Chapter 13

**NICOLE

Dante let out a low laugh and stood up from his seat. He strolled round the dinning table and came over to Raphael.
"Dear brother"He chuckled, tapping Raphael repeatedly on the shoulders.

Raphael shrugged his hands of his shoulders and stood up from his seat, turning to face him eyeball to eyeball.

"I truly am surprised you are still alive. I was hoping for you to get into some sort of trouble in Africa and you know just die"Dante said with a smirk.

I covered my mouth as I let out as a gasp. How could he wish his own brother dead?
I admit I was like this with Amarachi but once I knew we were related and  my father talked sense into me, I strived to become a better sister to her.

  But Dante, he was so open with his bitterness for Raphael, his own blood. He didn't even try to hide it.

Raphael chuckled darkly, "You want me dead so you can take over the mafia. Well that's if grandfather lets your sorry ass get the seat. Besides you are nothing but a dog to him, if he rejects you, you won't be able to do shit because you are a coward"

Dante's brows pulled together immedately, hinting anger brooding in his eyes. He then drew his lips in and gave Raphael a smile.

"I truly pity your wife. She ended up with a beast for a husband and she thinks she got the best man in the world. Wait until he shows you his colours, you will leave him in a second just like his mother"Dante said at me as I whipped my head to face him.

   "I'll never leave my husband"I retorted back, standing up and interlocking hands with Raphael once again.

"He is my husband for better or for worse and I love him. He is the best man I could ask for. And you should also respect him too because he is your capo" I stated at Dante who scanned me with hungry,cruel eyes.

"Not for long. Your darling husband will perish soon"he scoffed before turning his gaze back to Raphael.

"I promise you Raphael. You will meet your demise very soon and be forgotten like you never existed and once you do, I'll have control over this mafia, over your properties and also..."
He leaned in closer to Raphael. "Over your wife"

That was all it took to tip Raphael over the edge.
"How dare you!"Raphael yelled in an uncontrollable fury. He immedately yanked Dante by the collar of his shirt, breaking the hold of our interlocked hands.

He punched and kicked him to the ground which caused me to let out a shriek. Commotion and chaos infused itself in the atmosphere with everyone rushing to separate the two brothers but to no avail.

  Punches, kicks, the awful sound of bones cracking filled the air with blood dripping on the ground.

"Raphael please stop!"I cried out as I tried to hold him but Sofia held me back immediately. "What are you doing? Do you want to get yourself injured?"she asked with a sorry look in her face for me.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. "Go call Aurora please!"I told her which she nodded and frantically ran to get her mother.

Lorenzo, Thomas and Emilio tried to restrain Raphael whilst Marco, Luca and Leila tried to hold Dante but neither of them succumbed.
  Raphael was too angry at the moment. He aggressively knocked them off before continuing with his blows and punches at Dante.

  I crumbled into tears. All this was happening because of me.
Aurora entered the scene, her face pale with horror.

"Stop it! What have gotten into both of you!"She cried out in fear but instead it did nothing.
Both men had blood dripping from all corners of their faces but neither would back out instead it fueled their anger more.

"What is going on here!?"Armani's voice boomed the minute he strode inside and met the horrifying scene.
I froze immedately, so did everyone else.

  "Hold them down for me!"He commanded in rage to his goons.
They immedately went over to Raphael and Dante, pointing guns at their heads.

  My eyes widened and I panicked.
Would he shoot them?
Tears had already flooded my vision making it blurry and my head spinned.

"I leave for some minutes and you both decide to kill yourselves!? Are you all idiots!?"
Raphael breathed heavily and his fists were clenched so tight that his knucles began turning white.

"Armani please they are..."Aurora began but was rudely and almost immedately interrupted by Armani.

"Enough! Look at you all! Fools! Fighting like animals! Over what!? Could it be over this thing you brought from Africa!?"He sneered pointing his index finger at me.

I lowered my gaze in fear, not daring to face his.
"Don't you dare call her a thing! She is my wife!"

"You are a fool Raphael. You all are idiots! And I'll make sure I deal with you fools accordingly. Take them upstairs for their punishment!"He instructed

  My heart palpitated and cried harder.
What did he mean by punishment?
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched Raphael being led away by his goons.
It was all my fault.

"And as for you"he began turning to face my terrified features.

"Your days in this house are numbered. I'll never accept you as the daughter inlaw of this house and I promise if you don't die you will be kicked out of here. Harlot"He balefully  threatened before shoving me out of the way and heading upstairs.