Page 17 of Married to the Ruthless Mafia Heir

"That's for last night," I said coldly. "I just fucked a maid. You really think that means I'll marry you? Stop dreaming, Elena. You can't threaten me with that."

Her face went white as a sheet. Watching her suffer gave me a twisted sense of satisfaction. She needed to hurt the way I hurt. She thought her body could trap me? I'd just reduced last night to a transaction.

I turned and walked out without another word.

Elena looked like her soul had left her body. She didn't say anything else.

"Goddammit!"

I left the manor, got in my car, and slammed the door hard enough to shake the frame.

I drove away from the manor, rage boiling over with nowhere to go. It burned hotter and hotter. My foot pressed harder on theaccelerator. The engine roared, tearing through New York's early morning quiet.

I returned to Moretti Tower in Manhattan. Still early—hardly anyone in the building yet. I controlled my rage just enough to make it to my office. This whole thing was so humiliating. I destroyed everything in reach, smashing my office to pieces. Even that didn't cool my fury.

Marco rushed in, frowning at the carnage. "Dante, what happened?"

I couldn't say it. Changed the subject. "What's the situation with the underground casinos?"

"Not good." Marco handed me several files. "You need to see these."

I looked down. Red X's marked half the pages.

"Acquiring those casinos is harder than we thought. Our guys hit major resistance." Marco's tone was careful. "They're not cooperating. There's been violence."

The situation was worse than I'd expected. I stayed silent for a long time.

Salvador's power in the family ran deeper than I'd imagined.

Someone knocked. Before I could respond, Alfredo walked right in. Seeing him reignited my rage. I kept my voice low. "What do you want?"

Alfredo carried a document, walking at his usual measured pace, wearing that smug, all-knowing expression I hated.

"Salvador asked me to inform you that he's aware of what happened between you and Elena last night. He's very pleased."

My fingers curled into fists.

"At last night's dinner, Salvador announced your engagement to Miss Clark in front of everyone. The wedding is scheduled for three days from now." Alfredo's tone was flat as a weather report. "In exchange, Salvador sent me with this contract."

I fought to control myself. If I didn't, I'd put Alfredo in the ICU with one punch.

He'd somehow gotten inside information about company business. The contract listed the same casinos Marco had mentioned—but the terms were completely different. Same properties. Opposite outcome.

"If you agree to the marriage, the casinos you want will transfer directly to you." Alfredo paused. "The wedding's already being planned. Elena will be there in three days. You're the only one missing, Dante."

Absolutely ridiculous.

They'd calculated everything. Drug me at the party, put Elena in my room, announce the engagement while I was gone, then dangle the casinos as the final bargaining chip. Every move planned. Every move backing me into a corner.

I clenched my fists. Something in my chest was about to explode. But I didn't speak. Just stared at that contract.

Alfredo's job was done. "See you at the manor in three days. Congratulations on your wedding."

He turned to leave. I nearly lost control, grabbing the document and hurling it at the wall. "How dare he!"

Marco came to my side, hand on my shoulder. "Dante, calm down."

"I can't calm down!" I whipped around, eyes bloodshot. "Do you know what they did? You think I'll cave because of some contract? They're dreaming!"