LOGINThe mansion felt different that night—brighter, louder, alive in a way it hadn’t been for days. When Don Romano opened his doors, the gatherings were never small. Men in tailored suits moved through the halls with quiet authority, while women in elegant dresses lingered at their sides, watching, listening, measuring. This was no celebration. It was a statement: the family was still strong. Untouched.Mia stood at the top of the grand staircase, her fingers brushing lightly against the polished railing as she looked down at the crowd. Her heart beat steadily—not frantic, not uncertain—just steady.“You’re staring again.”She didn’t need to turn to know it was Mark beside her.“I’m preparing,” she said simply.“For what?”“For them,” she answered, her gaze sweeping the room below.Mark’s eyes followed hers. “They’re just people.”“No,” she corrected quietly. “They’re observers. And tonight… they’re judging.”He glanced at her with a faint smile. “You sound like you’ve been doing this fo
The message came quietly.“Don Romano wants to see me; I wonder what it’s about,” Mia whispered, pausing at the top of the staircase, her hand resting lightly on the railing.The house had settled after everything—Ethan was gone, the tension eased—but something in those words tightened her chest again. This wasn’t about Ethan. This was about her.She nodded once.“Where?”“In his study.”Of course.Mia exhaled slowly and made her way down the hall. Each step was deliberate, steady. She neither rushed nor hesitated. By the time she reached the door, her expression was calm. Controlled.She knocked.“Come in.”His voice was as composed as ever.Mia pushed the door open. The study was dim, lit by a single lamp on the desk. Don Romano stood near the window, his back partially turned, a glass in his hand. The city lights stretched behind him like a silent kingdom.He didn’t turn immediately.“Close the door.”She obeyed. The click echoed softly. Only then did he face her.For a moment, he
“Hey, darling.” Mark reached out gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from Mia’s face. His hand lingered on her cheek, warm and steady.“Darling? That’s new,” Mia teased, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “I never imagined a cold, ruthless mafia boss like you could have such a cute side.”Mark grinned, amusement lighting his eyes. “What, you don’t like it? Huh, wifey?”“Wifey, Mark. Stop joking around. My dad’s upstairs.”“Alright,” he said with a nod, but his gaze remained on her, filled with quiet concern. “But seriously—are you okay?”Mia nodded firmly. “Better than okay.”“And him?” Mark asked, his voice dropping to a low, cautious tone.“Gone,” she said simply, her voice steady."Finally", Mark’s lips twitched into the smallest, most genuine smile she had seen from him in a long time. “Good. Because that guy was one crazy ex.”Mia glanced at him, cheeks flushing, teasing now. “Took you long enough.”Mark leaned in slightly, his voice rough with playful amusement. “I wanted to ma
In the next few hours, the air in the main hall felt heavier than usual. Word had spread quickly. Ethan had been brought in. Alive. That alone was enough to draw attention. Men stood along the edges of the room—silent, watchful. No one spoke above a murmur. No one dared disrupt what was about to happen.At the far end, Don Romano sat. Calm. Composed. Dangerous. Mia stood a few steps behind him, her arms folded lightly, her expression controlled. But her eyes—her eyes were fixed on the man being dragged in. Ethan. Bruised. Blood dried along his jaw. His shirt was torn, his hands bound tightly in front of him. But he was still standing. And still breathing. That was deliberate.Mark walked in behind them. Slow. Measured. No rush. No visible anger. And somehow, that was more unsettling than anything else.Ethan lifted his head the moment he saw Mia. Something flickered across his face. Not regret but something twisted.“Mia,” he rasped.Her expression didn’t change. Not this time.“Don’t
The tray remained between them, half-empty. The coffee had cooled, but neither seemed inclined to finish it. Mia sat cross-legged on the bed, studying Mark as if trying to solve a puzzle without instructions. He noticed her gaze.“You’re staring again,” he said.“No, I’m just studying you,” she corrected.“That sounds worse.”She tilted her head thoughtfully. “You don’t talk much about yourself.”“There’s not much to say.”“That’s a lie.”He leaned back against the headboard, arms loosely folded. “Is it?”“Yes,” she replied simply. “You just don’t let people see it.”He made no denial, his silence saying enough.Mia picked up a piece of fruit but didn’t eat it, holding it between her fingers while she thought. “No shouting today?” she asked.He raised a brow. “Is that your plan?”“No, I’m trying something new.”“That’s concerning.”She ignored the comment. “I don’t want to fight with you every time we talk,” she said quietly. “It’s exhausting.”“It is.”“Mark, stop interrupting me,” s
Morning arrived softly, its light slipping through the curtains like a tender secret. Mia woke slowly, her body still wrapped in warmth and stillness. For a moment, she didn’t move—she simply felt. The steady presence beside her, something solid and real. Her lashes fluttered open, and there he was: Mark. Exactly where he promised he’d be.The realization settled in her chest, unfamiliar and thrilling, tinged with a hint of danger. He was asleep—not the guarded, half-aware version she knew, but truly at peace. His face relaxed, breaths even, arm resting lightly where it had been all night. In this quiet stillness, he seemed different—softer, younger, less untouchable.Mia shifted gently, careful not to wake him. Her eyes traced his features anew, as if seeing him for the very first time, free from the weight of everything else. Her hand moved slowly, hesitantly, a featherlight touch against the tip of his nose. A playful, delicate gesture. She froze, breath caught—but he remained lost
The night air was sharp and cool as Mia stepped outside the mansion gates, craving a moment—just one moment—of silence away from her father, from the family, from Mark.The Romano estate loomed behind her like a fortress, its stone walls high and guarded. But beyond the gates, the quiet street felt
Luca barked orders. Phones lit up. Locations were pulled from traffic cams, private toll feeds, bribes, favors. The city began tightening like a fist.Mark didn’t wait for reports.He walked.Not fast. Not frantic.Controlled.Which was worse.Within minutes, the war room was alive with static and
As they stop in a parking lot to switch to another SUV, so they won't get caught.One of the men smiled again.Polite.Professional.Predatory.“Miss Romano,” he repeated.Mia didn’t freeze.She tries to escape again. One of the men cursed behind her.A hand grabbed her wrist.She twisted hard, elb
The grand dining hall of the Romano estate gleamed under the golden chandeliers. The long mahogany table was set immaculately—crystal glasses, polished silverware, and ornate candelabras casting flickering light across the room. Every detail screamed wealth, power, and tradition.But to Mia, it fel







