Signed To The Mafia King - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

ALINA
The moment the woman stepped between us, I knew something was wrong.
I wasn’t sure who she was, but from the way she touched Luca, the way her fingers pressed against his chest like she had every right to be there, I knew this wasn’t just some business associate or family friend.
Luca’s face gave nothing away, but he didn’t push the woman off either.
I tried to step back, but Luca’s fingers on my arm held me still. He wasn’t letting me go.
The men around us were watching. Their eyes rushed between Luca, me, and the woman standing so comfortably close to him, waiting to see what would happen next.
I lifted my head. I wasn’t about to make a scene, especially not in front of all these people, but I felt cold.
Luca finally spoke, his eyes on the woman like I didn’t even exist. “Give me a moment, Alina.”
A moment.
That was all it took.
He left my hand, walking away without a look back at me.
The woman whispered something to him, her lips close to his ear, then giggled softly before they walked away together.
I stood frozen, my chest tight, my hands clenching at my sides.
I didn’t know why I was surprised. This was a contract, nothing more. He didn’t owe me loyalty.
And yet, bringing his mistress to our wedding celebration? In front of everyone? After making such a show of defending me?
Sofia appeared beside me, her voice soft. “That’s my brother’s mistress.”
I swallowed. I already suspected, but hearing it confirmed sent a bitter taste to my tongue.
“She has been with him for years,” Sofia continued. “I thought he’d end things with her before the wedding, but I guess…” She sighed. “I’m sorry.”
I shook my head. “Don’t be. I don’t care.”
Sofia’s brows drew together like she didn’t quite believe me.
I didn’t care. I couldn’t afford to.
I wasn’t going to stand here like some humiliated wife, waiting for my husband to return from whispering with his mistress.
I turned away from Sofia and stepped onto the dance floor.
The music was loud, the men already celebrating, laughing, still bringing gifts for us.
I lifted my chin, smiled, and took the nearest hand offered to me.
If Luca could walk away so easily, then so could I.
My first dance partner was an older man, probably in his late forties, with kind eyes.
He led me around the floor, asking simple questions about my life before the marriage.
I smiled, answered when necessary, but my thoughts kept returning to Luca. Where was he? What was he doing with that woman?
Luca had been furious when that man insulted me. Had made a whole scene about how no one should disrespect his wife. And yet, wasn’t this worse?
My second dance partner was younger, barely in his thirties. He placed his hand on my back, then leaned in. “You are much braver than I expected.”
I arched my brow. “Why?”
He shook his head. “Most women in your position would have left the party.”
I laughed, though I didn’t feel like it. “Why would I? It’s my wedding.”
He dipped me, and I laughed. “Then I hope you don’t mind me taking advantage of that.”
I danced with him, then another man, then another. Some were quiet, some flirted, some asked about the territories I brought into the marriage.
I kept moving, kept smiling, kept pretending Luca wasn’t in the back of my mind.
But no matter who I danced with, no matter how many hands I took, I couldn’t shake the image of him walking away with her hands on him.
A waltz came on, and I was in the arms of another man. I didn’t even know how many men I had danced with by then.
This man was taller than me, almost as tall as Luca. His eyes were green, and he had the jaw and an easy smile that probably had women throwing themselves at him.
“You’re a good dancer,” he said, his fingers brushing my arm as he led me through the steps.
I laughed, tilting my head slightly. “I’m an excellent dancer.”
He chuckled. “That you are. It must be exhausting, though.”
“What?”
“Being the most beautiful woman in the room.”
I rolled my eyes, but the smile stayed on my lips. I felt my shoulders relax. This was normal, a man flirting with me was normal. I allowed myself to be distracted. “Is that the best you can do?”
“Not at all,” he grinned, leaning in slightly. “I haven’t even started. I'm Ethan.”
“I’m Alina, but I’m sure you already know that. You’re at my wedding, after all.”
“You’d be surprised just how long I’ve been watching you. That was the first thing I found out.”
I giggled. I let myself sink into it, into the sound, the movement, the feeling of lightness I desperately needed to hold onto.
I wasn’t thinking about Luca.
I wasn’t thinking about the way he had left with his mistress, how he had walked away from me like I was nothing.
I wasn’t. I just wouldn’t.
I felt it. A shift in the man's body. A heavy shadow just behind me.
My skin tightened.
I knew without looking.
Luca.
I didn’t turn around. I smiled wider, laughing softly at nothing as I brushed a finger down the man’s arm. “You were saying?”
“I was saying,” he said almost into my ear, “that if I weren’t a gentleman, I’d steal you away from your husband.”
My laugh was light, sweet. “That so?”
He nodded. “Without a moment to waste.”
The sound of a throat clearing behind me sent a shiver down my spine.
I finally turned my head, meeting Luca’s eyes. His face was blank of any emotion, but his eyes—his eyes were like stone, watching me, watching the man beside me.
“Step away from my wife,” Luca said calmly, his hand already holding mine.
The man stiffened. “We’re in the middle of a dance.”
I arched my brow. I stared down at him. “I’d like to finish.”
Luca’s jaw clenched. A muscle ticked.
For a moment, I thought he might grab me, might force me to stop. But instead, he exhaled and stepped back.
“Fine,” he muttered.
He turned, moving toward Sofia. I watched as he took her hand, guiding her onto the dance floor.
I didn’t look away.
Not until he did.
And when he finally did, I smiled at the man in front of me, letting my fingers run lightly over his shoulder.
“So, where were we?”
He grinned. “I was about to offer you a deal.”
“A deal?”
“An arrangement, let’s say.” His hand moved up, brushing the inside of my wrist as he twirled me again. “A way to make your life easier.”
I tilted my head, curious. “I’m listening.”
“You’re still going to run your family Mafia outfit, aren’t you?”
I hummed, stepping in close as he dipped me. I laughed. I hoped Luca would eat his heart out. If he didn’t want me, another man did. “Of course.”
“Then you’ll be needing someone like me.”
My brow furrowed slightly. I lifted my eyes and locked them in his. “Like you?”
“I handle problems.”
My stomach tensed.
“What kind of problems?” I asked, though I already had an idea.
The man smiled, slow, knowing.
“Death,” he said simply. “Anyone you want to get rid of.”
I nearly choked on my tongue.