointment coursed through me, and I was starting to get really uncomfortable being alone.

“Is this seat taken?” Someone suddenly asked.

“No. But I’m-” I trailed off, my face lighting up, when I saw the person asking.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Liam!” I beamed.

“How have you been?” He asked as he settled on the seat beside me.

“Well, good.” I replied. “How have you been?”

“Fine.” He said with a smile on his face. “You look stunning.”

“You look good as well.” I returned the compliment.

He chuckled. “So…” He darted his gaze around before retuening his gaze to me. “Are you here alone?”

“No.” I shook my head slightly. “I am here with Antonio.”

“Antonio.” He let out a sad smile, nodding. “The man you left me for.”

Confusion spread across my face. “What?”

“We had a connection. You and I.” He gestured his hand between both of us. “But you refused to allow it to grow. Instead, you chose that fucker over me. He would break your heart, I promise you. He doesn’t deserve you.”

The more he spoke, the more fury boiled within me. I couldn’t even fathom the total nonsense he was spewing. Me and him? Connection? How? When? How could he be so delusional?

I blew out a sharp breath, trying not to explode. “He wouldn’t break my heart.”

“Really?” He raised a brow. “Where is he now? He left you here, alone. What a jerk.”

“Do not speak of him in that way ever again.” I gritted, the anger boiling within me seeping through every word.

“Open your eyes, Rosalinda.” He held my wrist, shaking me vigorously with it. “Come to me. I would treat you right.”

His grip was too tight, and I winced in pain as I tried to free myself from him. “You are hurting me. Get off me!” I yelled.

***

ANTONIO

“I had been anticipating to see you here.” A familiar voice spoke while I navigated the crowd in search of Diego.

I stopped in my tracks and flipped my head to the side to see Nikkolai Petrov standing with a woman whom I assumed to be his wife.

“Nice to meet you again, Don Antonio.” He said, extending his hand for a handshake.

Inching closer to him, I took his hand. “Good evening.”

“Like I said, I had been anticipating seeing you. I have a lot to discuss with you.” He muttered.

I raised a brow. “And that is?”

“Business.”

I dipped my hands inside my pockets as I carefully observed him. “What type of business?”

“We’ll talk about it in a more secluded place.” He replied with a smile, which I found suspicious.

The Petrovs were known to be insanely brutal, and doing business with them was highly beneficial but seriously risky. I hated doing business with the Russians; one wrong move and they could fuck their business partners over like they never knew them.

The benefits were juicy, not only money-wise but also power-wise. Together, we could become untouchable. But the risks outweighed the benefits. I wasn’t thinking for myself alone; I now had a family to protect at all costs.

“I’ll pass.” I said.

A deep frown masked his features. “I didn’t go through the trouble of solving your Sergio problems just to have you turn down my offer.”

“What?!” I exclaimed, my brows furrowing together. “That was you? You killed him?”

“He had it coming.” He shrugged. “He had been living his life on a thin thread. He betrayed me, and he knew I was coming for him. I just made it quicker because I wanted to rid you of him and do business with you.”

“Is that so?” My eyes suddenly caught sight of the one person I had been looking for, and I nodded towards him. “Would you help me solve my Diego problem also? He ratted me to the feds yesterday.”

“I know.”

My frown deepened. “Were you involved?”

“No.” He waved at Diego, who, in turn, smiled at him. Returning his gaze to me, he contined. “But I have ears.”

“Would you help me with him just as you did with Sergio?” I persisted.

“You started it. You blew up his car.”

“Does he have evidence?” I countered sternly. I still wasn’t going to admit it.

He sighed, glancing at Diego again before looking back at me. “I’ll see what I can do. He won’t bother you anymore.”

“What type of business do you-” I trailed off when my eyes subconsciously flicked to the bar to see Liam gripping my woman’s wrist tightly while she struggled to free herself.

A dangerous feeling vibrated through my chest, all the nerves within me screaming ‘kill him’ as I sprinted towards them.