Page 84 of Married to the Ruthless Mafia Heir

Dante let out a heavy snort beside me.

After Luca left, Dante set his coffee cup down hard on the table and pulled me into his arms, chin resting on top of my head.

"Not happy?" I tilted my face up to look at him.

"No." He paused. Then muttered, "Just think the way he looks at you—there's something possessive about it."

"Pretty sure you're the one with the look." I poked his chest. "I'm six months pregnant. What could he possibly still see in me?"

Dante lowered his head and brushed his lips against mine. "You look good pregnant."

That one line made my cheeks burn. I pushed him away. "You just say whatever sounds nice."

"With you, I only say what sounds nice." He said it and laughed at himself.

That night, I came out of the shower and found Dante sitting in his study. Computer screen glowing in front of him, but he wasn't looking at it. Just staring out the window.

"What's on your mind?" I walked over and wrapped my arms around his neck from behind.

He snapped back, gripping my hand on his shoulder. "Thinking about Luca."

"Still?" I sat down beside him. "He said there's nothing else to it."

"Last time I caused a scene at his place. Never went back to properly apologize. That was on me." Dante frowned. "But instead he shows up here. Asks for a partnership. Something's off."

I couldn't help laughing. "So what do you think he's after?"

Dante went quiet for a moment. Then grudgingly, "He's right. Our families need a way to smooth things over. Having you make the connection works better than me going to him."

"Then what's bothering you?"

"I just—" He paused, voice dropping. "I don't want my wife doing anything because someone's using her. Or because of some favor owed. I want every decision you make to be something you actually want."

I looked at him. Something in my chest went soft. I cupped his face in my hands, made him look into my eyes. "Then let me tell you now. I want to partner with Luca. It's what I actually want. Not because of you, not because of favors. Because I want to build a brand that's mine."

Dante looked at me for a long time. Finally pulled me into his arms, chin pressed against the top of my head. "Okay. Then do it."

"You support me?"

"I support you," he said. "From the day you said you wanted to build your own brand, I've supported you."

Dante kissed me for a while, then asked, "Why bridal?"

I paused, thought about it. "Because wedding dresses carry so many women's dreams. When I was working as a maid at the manor, I used to think—if one day I could design my own wedding dress, that would be the happiest moment of my life."

"And now?"

"Now." I smiled. "I think I'm already happy."

Dante looked down at me seriously. Moonlight fell across his face, sharpening his features.

"So what are you calling this brand?"

"Jenny," I said. "I've always wanted a daughter. I'd name her Jenny. So the brand gets that name too. If it's a boy, that's fine. Jenny's still a special name."

Dante looked at me. Long silence. Then quietly, "Good. Jenny it is."

"You think it's good?" I felt uncertain. "Not too ordinary?"