Ch. 1: The Billionaire & His Assistant

The skyline glittered like a crown over Valerio Tower, each light a silent witness to the empire Adrian Valerio was born to rule. From his office on the seventy-second floor, the city looked small, tamed, as though it bowed to him. But Adrian didn’t feel powerful. Not tonight. “Sir,” came a voice from the doorway. Smooth, calm, with the faintest hint of warmth just enough to make it dangerous.Ethan Cross.The one man in this building who didn’t look at him like a walking bank account. The one man who could step into the room without knocking and not get thrown out. His assistant. His shadow. And, if Adrian admitted it to himself, the only person keeping him from drowning. “You have the contract from Marseille,” Ethan said, stepping in with a folder in one hand and a coffee in the other. “Extra shot. Just how you like it.”Adrian allowed himself a small smirk. “You’ve been reading my mind again.” “Not hard to do. You’ve had that same look since the board meeting like you’d rather

Last Updated : 2025-08-14

Ch. 2: The Announcement

The Rossi estate didn’t just sit on the edge of the city, it loomed. A mansion dressed in white stone and glass, sprawling lawns guarded by black iron gates. Two men in tailored suits checked Adrian’s invitation at the entrance, but they didn’t need to. Everyone knew who he was.Everyone always knew.Ethan stayed a half-step behind him as they walked up the marble steps, his dark suit blending seamlessly with the bodyguards. Only Adrian noticed the subtle way Ethan scanned the crowd, cataloguing exits, watching hands. That protectiveness so quiet, so constant, was something Adrian had come to depend on more than he liked to admit.The air inside smelled of expensive wine and power. Chandeliers spilled light over a sea of politicians, businessmen, and people whose smiles were as sharp as their knives.And then there she was.Cassandra Rossi.She moved through the crowd like a blade sliding through silk; flawless in a black gown that glittered under the lights, dark hair swept into an e

Last Updated : 2025-08-14

Ch. 3: First crack in the mask

The city was a blur of silver and gold through the penthouse windows, its restless hum muffled by floor-to-ceiling glass. Adrian stood with one hand braced against it, staring out as if the skyline could give him answers. Behind him, the clock ticked toward midnight. The aftertaste of champagne and fake congratulations still lingered in his mouth. The door to the private elevator slid open with a soft chime, and Ethan stepped inside without knocking.“You’re still up,” Ethan said, setting a folder down on the kitchen island. His suit jacket was gone, shirt sleeves rolled up, tie loosened just enough to reveal the strong lines of his throat.Adrian didn’t turn. “Couldn’t sleep.”Ethan’s gaze lingered on him. “Because of tonight?”Adrian finally faced him, and the laugh that escaped his mouth was brittle. “You mean because my father auctioned off my future in front of half the city?”Ethan crossed the room slowly, the quiet confidence in his movements making Adrian’s pulse do things he

Last Updated : 2025-08-15

Ch. 4: The Fiancée

It was a warning as much as it was a promise. Ethan brought over a glass of water for Adrian, his fingers brushing his just briefly enough to make Adrian’s chest tighten. Cassandra’s eyes flicked to the exchange. She didn’t miss anything. When Ethan stepped away, she leaned in just enough for Adrian to catch the faint scent of her perfume—rich, expensive, and faintly poisonous.“You have a very loyal assistant,” she said softly.Adrian’s face didn’t move, but his pulse stumbled. “Ethan is… indispensable.”Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, then drifted toward where Ethan stood reviewing a document with one of Adrian’s advisors. “Good. Keep him close. Loyalty is a rare currency in our world.”The rest of the meeting played out like a game of chess—smiles, carefully chosen words, and agreements that were more threats than promises. By the time it ended, Adrian’s head ached. Outside the boardroom, Cassandra slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. “I’ll call you tomorrow. W

Last Updated : 2025-08-15

Ch. 5: Private Confessions

“You’re asking me to be the man who stands next to you when the world finds out.”“I’m asking you to be the man I wake up next to,” Adrian corrected softly.The words hit him like a physical touch. Ethan didn’t trust his voice, so he leaned in instead, kissing Adrian again slower this time, lingering like a promise neither of them knew how to keep. When they finally pulled apart, Adrian rested his forehead against Ethan’s. “Whatever happens, we face it together.”Ethan nodded, even as a shadow of doubt flickered in his chest. He wanted to believe that was enough. He wanted to believe Adrian could protect them both from the world they were about to provoke. The penthouse lights were dimmed, the city spread below them in a glittering ocean of gold and steel. Ethan stood at the window, trying to convince himself this wasn’t a mistake. His reflection stared back at him, dark-eyed and hesitant, until Adrian’s arms slid around his waist from behind.“Still thinking about running?” Adrian’s

Last Updated : 2025-08-15

All Chapters of Love in the Shadow of the Mafia: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

Ch. 1: The Billionaire & His Assistant

Ch. 2: The Announcement

Ch. 3: First crack in the mask

Ch. 4: The Fiancée

Ch. 5: Private Confessions