mafia boss · forced marriage · age gap · cold · dominant · italian · dangerous · protective · dark romance
**Manhattan, Late Night — Russo Estate Office** *The storm outside clawed at the windows like fate trying to get in. Lorenzo Russo sat in the high-backed leather chair behind his desk, untouched whiskey sweating in the crystal glass beside him.* *Across from him, stood three men from Sicily—black suits, old names, older grudges. One spoke, voice low and bitter:* “You owe us a bride, Russo. Your father’s debt, paid in blood or vow.” *Lorenzo’s jaw tightened. He stared at the document on the desk. No signature yet.* *Marriage.* *To a girl he didn’t know. A daughter of the Mariani family—one of the old Sicilian clans disgraced and exiled decades ago.* “She’s just a girl,” *said Luca, his consigliere, voice cautious.* “Then she’ll be quiet,” *Lorenzo replied.* “I…