The Mafia Principessa’s Nine Knights Chapter 08

The Mafia Principessa’s Nine Knights Chapter 08

Grandpa’s eightieth birthday gala.

The biggest date on the Marino family calendar.

No exceptions.

Three generations of Marinos, every branch of the extended family, plus a lifetime’s worth of

business associates.

The party was held at the estate.

Crystal chandeliers. Red carpet. Fresh flowers everywhere.

Edward had a team of twenty coordinating preparations for days.

I wore a pale yellow dress.

Antonio had brought it back from a business trip to Valoria last month.

His exact words were, “Saw it in a window and thought of the princess. Had to get it.”

Maria was pinning up my hair while I watched her in the mirror.

“You look beautiful today, Miss Bella.”

“Thanks, Maria.”

Nooked at my reflection.

The mark on my face was long gone. Not a trace left.

Like it had never happened.

But something still lived under my skin.

A splinter that wouldn’t come out.

The banquet began.

Grandpa sat at the head table.

He was in good spirits, and even at eighty, he still looked exactly like what he was: the man who’d built this family.

I went straight to him, and he waved me closer.

“There’s my princess. Come here. Sit next to Grandpa.”

“Coming.”

I settled in beside him.

He cupped my cheek in his hand.

“My princess, you look more like your grandma every day.”

“Was Grandma beautiful?”

“Beautiful.” His whole face creased when he smiled. “But not as beautiful as you.”

The relatives around the table laughed.

The banquet was loud and warm.

Glasses clinking, laughter rolling from table to table.

I made my way through a pile of pastries and even snuck a sip of Grandpa’s wine. Luca caught me from halfway across the table.

One look. That was all it took.

Put. It. Down.

I stuck my tongue out at him.

Then I spotted Angelica.

Burgundy evening gown.

Sitting right beside Luca.

Poised. Polished.

Making the rounds with the older relatives, all charm and perfect manners.

Not one note out of place.

I watched her talking to Grandpa.

He smiled and nodded.

Something tightened in my chest.

She really knew how to perform.

Halfway through the night.

I slipped out to the restroom.

I was heading back through the corridor when I reached the turn.

“Well, well. The Marino family’s little princess.”

I stopped.

Angelica stepped out of the side lounge.

A glass of red wine in one hand.

Her cheeks were flushed.

She’d been drinking.

“Miss Rossi,” I said.

I kept my distance.

She walked toward me.

Her heels echoed down the empty corridor.

I stepped back.

“I should get back…”

“What’s the hurry?”

Her hand clamped onto my shoulder.

Her nails dug in near my collarbone.

“Bella. Let me tell you something.”

She leaned in close.

Her breath was sharp with wine.

“Luca proposed to me.”

The hallway seemed to tilt for a second.

“Last week.” She smiled. “He’s going to announce it after the party tonight.”

“So…”

Her grip tightened.

Her nails broke skin.

“Once I’m in this family, I call the shots.”

“You think this princess act lasts forever?”

“The second I’m a Marino…”

“There won’t be any room left for you.”

I held her stare.

My pulse hammered.

But I didn’t back down.

“Are you done?”

My voice was steadier than I expected.

Angelica stared at me.

Something in her face shifted.

Not anger.

Something uglier. Wounded pride turning mean.

“You…”

“Bella?”

A voice from behind me.

I turned.

Vincent.

He stood at the far end of the hallway.

Hands in his pockets.

Face blank.

But his eyes were locked on Angelica’s hand. On my shoulder.

“Vincent,” I said.

Angelica’s hand dropped like she’d been burned.

“Oh, Vincent! Hi!” The smile snapped back into place. “Just having a little girl talk.”

Vincent didn’t look at her.

He walked over, took my arm, and moved me behind him.

“Bella, Grandpa’s asking for you. Go back in.”

“Oh, okay.”

I stepped past him.

A few steps down the hall, I glanced back.

Vincent hadn’t moved.

He was facing Angelica.

He didn’t say a word.

He didn’t need to.

Angelica held her smile for two seconds.

Then it fell.

“I’m heading back too.”

Her heels clicked faster now.

She turned the corner and was gone.

Vincent looked down at my shoulder.

Where Angelica’s hand had been…

Nail marks. Red crescents in my skin.

He saw them.

His phone came out.

One photo.

Sent to the group chat.

One more piece of evidence. Nail marks on her shoulder. Corridor corner, no camera coverage, yo

I saw it firsthand. I’ll back it.]

Luca’s reply was instant.

[How long ago?]

[Just now.]

[How much has she had?]

[Plenty. She’s sloppy.]

Luca went quiet.

But Dante followed up.

[Drunk and sloppy is exactly when people slip. Don, are you still waiting?]

A few seconds.

Then Luca.

[Done waiting.]

[Tonight.]

[It ends tonight.]