Married to the Don, My Ex Won’t Stop Begging Chapter 02

Married to the Don, My Ex Won’t Stop Begging Chapter 02

I sent someone to deliver a response to the Santoro estate.

My father appeared behind me without a sound.

“That Santoro kid? He’s a predator. Marry him, and I’m afraid he’ll chew you up.”

“If you’re still hung up on Dante, just tell me. I’ll take care of it.”

I smiled and tossed a coin into the pool. The water splashed. Ripples spread.

“Love’s nothing without loyalty.”

“After Mom died, you were terrified I’d fall apart. Couldn’t hold my own.”

“So you dragged Dante out of the gutter instead of just having a son with someone else.”

“Dad, if real feelings don’t get you real feelings back, then screw it. I’ll trade them in for something better.”

The Santoro family was offering a lot. It wasn’t hard to be tempted.

My father looked at me with ache in his eyes. But my face wasn’t a mask today. No forced smile. No brave front. He sighed and walked away.

The front courtyard had two crews moving through it.

One was Dante’s people, hauling his and Genevieve’s things out of my guest wing.

The other was Santoro’s men, cross-checking the gift registry with my staff at a frantic pace. The moment they got word I’d accepted, another round of wedding gifts showed up.

Like I said. The Santoro heir was offering way too much. Even a girl like me, raised on excess, couldn’t help but be impressed.

My phone buzzed.

Santoro Matteo. The man who’d been sending me betrothal gifts for five years straight.

A blast of noise hit my ear. I winced and pulled the phone back.

“Matteo, it’s loud as hell on your end.”

“Even if you blow out my eardrums, I’m not giving up the Lower Manhattan docks.”

A shuffle of sound. Chaos. Then quiet.

Matteo’s voice came through, breathless.

“Sorry. Got a little worked up. I was in the middle of a shootout. Those assholes nearly turned me into Swiss cheese.”

“Marco told me you said yes. You accepted the gifts.”

“So is that a yes? You’re actually gonna marry me?”

I let out a small laugh. “You’re calling me in the middle of a gunfight. You’re insane.”

“Wedding’s next Monday. Be there or miss your shot.”

Silence. Then another burst of noise.

Matteo’s laughter roared through the line.

“Insane’s a bad thing? Valentina, you’re insane too. Crazy should be with crazy!”

“Someone grab the damn rocket launcher from the depot. I’m done playing around. I’ve got a wedding to get to!”

I hung up. The laugh that escaped my mouth surprised me.

The coin jar beside me was empty.

I stood up to leave.

A hand appeared at my side, offering a fresh stack of coins. He knew my habit. Whenever my mood swung too high or too low, I threw coins into the pool.

That’s why he always carried spares.

“Tina.”

I glanced over. Didn’t take the coins.

“Dante, the main house on the hillside’s been prepped. You and Genevieve can move in there.”

He didn’t flinch at the dismissal. Just sat down next to me like he belonged there.

“After I lost my arm, I had enemies coming for me. Genevieve threw herself on top of me. Took hits meant for me. Doctor said she’d never be able to have kids. I owe her. I owe her a life.”

His voice dropped. Softer now.

“I wanted a light that would always stay on for me. Nothing blinding. Just something warm. Gentle.”

His eyes found mine. Something heavy sat behind them.

“Tina, you’re incredible. You’re strong. But I’m tired. Those five years in the Mediterranean made me realize something. I can’t keep up with you anymore. I broke my promise. I’m sorry.”

My voice came out flat. Distant. Like I was watching us from somewhere far away.

“Did you just fall in love with me randomly? Or did you just suddenly figure out who I was?”

“I waited five years for you, Dante. Twenty to twenty-five. The best years of my life. And you’re telling me on your way home to marry me, you tripped and fell into someone else?”

He couldn’t answer.

His only hand shook. He reached into his jacket, the pocket closest to his chest, and pulled out an engagement ring.

The inside band was engraved. V&D. Our initials.