• 18
??
The kind of place where every man who stepped inside remembered exactly who the real king was.
I walked into my father's office and the first thing I saw was him, sitting behind his massive oak desk, a cigar between his fingers, smoke curling around his sharp features.
Papa Costa.
The original unshakable Mafia King.
The reason I became what I am.
Lesio stood beside him, his right-hand man for forty years. Gray hair, cold eyes, a face carved from stone. He nodded at me once.
"Niccolò," my father said, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. "Sit."
I didn't want to. I did anyway.
He studied me for a long moment. "I hear you handled the boy well."
"The rat wasn't the problem," I answered. "His father is."
He smirked coldly. "Viktor Stepanov has always been stupid. But stupid men are useful. He will panic when he realizes we have his son. A panicked man makes mistakes."
Lesio added, "We still have a mole somewhere in Manhattan. Someone feeding the Russians information."
I nodded once. "I'll find him."
"I know you will," Papa said proudly. "You're my son."
He took another puff of his cigar, tapped the ash into a crystal tray, then looked at me with a different expression.
Colder. Definitely about to say something I won't like.
"I need you to marry."
My jaw tightened instantly. "No."
He ignored that. "You will attend my birthday event with her. Eirene Vlahos."
I blinked slowly. "Who?"
"The daughter of Alexander Vlahos," Lesio said. "Greek mafia. Old money. Old power."
My father leaned back. "We need Vlahos backing if we plan to take the docks."
The docks.
That was territory worth millions. Control over imports, shipments, weapons, drugs, everything. Every mafia family in New York wanted a piece. The Greeks owned it. He wanted it.
"Eirene is a model," My father said casually. "Pretty and polished. She will make you look married even if you're not."
I gritted my teeth. "I don't want to take anyone."
"You're not marrying her. Yet." My father waved his cigar like this wasn't ruining my life. "But you WILL take her to the event."
"No," I said firmly. "I won't."
He slammed his hand on the table. The sound cracked through the room.
"Don't be a foolish man. FAMILY FIRST. You will take her to my birthday, and you will smile, and you will behave."
This fucking old man.
Always knew how to piss me off.
Always.
I opened my mouth to argue—
And then she walked in.
Isabella.
Dark hair curled perfectly. Light brown eyes shining like she was the sweetest girl alive when she was actually Satan's little assistant. Diamond necklace, designer dress, fake smile.
"Hi brother!" she chirped, leaning in for a hug.
I put a hand up and stopped her. "I'm good."
She huffed, rolling her eyes. "Whatever. I came to check on Papa anyway."
She leaned down and kissed his cheek. Papa actually smiled — the one he only ever saved for her.
"I'm the only one who cares about Papa," she said loudly, flipping her hair. "YOU and Enzo are always too busy."
"Sorry, sister," I said, narrowing my eyes. "We're too busy RUNNING the mafia. We don't have extra time in between doll plays like you."
Her head snapped up. She glared.
If looks could kill?
She'd be dead first.
Years ago.
Papa sighed. "Enough. Both of you."
She smirked at me behind his back. I ignored her.
"Niccolò," He said, his voice heavy with command. "You will take Eirene Vlahos to my birthday. Do you understand?"
I stared at him.
At the man who had trained me, molded me then turned me into something sharp and lethal.
I nodded once.
Because I had no fucking choice.
"Good," he said. "Now go. I have business."
I stood up stiffly, walked out of the office—
And the second the door shut behind me, rage hit me so hard it felt like a punch.
Papa wanted me married.
Paraded around with some Greek princess like a fucking trophy.
Meanwhile Daria—
Sleeping in my bed last night.
My necklace on her chest.
My name on her pretty lips.
I pressed my hand against the hallway wall, jaw locked.
"This isn't happening," I muttered.
But it was.
He gave his order.
And nobody disobeyed the original Mafia King.
He's the reason I became what I am.
Too bad he doesn't know he's created a bigger problem for himself.
Thank you for reading! I hope you're enjoying ??