The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

As soon as Leonardo’s feet touched Russian soil, his heart ached for Sofia. Accompanied by his trusted men, he made his way to Don Adrik’s opulent mansion, anticipation coursing through his veins. However, Adrik’s men halted Leonardo at the entrance, attempting to impede his path. His patience was wearing thin, and Leonardo’s sole desire was to see his beloved Sofia, even if it meant complying with their demands. They had pushed him to his limit this time. If Don Adrik dared to deny him the chance to lay eyes on his wife, Leonardo would unleash his fury upon this place, reducing it to ashes. Finally granted permission, only Domenico and Leonardo were allowed entry, while his loyal men waited outside, ready to execute his every command.

At that moment, as his gaze fell upon Sofia, everything else faded into insignificance. Don Adrik’s screams to halt were insignificant to Leonardo; nothing mattered except Sofia. His hands yearned to touch her, his body longed to feel her warmth, his lips craved the taste of her, and his tongue desired to explore every inch of her being. The compulsion was overpowering; Leonardo couldn’t resist.

Without hesitation, Leonardo enfolded his wife in a fervent embrace, his lips crashing onto hers with a raw intensity fueled by hunger and desperation. When he pulled away momentarily, he surveyed her face, concern etching his features. She appeared weakened, her once bright eyes now dulled and reddened, as though tears had been her sole companion for hours on end. His gaze roved over her body, searching for any trace of harm inflicted upon her. If they had even left the faintest scratch, Leonardo would have unleashed his wrath upon them all without hesitation, burning their world at a snap of his finger.

However, Don Adrik was not prepared to release Sofia. Unyielding, Leonardo remained resolute in his determination to extricate her from this perilous situation. He refused to concede to anything less than her freedom, his sole aim to ensure her safety. Engaging in negotiations, Leonardo ensnared Adrik within his carefully woven plan. For as long as Sofia remained in this place, he would be powerless to act. She was his ultimate weakness.

Leonardo couldn’t bear the thought of putting his wife, Sofia, in danger. If he decided to proceed with his plan, he had to ensure her safety above all else. She was his entire world, and he would do anything for her, even if it meant bargaining his soul with the devil.

As soon as Sofia left that grimy place, Leonardo let out a sigh of relief. Making his way over, he settled onto the couch and leaned back, allowing himself a moment to relax. Don Adrik, on the other hand, took a seat in front of him, his eyes fixed on Leonardo with caution.

“So, Don Adrik, you stooped so low as to kidnap my wife and use her against me. Tsk… tsk…” Leonardo clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

“I expected more from someone claiming to be as powerful as a Mafia leader. Yet, here you are, resorting to abducting a pregnant woman and using her to fulfill your demands from her husband. And now you want me to grant you rights over my Mafia Empire. Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t do business with cowards,” Leonardo added with disgust, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Adrik.

“Mind your tongue, Don Leonardo,” Adrik growled, his anger evident in his intense gaze.

Leonardo chuckled, shaking his head in amusement at Adrik’s reaction. “If you wanted me to come here and meet with you, all you had to do was send me a message. You didn’t have to go after my wife. You made a grave mistake, Don Adrik. Did you forget that I can be brutal and ruthless when it comes to dealing with my enemies?” Leonardo smirked at him, his eyes locked onto Adrik’s, and continued, “Did everyone forget why people fear crossing paths with me?”

Leonardo maintained eye contact with Adrik, a challenging glint in his eyes. “So, what makes you think we can strike a deal now? What do you propose?” Leonardo altered the proposition, asserting his dominance in the situation.

Don Adrik’s shameless laughter filled the room, echoing off the walls. “I think you forgot, Don Leonardo, that you are sitting in my country, on my territory, and in my place, surrounded by my loyal men, all alone and without arms. I must say, I’m impressed that you still dared to put your proposition in front of me.”

