The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

ANTONIO.

Yesterday, I crossed a line I shouldn’t have crossed. I almost lost control of myself, and it became clear to me that she was as attracted to me as I was to her. If not for Matteo, who interrupted, I would’ve fucking fucked her in her father’s office.

He barged in, thinking I was hurting his sister. Like hell, I would never hurt that woman. As a matter of fact, I feel very protective of her.

A knock sounded on my office door, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Come in.” I muttered, clearing my throat.

I was in my office, working on some important documents, when I drifted off, thinking about Rosalinda.

The door was pushed open, and Marco, my consigliere, came to view.

“Good morning.” He greeted me as he approached me.

“Morning,” I replied.

He pulled the visitor’s seat out and settled on it. I studied his face, and the look he had on it indicated he had something to say.

I raised a questioning brow. “What?”

“You are treading on a dangerous path, Don.” He suddenly said, and I clenched my jaw, knowing exactly where he was heading.

Did Camilla report me to him?

Before I could reply, he continued. “You like the sister, Rosalinda, right?”

My brows creased together in annoyance. “Did Camilla tell you that?”

“Well, yes, she did.”

I gritted my teeth. “That brat.”

“But she didn’t even have to tell me. I knew.” He quickly defended her. “I saw the way you were looking at her with lust. And when you excused yourself at the dinner? I knew you went after her. You really shouldn’t do something that-”

“Is that what you came here for?” I groaned, cutting him off.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I didn’t even try to deny it. As much as I knew he was right, I didn’t want to have that conversation with him. I already knew the risk of getting intimate with Rosalinda, and I didn’t need him to remind me of the dangers.

He sighed. “No.”

“Then why are you here?” I asked with a firm tone.

“I came to tell you about the shipments. They would arrive in two hours.” He informed me.

“Who is going to get the products?” I asked.

“Vito and I.”

“Be careful, and make sure there are no errors.” I warned him, and he nodded.

“Don, about-”

“If there is nothing more, you should leave.” I cut him off. I knew what he was about to say, and I wasn’t going to allow him to complete that statement.

Understanding that I didn’t want to have that conversation with him, he sighed and nodded.

“I would get going then.” He said as he leapt to his feet and slid his hands into his pockets, a small frown masking his features.

“You shouldn’t risk it,” He warned, before turning on his heels and heading towards the door.

Fuck! I knew that. But that woman was irresistible, and there was no way I was going to think straight if she continued to be around me.

I needed to think of a solution.

“Marco.” I suddenly called as he pulled the door open.

Closing the door, he turned to look at me. “Yes?”

I smacked my lips as I leaned in and planted both elbows on my desk. “Do you think it’s possible to substitute Sofia for Rosalinda in the agreement?”

Pressing his lips together, he trudged back into the room and settled on the chair he had just risen from.

“Rosalinda is the first daughter, and there must be a reason why she wasn’t included in the agreement in the first place. Asking Roberto to substitute one for the other isn’t a good idea. He would never agree to such a thing. Not after an engagement party has been done and everyone knows you’re engaged to Sofia. Suggesting that might start a conflict between the two families, and I know a conflict is the last thing you would want.” Marco explained-everything that I already knew.

I made a steeple with my fingers as I tried to think of other ways to make Rosalinda mine. I had never been this frustrated about a woman. Never. And it was driving me crazy.

“So, it’s better you take your eyes off her. There are many girls who are built like her and would be ready to fuck you at any damn time. Just not her, please.” He continued when he didn’t get a response from me.

Blowing out a sharp breath, I leaned back and crossed my arms over my chest. “I know. You can leave.”

“Don’t forget about the lunch meeting you have with Mr. Carter.” He reminded me before leaping to his feet and dashing out of my office.

Now I’m back to fantasising about my forbidden desire.

…

ROSALINDA.

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing, and I stretched my hand to the nightstand to get it, my eyes barely open.

“Bitch!” The voice rang through my ear when I picked up the call, and I knew in an instant who the caller was.

I had not bothered looking at who the caller was before picking up.

“Ruby.” I muttered in a sleepy voice.

“Don’t tell me you’re still sleeping.” She yelled into the phone.

“I am.”

“Lazy ass.” She groaned. “Anyway, I said I wasn’t going to call you, but I decided to be the bigger person.”

“What’s this about?” I was confused. I didn’t remember having a fight with her, so I wondered what she was on about.

