FIORA; The Don's Dilemma

CHAPTER 7

Valerio stormed out of his car, slamming the door behind him. He marched towards Tony Romano's mansion, his anger simmering.

"Tony Romano! Come out here!" Valerio bellowed entering his lounge.

Mr. Romano emerged from his front door, a mix of concern and caution on his face.

"Capo, what's wrong?" Tony asked.

Valerio's eyes narrowed. "Where's Fiora?"

Fiora's heels clicked on the marble floor as she struggled to keep up,

Tony's expression faltered. "I...I thought she was with Emily."

Valerio's voice dropped to a menacing growl. "What do you mean 'with Emily'? Do you know what she's doing? Who she's with?"

Tony's hands raised in a placating gesture. "Capo, calm down. She went out with my permission. Emily is with her."

Valerio's anger boiled over. "Permission? You gave her permission to disgrace our families? Your leniency is shameful. Allowing your daughter to dance with strangers in a club? What kind of father are you?"

Tony took a step back, his eyes darting around. "Valerio, please understand—"

Valerio's glare cut him off. "Understand? She will dance with the boys and I will understand! Woww!!"

Tony's face reddened. "I trust my daughter."

Valerio's disgust was palpable. "Trusts your daughter? You're as weak as your daughter."

Just then, Fiora's stumbling feet got their attention.

Valerio's eyes blazed with fury, his face reddening as he towered over Fiora. "Fiora!" he bellowed.

Mr. Romano's voice trembled, his eyes wide with fear. "Capo, please—"

Valerio's menacing stride towards Fiora silenced Tony. His hand closed around Fiora's wrist like a vice, while his other hand grasped her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Fiora's defiance faltered under Valerio's intense glare. Her eyes welled up with tears as she whispered, "I...won't...marry...you."

Valerio's anger boiled over, his fingers digging deeper into her jaw. "You'll do as you're told, Fiora!" he thundered. "I am not your father!"

Mr. Romano's face paled, his eyes darting between Valerio's rage-filled expression and Fiora's terrified one.

"Fiora, disobeying me is unacceptable," Valerio growled, his breath hot against her face. " Romano, you've failed to teach Fiora the ways of a traditional Italian wife!"

He slammed his fist on the wall, making Fiora jump. The sound resonated through the room, emphasizing his dominance.

Tony's eyes pleaded with Fiora. "Fiora, apologize."

Fiora's voice trembled, tears streaming down her face. "S-sorry."

Valerio's gaze never left Fiora's. His eyes burned with a fierce determination. "You'll learn to obey, Fiora. Starting now. No more clubs, no more boys. You'll be a wife, not a whore!"

Fiora's face crumpled, her body shaking with sobs. Valerio's grip remained unyielding, his anger still simmering.

Mr. Romano's expression twisted in a mix of fear and resignation, knowing his daughter's fate was sealed.

Dario stepped forward, his eyes flashing. "Capo, that's enough."

Valerio's glare silenced Dario. "You'd do well to keep your future wife in line, Dario. Emily seems to be influencing Fiora's behavior."