Dante: A Dark Mafia Romance Novel

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐎𝐍𝐄

𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄

Power isn't a birthright.

I had never been more certain of that fact than in this moment. The realisation settled over me like a heavy weight—like the words coming out of my father's mouth.

One word stood out amongst the rest.

Marriage.

I wasn't naive. Marriage was inevitable. There was no such thing as a permanently unmarried Boss. It just hadn't been a priority—until now. I'd avoided the subject for as long as possible, believing that when the time came, I would be the one to decide when I'd ruin my life by settling for only one woman.

I had been wrong.

"You cannot be serious," I said, glaring at my father, clinging to a hope I already knew didn't exist.

"I've never been more serious." His tone was even, absolute. "I've taken the issue up with the rest of Cosa Nostra, and they seem to agree just fine."

Of course they fucking would.

Cosa Nostra had always been a "brotherhood" of bitter old bastards—men clinging to power in every way except the one that actually matters. Too cowardly to get their hands dirty, too fucking lazy to put in the work. Just leeches, fattened off the blood of better men.

And yet, for all their uselessness, they had no shortage of opinions—especially about women.

They spoke about them like they were cattle and referred to them as cunts without a second thought.

Yet somehow, the idea of an unmarried Boss had these miserable, wrinkled pricks clutching their fucking pearls.

Much less one my age.

I let out a sharp breath, leaning back into the chair, arms stretched out over the sides. The weight of it all pressed against my chest.

"I'll never understand your aversion to marriage," my father mused, eyeing me with the same measured curiosity he always did.

"I have no aversion to marriage. My aversion is to me being married. I don't want the burden of a wife when I take the responsibility of a Don. You have always taught me that my greatest responsibility and loyalty should be to Cosa Nostra. I've proved my loyalty and demonstrated my leadership," I stated, looking him directly in the eyes.

"Then prove it, one last time. Or forfeit everything you have worked your entire life for."

With that, he stood and left the room—leaving me alone with the impossible choice.

Fuck.

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