The Mafia Prince's obsession (MM)

Dante

I pace the length of the room,hands on my hips, my mind working a mile a minute. My brothers are sitting around the wooden brown table, watching me with a mix of curiosity and frustration.

Alessandra leans back in his chair, arms crossed over his broad chest. "I told you to be careful, Dante," he says, his voice heavy with a mix of exasperation and concern. "You just had to go and get involved with him."

I shoot him a glare. "I know you told me to be careful,Ales,but it's already done." I say as I clench my jaw. "I'll handle Vincenzo."

Luca, who has been sitting back in his chair,finally speaks up. "How exactly are you going to handle him? You know how sneaky he is. He's not the kind of guy who backs down easily. "

I exhale sharply. "I just need to have a serious chat with him. That's all."

"Uh-huh," Luca muses, tapping his fingers on the table. "And what exactly are you gonna say to him?"

"I have a deal to propose to him."

That catches everyone's attention. Luke sits up straighter, clearly intrigued but still wary. "What kind of deal?"

I smirk. "That will be between me and him. But I know him. He might be an opportunistic bastard, but he doesn't do things without reason. If he found out about Elijah, then he wants something. And I'm gonna figure out what."

Luke crosses his arms. "How are you so sure you can control this?"

I let out a short chuckle, shaking my head. "Because I'm Dante Markov, and I don't lose to people like him," I lean against the edge of the table, arms folded. "But that's not the only problem."

My voice drops lower. "Why the fuck is father rushing the wedding all of a sudden?"

Luca frowns, mulling over the question. "Now that you mention it....it does look suspicious."

Alessandra exhales sharply. "What if he found out about you and Elijah?"

My muscles tense as the words settle over me like a death sentence. I thought I was careful. Was I not?. I thought have control over everything. Was I wrong? What if he really caught wind of it?.

"Shit," I curse under my breath. My mind is already racing, running through possibilities, but one thing is clear. I need to act fast.

"I must have a chat with Maya."

Alessandra groans. "Dante, please don't drag the poor girl into this."

I scoff, running a hand through my hair. "Poor girl?" I chuckle slowly, shaking my head. "Trust me, you'd be surprised."

Alessandra narrows his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

I smirk, pouring myself a glass of whiskey. "Let's just say Maya is not as innocent as you think."

"Dante, what do you know?" He asks with confusion on his face.

I take a slow sip of my drink, letting the rich burn slide down my throat. "You don't have to worry about it, brother. Just trust me."

Luca let's out a low whistle. "Well, whatever you're planning, you better do it fast. Because if father really knows...." He leaves the sentence hanging, the unspoken words settling in the room like a curse.

I smirk again, but this time it doesn't reach my eyes. "The I guess we're about to find out how far he's willing to go."

______________________________________

I'm sitting in a dimly lit private lounge, fingers tapping against the glass of whiskey in my hands. I picked this location for a reason —neutral ground, where neither of us held advantage. A quiet, upscale bar where deals are whispered over expensive liquor and the air carriers a scent of unspoken threats.

Across from me, lounging with my usual arrogance, is Vincenzo Visconti. The bastard looks completely at ease, a smirk playing on his lips as he swirls his own drink, waiting.

I sigh, leaning forward. "I'm only gonna say this once, Vince. Stay away from Elijah. Whatever game you're playing, don't involve him. I won't tolerate it.

He raises an eyebrow, feigning innocent. "Game? Now, Dante, why would you assume I'm playing a game?" He takes a slow sip of his drink, savoring it. "I just came back to time, caught up with an old friend, that's all."

My eyes darken. "Cut the bullshit. What do you want Vincenzo?"

His smirk widens. "Now that's the real question, isn't it?" He sets his drink down and leans forward. "But I think a better question is—what can you give me?"

I exhale sharply, shaking my head. "You still haven't changed."

He chuckles. "And neither have you, Markov. "

For a moment, we just stare at each other ,the tension between us thick with unsaid words. Finally, I lean back, stretching my arms over the back of the couch, my tone casual–but my eyes sharp.

"You were always the outsider, huh? The bastard son. The one they never fully accepted." I watch Vince as his smirk falters just slightly, before the mask is slipped back on. "Must be tiring, alway being the odd one out."

He tilts his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Careful, Markov. You almost sound like you care."

I scoff. "I don't. But I do have an offer for you."

He gestures lazily. "Go on, then. Amuse me."

I lean in, my voice low and firm. "The Markov's and the Vega's are forming an alliance. You know what that means for the Viscontis."

I let the words settle before continuing. "Your father and his sons–they're reckless, weak and useless. You and I both know that. They've been running the family into the ground."

His haw tightens ever so slightly, but he says nothing.

"So here's my proposal." I smirk. "You help us. Help us remove Mr Visconti from power. Him and the rest of your so-called 'brothers' once they're out of the way, you take your rightful place as the head of the Viscontis."

He lets out a low laugh, shaking his head. "You want me to betray my own blood?"

My smirk doesn't waver. "What blood, Vince? The family that never truly saw you as one of them?" I let the words sink in, watching as his amusement slowly fades. "Think about it. A real seat at the table. Power. No more looking in from the outside."

He exhales, rubbing his chin. "And what do you get out of this?"

"A Visconti who knows how to actually run the damn business and knows how to control the family. " I lean back again. "An alliance that actually means something. "

He goes silent for a moment, then let's out a low chuckle. "You really are a bastard Markov."

I smirk. "Takes one to know one."

The air between us grows heavier, the weight of unspoken agreements and silent betrayals settling into place. Vince is thinking it through, I can see it. And that is enough –for now.

I stand up, reaching into my jacket and pulling out and envelope. I place it on the table infront of Vince.

"Pass this to you sister,Valarie."

His eye brows furrow. "What's this?"

"Don't ask questions," I down the last of my whiskey and step away from the table. "Just deliver it."

With that I walk off, leaving Vince starring at the envelope, curiosity and suspicion flickering in his dark eyes.

The game is set. Now it's only a matter of who is going to play their hand first.