Page 7 of Married to the Ruthless Mafia Heir

"Father, don't forget—I'm the Don of the family now." My voice was cold as a blade. "No matter what you say, my wife will be my decision. Mine alone."

The rebellion and provocation in those words was too much. Salvador's face changed instantly.

He suddenly grabbed the teacup from the table and hurled it at my head. His aim was still vicious, but he wasn't a whole man anymore. The cup flew past my ear and shattered against the wall, exploding into powder.

I didn't dodge. Didn't move.

I just looked at him. Like watching a stranger finally show his true face.

"Dante, you know what happens to those who defy me." Salvador's eyes held a warning.

I didn't care about the threat in his words. Actually, I was tired of fighting. Just wanted this meeting over.

"Father, take care of your health. Stop worrying about my business."

I turned and pulled open the door, walked out. Salvador's furious curses followed me. I ignored them.

Marco was waiting in the hallway. He'd been with me for years, could read my expression and guess the atmosphere in that room.

"Back to Manhattan."

Anger simmered in my voice.

The ride was silent.

Back at the apartment, Marco placed an old photograph in front of me, reporting on something. "The latest group we sent to Mexico still hasn't found any trace of her."

The photo looked worn, but the woman in it smiled so gently, her eyes curved like crescents.

Valentina.

The first woman I'd truly loved. I met her when I was twenty-three, back when I was still Salvador's worthless kid who didn't dare fight back when beaten or cursed. After every brutal training session when I was covered in injuries, she'd sneak me medicine, crying while she applied the alcohol, tears streaming down her face.

She used to tell me, "Dante, you're going to be someone extraordinary."

She was so certain. That certainty gave me strength in the years that followed.

But Salvador found out about her. He'd never even met her—just heard I had a girlfriend and had her taken away. After that, I couldn't find any trace of her no matter how hard I looked. Took years just to learn she'd been seen in Mexico.

"I expected as much." I lit a cigar, took a hard drag. "Seems Salvador's still controlling her. Keep sending people to Mexico. Turn the whole damn country upside down if you have to. Find her."

Marco nodded. "Understood."

"One more thing." I exhaled smoke, my gaze sharpening. "Take Carlo. Tonight, investigate those old bastards' underground casinos. The company dividends aren't enough for their appetites—the casino money is their real income source. I want you to shut it down. Don't stop until we've kicked every last one of them out."

"We're moving up the timeline?" Marco looked uncertain. "We don't have enough evidence yet. If we go poking around now, we might tip them off."

"Can't worry about that." I cursed. My chest felt tight again. "Salvador wants to arrange a wife for me. Some maid from the manor named Elena. While you're checking the casinos, look into her background too. I'm curious what's so special about her."

Marco looked shocked. I guessed even he was stunned by Salvador's move.

"Don't worry. They won't succeed."

After Marco left, the apartment fell silent. Valentina's photograph sat on the table, her bright smile calming me down.

Salvador's voice still echoed in my head. "Won't be long before she agrees."

The words circled like a curse. The Elena I'd seen with my own eyes and the Elena in Salvador's description were too different. I couldn't make sense of it.