Leonardo maintained his composure even as he scanned the room, noticing how Adrik’s men were strategically positioned all around. It was clear that Adrik feared him enough to let him enter the premises unarmed, but Leonardo knew better than to be complacent.

“The title of a ruthless Mafia king was bestowed upon me for a reason,” Leonardo retorted, his gaze unwavering. “I don’t need anything but my bare hands to deal with those who betray me. They meet their end swiftly and mercilessly.”

Adrik’s desperation was palpable as he tried to reason with Leonardo. “Look, Leonardo, I don’t want any fights. I only wanted you to come here and sign the deal papers. That’s it, and we can work together. Your wife has been well taken care of here. Her every need has been attended to, and she has lived here quite comfortably.”

Leonardo shook his head, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. “If only you could see how much you’ve made my wife suffer. She must have cried so much that her eyes became puffy and red, and I despised that. And you yourself invited a fight when you abducted my wife right in front of my eyes,” he warned, making it clear to Adrik that he was the one in danger, not Leonardo.

“You should have thought twice before doing this. No one in their right mind would dare harm her, knowing how much I love her. I can burn this whole damn earth if anything happens to her,” Leonardo shouted, leaning forward with fury. His nostrils flared, and heavy breaths accompanied his rage.

“Don Leonardo, you’re not supposed to be so foolish as to threaten me when you’re sitting in my place. You should have considered the consequences before raising your voice at me,” Adrik yelled, and his men, in response to his command, advanced, pointing their guns at Leonardo. However, he motioned for them to stand down, shooting disdainful glances at Leonardo.

Adrik’s face contorted with fury as he confronted Don Leonardo Morelli, the notorious Mafia king known for his ruthless demeanor. Leonardo, unyielding and confident, simply leaned back in his chair, watching Adrik’s every move with a mocking glint in his eyes.

“So, Don Leonardo, are you not going to sign the deal?” Adrik’s voice crackled with anger, the frustration evident in his tone.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Leonardo let out a condescending chuckle. “Ah, Don Adrik, I thought you were smarter than this,” he retorted, his calm demeanor only adding to Adrik’s rage.

The Russian Don gritted his teeth, clenching his fists in frustration. “What about your promises? You said that if I set your wife free, you would sign the deal on my terms and conditions,” Adrik demanded as if expecting an honest response from Leonardo. But Leonardo simply snorted, refusing to give in to the pressure.

“I will still sign the deal, but it will be on my terms and conditions,” Leonardo replied firmly. “I have no problem with you doing business in my country, but there is one non-negotiable rule: no drugs and prostitution. Is that clear?” Instead of giving a straightforward answer, Leonardo turned the tables, leaving Adrik to contemplate his response.

This was the moment Adrik would learn that dealing with Leonardo Morelli was no easy feat. The Italian Don was infamous for his ruthlessness and heartlessness, and he was not to be trifled with. Leonardo’s smirk only fueled Adrik’s anger further, intensifying the brewing storm between them.

“If you agree to my terms and conditions, we can sign the deal,” Leonardo stated calmly, his voice commanding authority and control. He knew exactly what he was doing navigating the power play with finesse.

Adrik, now fuming with rage, couldn’t contain his temper any longer. He shot up from his seat, slamming his fists down on the table between them, shattering the glass into a thousand pieces. Blood oozed from his hand, wounded by the sharp shards of broken glass.

“You’ve sealed your fate, Leonardo,” Adrik seethed, his scowl directed at the fearless Mafia king. But instead of cowering or showing fear, Leonardo met his threat with a smile.

“Try your luck, Adrik. I’m sitting here in your den, giving you the chance to fulfill your wish,” Leonardo goaded, challenging Adrik to follow through on his words.

At that moment, Adrik’s men surrounded Leonardo, brandishing their guns, ready to strike. But even in the face of a loaded barrel, Leonardo laughed, as if relishing the danger that surrounded him. He knew that, in this deadly game, only the most cunning and ruthless would survive, and he was more than willing to demonstrate why he was the one they all feared.