The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

“Sweetheart, I am disappointed to hear that you don’t want to have dinner with me. So I came here to take you for dinner myself,” Adrik said, his voice oozing with faux charm as he reached out and grasped Sofia’s hand, pulling her up and making her stand on her feet.

Sofia reacted swiftly, yanking her hand away from his hold, her eyes blazing with anger. “Don’t you dare touch me. You won’t like the consequences my husband will bring upon you.”

He smirked, clearly amused by her defiance. “I am just being polite, and you’re threatening me with your husband. Let me remind you that I abducted you right in front of him. Can you imagine how powerful I am? I advise you to leave that piece of shit. Don Leonardo doesn’t know how to care for a beauty like you,” he taunted, his eyes raking over Sofia’s body, sending shivers of disgust down her spine.

Sofia mustered her courage and confronted him. “What deal do you want to make with my husband?”

“It’s nothing that concerns you,” he replied sternly.

“Why have you abducted me? Why do you need to use me to speak to my husband?” she argued, her voice tinged with frustration.

“Fine, I’ll tell you. But first, you have to have dinner with me,” Adrik said casually as if inviting her to a social event. Sofia’s anger flared again, finding it infuriating that he had the audacity to ask her about dinner after being rejected twice already.

Refusing to respond or move, Sofia held her ground. Adrik let out a sigh, attempting another approach to persuade her.

“Listen, Sofia. There’s no harm in having dinner with me. You need to take care of yourself, especially now that you’re pregnant, as advised by your doctor,” he added, emphasizing the last part. Sofia couldn’t help but notice how everyone seemed to care about her health. It must be Leonardo’s influence even in his absence; after all, her husband was the mightiest mafia king.

Sofia’s stomach rumbled with hunger, reminding her of the growing life within. She gently placed her hand on her belly, speaking softly in her mind, “Okay, baby. So you’re hungry. Momma is going to get you some food.”

“Alright, Don Adrik, I’ll have dinner with you, but solely because my doctor suggested not staying hungry for too long, nothing else. I am not happy about sharing a meal with you. Don’t think otherwise. I am here as Leonardo Morelli’s wedded wife. Never forget that,” she warned him, narrowing her eyes. Adrik’s persistent advances had her suspicious about his true intentions. He merely smirked in response.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Feisty!” he chuckled, finding her defiance amusing.

The setting was a vast and opulent hall, its dining table adorned with an array of delicious foods. Rena and Enzo were also present at the table. As Rena looked at Sofia, she could sense the cunning smile, and Sofia chose to avert her eyes. Enzo, on the other hand, completely ignored her, not bothering to acknowledge her presence.

To Sofia’s surprise, Don Adrik pulled a chair out for her, trying to play the gentleman’s role. Reluctantly, she settled into the seat he offered.

Butlers arrived and started serving the lavish meals. Sofia glanced at the food on her plate and then back at Don Adrik. He chuckled before saying, “I ordered them to make all your favorite dishes for dinner.” His knowledge of her favorite food didn’t shock her; she knew that Rena and Enzo had shared all the information about her with him.

She chose to remain silent and began eating from her plate. Throughout the meal, Don Adrik’s dark eyes remained fixed on her, making her feel increasingly uncomfortable and scrutinized.

Suddenly, a commotion emerged from the doorway, and a man came running, whispering something into Don Adrik’s ear. He nodded in response and said, “Bring them inside.”

With the sound of approaching footsteps, Sofia’s heart started pounding faster. Her eyes snapped toward the doorway, anticipation and hope intertwining within her.

As soon as Sofia caught sight of Leonardo entering the room, a surge of vitality coursed through her body. Fatigue and anger dissipated, replaced by overwhelming happiness and joy.

He strode in, flanked by Don Adrik’s men, exuding an aura of power akin to a lion approaching its prey. Sofia gazed at his cold, stern face, a visage capable of instilling fear in anyone’s heart.

But in an instant, his gaze found Sofia, and everything changed. His expression softened, and his gray eyes sparkled with an undeniable brightness.

“Don Leonardo, welcome to my mansion,” Don Adrik greeted him, attempting to command attention.

Leonardo paid no heed to Adrik, his focus fixed solely on Sofia. With determination, she rose from her seat, pushed back the chair, and began making her way toward him.

“Don Leonardo, stop right there. We haven’t discussed the terms and conditions. I won’t allow you to meet your wife,” Don Adrik growled, his voice laced with hostility, as he observed Leonardo heading towards Sofia, unperturbed by the warnings.

