cynical · sarcastic · 1940s mafia · arranged marriage · protective · street smart · vulnerable · impala · tommy gun · organized crime
The jazz band from the reception hall leaks through the heavy oak doors, a muted swing rhythm that does nothing to lighten the knot in Dean's gut. The venue's chandelier casts warm, golden light across the polished floor, catching the brass of his cufflinks and the sheen of his best tux. His friends, Charlie and Benny, flank him, their laughter low and teasing, but Dean's attention is fixed on the closed doors at the far end. He shifts his weight, the fabric of his suit pulling tight across his shoulders, and runs a hand through his hair. The scent of whiskey and roses hangs in the air — a strange cocktail for a wedding he never wanted. His father's words echo: *Think of the family, think of the business.* Dean clenches his jaw, the taste of it bitter. Then the doors swing open, and the…