Under his protection
Aria has always lived a quiet, trouble free life even after the death of her parents, that is until she is kidnapped by the new don to the Italian mafia, under the former don’s command.
Now trapped in Dante Moretti’s world of danger and shifting loyalties, Aria finds herself under the protection of a man who obviously has no idea what to do with her. Dante is already overwhelmed with his new position, power struggles, and a missing wife he desperately wants to find.
What neither of them expect is the forbidden attraction that begins to pull them closer or the shadows watching from the sideline
Everything shatters when Dante’s wife returns, pregnant, lying and working for the enemy. Hidden truths begin to unravel revealing that Aria is far more tangled with the mafia than she could ever imagine and that betrayed is closer to Dante’s bloodline than he knows.
When the truth fully unravels, will Dante risk losing his empire to save her or will the truth be the weapon that destroys them both.
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Chapter: Chapter 49AriaThe smile disappeared from my face so quickly it almost hurt.Dante didn't take his eyes off me."Are you ever going to stop trying to leave me?"I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.He already knew."I...""You asked Franco to help you disappear."He didn't sound angry. If anything, he sounded tired and hurt.“Have I done something wrong?”I shook my head, hating that he thought this was somehow about what he did."Haven't I made it clear enough that you are mine and your place is beside me?"I swallowed."I wasn't running away from you."The words finally found their way out, but they weren't enough.His jaw tightened."Then explain it to me, Aria. Is being with me so bad that you try to leave at every turn?"He sounded broken, and I hated that."I was trying to help you.""By disappearing?"He let out a humorless laugh."Yes, Dante, because you deserve your family."“Family?”"You, Lucia... your baby."“So that's what this is about,” he replied slowly before closing his ey
Last Updated: 2026-06-29
Chapter: Chapter 48DanteThe doctor kept talking, but I heard none of what he had to say.I should be more concerned with what was going on with my child, but my mind remained fixed on the memory of Aria sitting across from me in the library.After being in this world for as long as I have, not many things frighten me, but the look on her face as I walked out the door with Lucia frightened me.Something about it felt wrong.Aria wasn't angry.She wasn't jealous.She wasn't even upset.And somehow that worried me more."Dante?"The doctor's voice pulled me back.I looked up."She and the baby are fine," he repeated.Lucia sat quietly on the examination bed."The pain was most likely caused by exhaustion and stress. Nothing serious."I nodded."Good."The doctor continued speaking."No unnecessary stress.""Regular checkups.""Plenty of rest."I barely listened.The doctor excused himself for a moment."It would be nice if you paid attention to what was going on, you know," Lucia whispered, clearly pissed
Last Updated: 2026-06-13
Chapter: Chapter 47AriaAfter dinner that evening, Lucia caught up to me before I could go up to my room."Would you like to take a walk with me?"I almost said no.But she looked hopeful enough that refusing felt cruel.Now we were slowly making our way through the gardens behind the mansion.The weather was pleasant, and the cool night breeze was exactly what I needed.But somehow, I still felt miserable.Lucia rested a hand on her stomach as we walked."The doctor says walking is good for the baby."I nodded."I'm glad you agreed to come with me."I offered a small smile."So am I."For a while, we walked in silence.Then Lucia spoke again."I've started remembering things."My attention immediately shifted to her."You have?"She nodded."Small things, mostly.""Like what?"A soft smile touched her lips."Things before I left. My life, Dante..."She laughed softly but something uncomfortable twisted in my stomach."We were friends first and I remember following him around when we were younger."Her
Last Updated: 2026-06-09
Chapter: Chapter 46AriaI woke up to Dante’s arms wrapped around my waist, and a slow smile formed on my lips. I missed this.We must have slept for hours, and a quick glance at the clock confirmed my suspicions. It was past eleven, and we had completely missed breakfast.Dante is never around at this time, and even though I’d love to stay like this for a while longer, Dante probably has other stuff to do.“Hey,” I whispered as I gently tapped Dante.He stirred slightly but didn’t open his eyes.“We need to get up,” I continued, amused at his attempt to pretend like he was asleep.“Shh, it’s the best sleep I’ve had in days,” he replied, holding me tightly.“I’m sure you have something to do.”“No, I don’t.”“Yes, you do.”He groaned but finally loosened his grip.“You are right.” He reached for his phone. “I couldn’t speak to the new Pakhan at the wedding.”“Sofia’s husband?”“Yeah. I should see him this morning. The last thing I need is for the Russians to feel insulted.”Settling his phone back down,
Last Updated: 2026-06-05
Chapter: Chapter 45DanteThe second Lucia appeared, I knew everything had gone wrong.Aria followed my gaze and froze.Her face drained of all color.Shit.She shouldn't have to find out like this.Not in a crowded room full of strangers.Not like this.Her eyes dropped to Lucia's stomach.Then to me.Then back to Lucia.As if she was trying to make sense of what she was seeing.I ignored Lucia and turned toward Aria, ready to explain.Ready to say something.Anything.Before I could, a familiar voice interrupted."Ahh, Lucia. You just wandered off."I looked up and, for the first time all evening, my anger outweighed my shock.Riccardo Bellini.Lucia's father.The old man walked toward us wearing a satisfied smile.A smile I immediately wanted to wipe off his face.He stopped beside his daughter and placed a hand on her shoulder."I just wanted to say hello," Lucia replied with a soft smile.After Lucia requested to stay with her father, I granted it immediately.Considering how distant I had been, it
Last Updated: 2026-06-03
Chapter: Chapter 44AriaThe morning of Sofia's wedding was anything but exciting. I felt emotionally drained.I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror as Isabella adjusted the back of my dress. All the bridesmaids looked perfect in the blue fabric Sofia had picked.Everything was beautiful.The flowers.The dresses.The venue.And Sofia—she looked ethereal.But my mind couldn't seem to shake the thought of Lucia and the fact that she was carrying Dante's baby.My mind kept coming up with crazy scenarios of how things would be. It didn't help that Dante was basically not speaking to me.I hadn't seen him since the night I told him I loved him.No calls.Just occasional short replies.Busy.Working.Later.That was all I got.Even if he decided he didn't want to be with me anymore, he owed it to me to say it to my face.“You are doing it again,” Gemma whispered.“What?”“Overthinking everything.”I sighed deeply.“I can't help it.”“He still hasn't mentioned it?” she asked, referring to Dante.
Last Updated: 2026-05-31
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