Chapter 3 - The Claiming
The silence in the grand foyer was suffocating. Isabella pointed a manicured finger at me. “You’re going to take the word of a filthy servant over your own bride?” “She isn't a servant,” Damiano lied smoothly, stepping forward to stand between us and the angry mob. “She is the woman I’ve been seeing in secret. And this child is under my absolute protection.”
I gasped, looking at his broad back. He was claiming us. He was painting a target on my back, but at the same time, weaving a shield of invincibility around us. In this world, no one touched a Don’s family. “This is an outrage!” Don Carlo roared. “You insult my daughter to cover up your own infidelity?” “Your daughter tried to blow up the East Coast Syndicate, Carlo,” Damiano replied, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “The wedding is off. Take your daughter and leave my city before I decide to forget the laws of hospitality.”
Isabella glared at me, her mask of innocence entirely gone. Pure venom dripped from her eyes. “You will regret this, Damiano,” she hissed. “And you,” she looked at Emma, “should have kept your little mouth shut.” Before anyone could react, Damiano moved. He drew a silver handgun from his holster and pressed it directly against Isabella’s forehead. “Threaten my family again, Isabella. See what happens.”
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The tension was a physical weight. Don Carlo swallowed hard, waving for his men to stand down. “Come, Isabella. This isn't over, Moretti.” They swept out of the mansion, taking the threat of war with them. The remaining Dons looked at Damiano with newfound respect, murmuring their support before taking their leave to prepare for the inevitable fallout.
When the doors finally closed, leaving us alone in the vast hall, my legs gave out. I sank to the floor, pulling Emma into a desperate hug. Damiano holstered his weapon. He knelt beside us, the ruthless Mafia boss suddenly replaced by a man with weary eyes. “Why did you say that?” I cried, tears spilling over. “Why did you say we were yours? They’re going to kill us now!” “They were going to kill you anyway,” he said softly. “Isabella leaves no loose ends. By claiming you, I put the full weight of the Moretti family behind your safety.” He reached out, his large hand gently brushing a stray curl from Emma’s face. “You saved my life, little one. Now, it’s my turn to save yours. Welcome to your new home.”
