Arranged marriage to the princess of the Red Scorpions

Five or ten years ago, saying Dino Lawson's name out loud would've resulted in more than a handful of heads turning within the mafia world. A middle-ranked mafioso who didn't have one particular home. One of the few who managed to make this role successful without getting killed in the first year or even the second. A mafioso without a place to call home was considered a dead man walking.

Dino made plenty enough of a name to survive longer than others within this role. Sticking to the shadows and expanding his skills to include every talent in the book to the point that anyone would think it a tragedy to murder him. The most powerful mafia families tried to tie him down by way of riches and challenging him to refuse promises. The police tried to catch him to get him to divulge the evident wealth of secrets he knew after years of bouncing from one family to the next. No one, however, managed to succeed. He spent far too long with the Red Scorpion family. Why? The reason never came out. Except for Lena, no one else would have even known what Gabrielle had to do with the situation. Everyone could only agree that Dino Lawson quickly became a whisper of a name lost in the wind, never to be seen again.

Until now.

What lousy timing the other mafioso had, however. Clearly, though, the man did not understand what good timing was or care for his life. Lena concluded as much based on how he'd eyed out despite her threat. Thus, something needed to be done about the other since Dino would not even consider taking care of himself.

Lena knew the other well. Five or yen years wouldn't change the kind of person that Dino Lawson was. The mafioso didn't come from the goodness of his heart or genuine care. He came either with the intent to make things worse or thought it would be a good time to take something he wanted. Whichever reason, the princess wouldn't' stand around and let either happen.

"Gabrielle, as much as I don't care for this hospital, it would be much preferable if you'd take care of this matter outside. I know how eager you are to deal with it right here and now, as am I. However, with so many people around, hiding the evidence after the fact would be hard. The lower parking garage would be the better place to handle this." Dino's ears perked up at mentioning this. Had they known that there was where he'd come in from? Surely not.

"Lower parking garage? Wouldn't all the VIPs coming and going be able to see or hear anything, though? Aren't those the people we want to avoid finding out about this kind of thing?" Gabrielle's question came out oddly calm as she lowered her shoulders to stand more passively. The m princess the moment that their eyes met.

"Beyond the director of this hospital, who you are more than welcome to kill, there are no other VIPs to worry about. This hospital is not the kind of place that caters to such people. Especially not since word got out who they cater to." Lena made sure of that herself. Considering the police would never touch her family, it didn't hurt to let a small rumor slip that would scare potential patients away from the hospital. Gabrielle let out a low noise that indicated she wasn't entirely convinced.

"Is there not somewhere else? I can work with no VIPs; that's great for a quick and easy place, a one-and-done thing. What about for fun, though?" Fun? Dino made a point of clearing his throat loudly, or at least attempting to. Limited breathing space made it difficult to make a big production.

"Excuse me. I think you're forgetting that the person whose death you are discussing is standing right here." The mafioso wanted to say more, but the backhand that rang across his face shut him up. A wordless sharp glare warned him of what would come next if he didn't keep his mouth shut. in no place to argue, Dino held his tongue.

"Murder? That's an amusing thought. To think you believe you're good enough to deserve that kind of mercy." The hollow laugh caught Dino off guard. Had Lena always been this way? Zane had a reputation for flirting on the edge of sanity after what happened to his wife. But Lena? He'd been sure she'd been a reserved pain in the ass but not this cold. Dino spent years working near here. Not once could he recall her turning so quickly on someone close to the family.

"Whatever occurs here is far more serious than I anticipated. Something to do with the kid on the bed?" Kid on the bed? That struck a nerve with Lena. Fortunately for Dino, the princess didn't feel like hitting the other a second time. Should she break his nose, she didn't want to risk sulking her skin with his blood. She could leave that to Gabrielle. The Italian woman never minded getting herself dirty in the man of fun.

"You hardly know what's going on but think you have a right to come along and insert yourself in the situation anyways?" Lena made a noise as though she were scolding a child. A sound that Dino's ears didn't find very appealing.

"All the more reason to let Gabrielle take care of you. I don't have the time or energy to waste on troublemakers." Lena was more than ready to hand the other over. She could discuss where and how once Gabrielle took the other away. After all, Lena only needs to hit him once to resolve any possible threat.

Except that the interruptions for the day hardly seemed to be over. The younger sibling was somewhat out of the loop about what was happening but overly curious to know more about the newcomer. This time is coming in the form of Leo.

Occasionally missing content, please report errors in time.