“I was at your place yesterday, and of course the security didn’t allow me to go in because you yourself never allow me. I tried your line, and it was switched off. There was a party, and I am livid that there was a party at my best friend’s place and I wasn’t invited. Is that how insignificant I am in your life? I get that you said your dad doesn’t like visitors, which is why you never allow me into your mansion. But there were tons of visitors in your mansion, and this best friend of yours wasn’t invited. I got to hear from

the security that it was Sofia’s engagement party and I wasn’t invited. I am livid. Highly, extremely livid.” She gushed out, all in one breath.

I thought of inviting her to the engagement party, but I didn’t. I couldn’t have invited her to a party filled with dangerous men where a single mistake could get her killed. No.

I really didn’t know how to explain it to her, but all I could do was apologise.

“I am sorry, Ruby.” I muttered, exhaling. “I myself wasn’t interested, so I thought-”

“Thought what?” She cut me in. “That I wouldn’t have been interested in attending? Wow. It’s nice to know that you are on my mind. Thinking for me. Anyway, where are you?”

“At home, In bed.”

“Could you ask your brother to escort you out? I know you wouldn’t be allowed to come out alone. I miss you, and I have a lot to talk to you about.”

I had a lot to talk about with her, too. I needed to desperately talk to someone about my attraction to Antonio before I went crazy.

Yesterday, if Matteo hadn’t interrupted, I would have lost control and made out with my brother-in-law. Crazy! Matteo thought Antonio was hurting me, which was why he barged into Papà’s office. But I was able to convince him that we were just discussing Sofia’s likes and dislikes to help Antonio understand her better. Fortunately, he bought that lie and didn’t suspect anything.

“I would try to convince him.” I told Ruby, hoping Matteo would agree to take me out.

“Okay, bitch. Let’s meet at Tasty Haven for lunch. 1pm.”

“Alright, bye. I would let you know if he agrees.” I told her.

After the call ended, I rose from my bed and went out of the room in search of Matteo. Luckily, he happened to be walking through the hallway when I stepped out of the room.

“My favourite brother.” I beamed, and he turned back to look at me.

He raised a questioning brow. “What do you want?”

He knew I definitely wanted something, which was why I called him that.

“Nothing.” I scratched my temple as I approached him. “Just that, I want to see Ruby, and I was wondering-”

“No.” He cut me in.

I pouted. “Please.”

“No.”

“Please.”

“No.”

“We planned to have lunch at Tasty Haven, so you could invite the new girl you are seeing out for lunch. She would love it, you know.” I quickly said in an attempt to try to convince him.

“I thought you weren’t going to play a part in ruining people’s lives?” He asked, an amused smile playing at his lips.

“Uhm-you know-Uhm.”

The door to the room on the left suddenly swung open, and I swung my head to the side to see Giovanni slipping through the door.

“Giovanni.” I called, raising my brow. “I thought you left already.”

“Well,” he said, opening his arms wide. “I’m still around, and I have a lunch date with a hot girl. I’ve been trying to think of a place to take her, but you just gave me an idea. Tasty Haven.”

A grin tugged my lips apart. “Can I tag along?”

He chuckled softly. “Why not, Mia Cugina? Anything for you.”

My face lit up in excitement as I turned to look at Matteo and raised my middle finger at him.

“You little-” he gritted his teeth as he tried to grab my hair, but I swiftly bent sideways and ran towards Giovanni, hiding behind his back.

Matteo raised a brow at me. “Do you think Giovanni can protect you from me? I’d smack his ass, then smack yours.”

Giovanni smirked wickedly. “I’d like to see you try, Matteo.”

He stood there, glaring at the both of us as if he were deliberating, and after a few seconds, he shook his head and started walking away from us. “I won’t waste my energy on you two.”.

“Now I remember why I’ve always liked you.” I grinned as I gave Giovanni a high five.

“You are welcome, Rosa. Now, tell me. Is there anything going on between you and Antonio?” He suddenly asked, and the smile on my face faded as I batted my lashes.

What did he see?

An uncomfortable silence settled between us as I tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind. His question had caught me off guard.

“Be careful, Rosa. It’s quite obvious.” He warned me before walking away from me, leaving me to my thoughts.

I thought I did a good job at concealing

my attraction for Antonio. Oh, no. How many more people are aware of this?