I Took The Bullet He Lost His Mind

I was just a student who couldn't afford tuition. For five years, I was also the secret lover of Mafia Don Dante Costello.

Publicly, I was his personal art restorer.

In private, he spent his nights making me his, holding me close and kissing me breathless.

Then his family arranged his engagement.

To Isabella Rossi. A princess from a rival family.

At their engagement party, Isabella stabbed the back of my hand with a shard of broken glass.

He made me apologize. To her. For making a scene.

Fighting back tears, I bowed my head to Isabella.

When Isabella lost a bet and had to play Russian Roulette—one bullet, six chambers—he made me take her place.

My hand shook as I raised the gun to my head.

"You saved my life once," I told him. "Now you can have it back."

The moment I vanished from his world, the ruthless Mafia Don who had everything under control...completely lost his mind.

For five years, I was two things: Don Dante Costello’s art restorer, and his secret. His lover.

Then his family forced an engagement, and on the night of the party, I decided to leave the man I was never meant to have.

"I quit."

I handed my resignation to Antonio, his majordomo.

"Are you sure?" Antonio looked surprised. "The Don has always been pleased with your work."

Pleased?

I almost laughed.

He was Dante Costello. The Don. Head of New York's most powerful crime family.

And I was just the girl whose education he'd sponsored. The art restorer working off a debt. A life sentence.

We were from two different worlds.

"I've made up my mind." My voice was calmer than I expected. "The debt is paid. It's time for me to leave."

"This requires the Don's personal approval."

"Then tell him." I turned toward the door. "I can't wait long."

Walking out of the manor, I touched the necklace at my throat—a small palette knife charm.

Cheap, but it meant something.

I’d bought it for myself when I graduated from art school.

It was a reminder of the life I was supposed to have. A normal life.

He found me on a rainy night ten years ago. He sponsored my education.

I never imagined anything more would happen between us.

Back then, I only felt awe and gratitude. After graduation, I agreed to work for him to repay his massive "kindness."

I knew I could never belong in his world.

But one night, Dante was drunk. His lips found my skin, and I was powerless to resist.

Five years later, I had to face the truth. I was in love with him.

But I had to leave.

I went back to my apartment and carefully placed the last restored oil painting into its protective case.

As I was about to pack, a text from Dante came through.

[You promised you'd come to my engagement party. I had a dress sent over.]

A knock on the door. One of Dante’s