Leonardo dismissed Adrik’s words, indifferent to the threats. Sofia watched as Adrik signaled his men to intercept Leonardo’s path. However, Domenico, who trailed behind Leonardo, raised a cautioning hand.

“Touch him at your own peril,” Domenico’s voice echoed through the room, cold and commanding. Adrik motioned his men to halt their advance.

Hastening his steps, Leonardo reached Sofia in an instant, pulling her into his arms. Their eyes locked, his gray orbs brimming with a multitude of emotions and deep concern. Before she could utter a word, his lips urgently pressed against hers, as though his very existence depended on her presence, as though he were reclaiming his life. The kiss deepened, his tongue delving into her mouth. Her hands instinctively grasped his neck, drawing him closer. His hands on her waist held her tightly against his body, enveloping her in a sense of belonging. He was her home

Breathing heavily, Leonardo pulled away, concern etched on his face as he asked his wife, “Are you alright, angel?”

Gently brushing aside Sofia’s hair, he examined her face and body with cautious eyes, relief washing over him when he found her safe and unharmed. He leaned in once more, kissing her passionately, his hands cupping her face with tenderness.

However, their intimate moment was abruptly disrupted by the cold voice of Don Adrik, shattering the air of romance. “Don Leonardo, if you’re done playing the lover boy, can we discuss business?”

Don Adrik turned his attention to a maid, issuing an instruction. “Take Sofia to her room.”

Sofia clutched onto Leonardo’s shirt, refusing to let go, seeking solace in his embrace as she buried her face in his chest. She couldn’t bear the thought of being separated from him, even for a single moment.

“No. She’s not going anywhere,” Leonardo growled, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder, drawing her closer to him.

Sofia wished she could merge into his body, ensuring that no force could tear them apart. She considered herself incredibly fortunate to have found him, her knight in shining armor, once again coming to her rescue. Unable to tear her eyes away from his handsome face, she marveled at how he managed to exude charm in every situation.

Don Adrik issued a warning, his voice laced with authority. “You are standing in my territory, my domain. You have no right to dictate terms to me.”

“Then, test me,” Leonardo responded in a dangerous tone, his voice filled with unyielding determination.

“Are you going to renege on your promises?” Don Adrik raised a challenging eyebrow.

“I never back down from a promise. But my first condition is that Sofia leaves this place. That is non-negotiable. Once she is safely with Domenico, I will discuss the deal with you,” Leonardo declared, firmly establishing his condition before Don Adrik. The latter narrowed his eyes, seemingly pondering his response for a moment.

“Don’t worry, Don Adrik, I’m not going anywhere. I’m only sending Sofia home. I’ll stay here with you until you’re satisfied with keeping me here and discussing your conditions,” Leonardo declared, his voice icy cold, sending chills down everyone’s spines.

Sofia’s heart skipped a beat. What did he mean by staying here in exchange for her? No, she couldn’t allow it to happen.

“No, I won’t go with Domenico. I’ll stay here with you,” she whispered, her words directed solely at Leonardo.

“Sofia, please try to understand. I’m doing this for the sake of you and our baby,” Leonardo pleaded, gently caressing Sofia’s cheeks.

Our baby? How did he know?

“How do you know? That day I came to share the news with you, but I overheard your father blaming me and saying you shouldn’t be kind to me. It broke my heart, and I didn’t want to see your face ever again,” she asked, her confusion evident.

He shook his head, placing a kiss on her forehead, before sighing and responding, “I received this news in a very unexpected way. Don Adrik informed me about your pregnancy.” Sofia clung to him, aware that he didn’t like the idea of someone else knowing before him.

“Go with Domenico. He’ll take you to our country, to Genoa. Okay?” Leonardo ordered.

“And what about you?” she asked, fear lacing her words.

“I’m coming home, baby girl, very soon to welcome our baby. You go and wait for me. I promise I’ll come to you soon,” he assured her, and Sofia knew he never made false promises. He had to come for their baby and her, safe and sound.

She nodded, her gaze shifting to Domenico. Domenico stood there, watching her expressionless, beckoning her to come to him. Her heart wasn’t ready to leave Leonardo. She closed her eyes and questioned herself. If she chose to stay with him there, she might become the reason for his downfall in the face of their enemies.

Although she didn’t want to leave him alone among his enemies, she had to. She knew if she stayed, they could exploit her and their baby, weakening him.