Chapter 7

Dontello's POV

Marco pulled out his gun, the cocking sound made me turn.

He gave the order, and my men aimed their guns at the LaRosa family. The crowd gasped, whispering among themselves. I could understand their shock, but what I was experiencing was much worse. Who was this man in front of me?

Marco pointed his gun at my so-called "bride” and the guy’s hands shot up, shaking.

His eyes were wide, his whole body trembling like he was standing in the middle of a storm. And then I saw it—the resemblance. Him and the LaRosas. Same sharp features, same blue eyes. My stomach twisted.

Marco was acting in my interest, but I needed control. I took his gun from him, my fingers gripping the handle tight. My eyes went straight to old man LaRosa. His gaze darted between me and his family, like he was trying to figure a way out of this.

I wasn’t sure what game they were playing but I planned on understanding it.

"What the heck is going on?” I asked Pa LaRosa, my brows furrowing as I looked in his eyes

He didn’t flinch. He just hardened his gaze, trying to act tough. “We had an agreement for you to marry my first child. A gender wasn’t specified,” he told me with his eyes locked on mine. “That’s my son—Liam.”

The murmurs increased and from the corner of my eyes, I could see the LaRosa men carefully watching. It’s not like they could try anything against me but they’re loyalty was admirable.

I returned my gaze to the old man in front of me, completely amused. The way he was trying to act unfazed, like he had control, was almost impressive. Almost.

Then I laughed. A deep, full laugh that echoed through the room.

Silence followed.

Everyone just stood there, confused, watching me. Waiting for me to react.

If this man thought I was going to let this slide—especially in front of other mafia families, humiliating me—then he had to be the biggest joker of all time.

Without hesitation, I raised the gun and fired. The shot hit Pa LaRosa’s wife in the shoulder, and she collapsed to the ground with a sharp cry. The sound of her pain echoed through the church and the people gasped.

Screams filled the church and the priest made a frantic dash for the door, but my men were faster. They blocked every exit, firing shots into the air. The sound rang out through the room, drowning out the panicked cries.

“Let there be silence!” I said into the microphone I had just picked up and the crowd went mute. “No one leaves until I say so,” I added.

“Ma!” Liam screamed, trying to rush toward his mother, but Marco pinned him down.

Pa LaRosa didn’t move. His eyes stayed locked on mine, steady, unreadable. It was almost like he had forgotten who I was. I’d be more than happy to remind him.

I cocked the gun and aimed it at his wife’s forehead, ready to blow it off.

Then, out of nowhere, Liam broke free from Marco. Before I could react, he moved fast, struggling to grab the gun right out of my hands.

I froze for a second, shocked.

This son of a fucking bitch—did he really just do that?

Rage flared up in me. Without thinking, I swung hard, landing a punch right on his mouth. He went sprawling to the ground, blood dripping from his lip.

Marco pulled out his gun, ready to end Liam, but I raised a hand, stopping him.

He obeyed, though his eyes stayed on Liam, with a warning glare.

Liam pushed himself up, blood dripping from his mouth. “Why did you stop him?” he shouted, voice husky.

His hands balled into fists. His whole body shook with rage. “Why don’t you just wipe out my entire family? Do it! I’m sure that would make you happy.”

Then his voice broke, cracking under the weight of his words. “Just because of you… my sister… She couldn’t stand being your bride, so she took her own life.”

The room went still.

Liam trembled, his eyes filled with pure hatred. He pointed a shaking finger at me. “Because of you… you devil!”

Silence hung heavy in the air.

Everyone was watching. Waiting.

I didn’t know what to make of what he had just said. But I was intrigued by his audacity. Talking to me like that. Pointing fingers in my face.

I should’ve crushed his bones into powder.

But no. I wouldn’t do that.

A lesson. That’s what he needed. One he’d never forget.

By the time I was done with him, at the mere mention of my name, he’d be scrambling to find a closet to hide in.

"Priest," I called after a while.

The man stiffened. "Y-Yes, sir," he stammered, fear dripping from his voice.

"Let the ceremony continue," I said, my eyes never leaving Liam’s.

His face twisted in shock. His eyes went wide like he couldn’t believe what he just heard.

"The fuck…" Liam muttered under his breath. Around us, murmurs spread through the crowd. No one had expected this.

I let a slow smile creep onto my face.

"You don’t know who you’re dealing with yet," I thought.