Before I can even speak, Tristan’s fist comes out of nowhere, catching me square in the jaw. Pain explodes across my face, my head snapping back as I stagger, tasting blood on my lips. I should have seen it coming. Hell, I half expected it. But I stay standing, refusing to back down.
"Is that how you greet all your guests, Tristan?" I say before wiping the blood from my lip, my voice steady, even though my jaw throbs.
Tristan just glares at me, his jaw clenched, eyes burning with a mix of anger and something deeper—a brother’s protective instinct. I get it. If I had a sister, I'd probably do the same, maybe worse.
Toni appears from the shadows, his face as stoic as always, watching me with that cool, calculating stare. He’s the one I need to win over, the real gatekeeper. He stands still, arms crossed, his expression revealing nothing. It's a silent challenge.
“Romiro,” Toni says, his voice low but carrying the weight of authority, “Why are you here?”
“I’m here because I want your blessing,” I say, holding his gaze. “To be with Alessia. Publicly, officially. I intend to marry her.” The only reason we can talk freely is because gamblers only focus on the dollars, not those who stand in the darkness.
A slight twitch of his mouth—a reaction, at least. “You think you deserve her?” Toni asks, his tone measured, his eyes unyielding.
“No,” I reply honestly, surprising even myself with the admission. “But I know I want her. More than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy, even if it means standing here and taking whatever you want to throw at me.”
There’s a beat of silence. The noise from the casino fades into the background, a dull roar, while Toni assesses me, his eyes searching for any sign of weakness, any hesitation. Tristan stands at his side, his fists still clenched, watching me like he’s daring me to make a wrong move.
“You’ve got the nerve, I’ll give you that,” Toni says finally, his voice still low, almost a growl. “But nerves aren't enough. I need to know you can protect her, that you won’t hurt her, not ever. Because if you do…” He steps closer, his eyes like steel, “If you even come close to hurting my little girl, they won’t find your body for centuries.”
I swallow hard, holding his gaze. “I understand,” I say, my voice steady. “I wouldn’t dream of hurting her. I want to protect her with everything I have. With my life, if I have to.”
He stares at me for a moment longer, and then, slowly, he nods. “We’ll see,” he mutters, his tone still cold but slightly less hostile. “We’ll see if you’re worthy of her.”
I exhale, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. It's not a yes, but it's not a no, either. It’s a start, and right now, that’s more than I could have hoped for.
Tristan still looks like he wants to knock my teeth out, but I meet his gaze squarely. “I want her, Tristan,” I say, my voice firm. “And I will fight anyone, anything, to keep her safe. You know that.”
He watches me for another moment, and then, grudgingly, he gives a curt nod. He doesn’t smile, but it’s something.
Toni gives a final nod, his eyes still cold but maybe, just maybe, a little less so than before. “Don’t make me regret this, Romiro,” he says, turning away, signaling the end of the conversation.
“I won’t,” I promise, my voice strong, certain.
Toni turns away, disappearing back into the dimly lit depths of the casino, leaving me standing alone in the noise and haze. The blood on my lip still stings, and the metallic taste on my tongue is a reminder of the stakes I’m playing with. I watch his retreating figure, my jaw tight, my chest heavy. This isn’t just about winning Alessia’s hand in some old-school, antiquated tradition. It’s about proving that I belong in her world, a world where I’m still seen as an outsider, a risk. Even as a Camorrista, as the Enforcer.
Tristan stays behind a moment longer, his dark eyes never leaving mine. There's something in his stare — a warning, maybe even a challenge. I hold his gaze, unflinching, and after a beat, he inclines his head slightly, just enough to acknowledge me. This is the second time he’s given me a nod.
It isn’t his approval, not yet. But it’s something. A crack in the wall.
He turns and walks off, and I finally allow myself a deep breath. The tension in my muscles slowly starts to ease, but I know better than to think it’s over. It’s never over. Not when it comes to their family—, my family now by association, and all the tangled, twisted strings that bind us.
I wipe my lip again, feeling the sharp sting, but I don't mind it. Pain has always been an old friend of mine, a constant reminder of where I come from and what I've fought against my entire life. But this time, it’s different. This time, it’s for something—someone—worth fighting for.
The air around me feels heavy, almost suffocating, as if the weight of every decision, every step forward, is bearing down on my shoulders. Alessia is worth it, every single sacrifice, but the stakes have never been higher. The Camorra's ruling family eyes are on me now, their scrutiny as sharp as any blade, and one wrong move could cost me everything. Not just my life, but Alessia’s trust, her love—everything I've been trying to build with her.
I know I’m not done. Not by a long shot. Winning over Toni is just the first of many battles to come. The rest of the family, the Camorra itself… they won’t be so easily swayed. I have to tread carefully and play the game wisely. This isn’t just about love; it’s about survival. It’s about protecting what I’ve claimed as mine, and I’d be a fool to underestimate what I’m up against.
I glance around the casino once more, taking in the dim lights, the faces of the patrons lost in their vices, oblivious to the war playing out beneath the surface. It’s a fitting place for this kind of conversation—a battlefield disguised as entertainment, where the stakes are high, and every roll of the dice could change the game.
I shove my hands into my pockets, turning toward the exit. I need to get back to Alessia, to hold her, to remind myself why all of this is worth it. But as I step out into the night, I know that the real fight is just beginning. And in this world, a single mistake could cost me everything.
I won’t let that happen. I can’t. Because losing isn’t an option, not when the prize is the only thing that makes sense in this messed-up world. Not when Alessia’s heart is on the line—and mine with it.
So, I set my jaw and keep walking, the darkness of the city swallowing me whole. I’ve had a small victory today, but I know better than to celebrate. There’s still a long way to go and a lot more to lose. And I can’t afford to let my guard down—not for a second.
23
ROMIRO
