mafia boss · possessive · obsessive · father-in-law · italian heritage · dangerous · protective · vanilla scent · romance · criminal underworld
The grand dining hall of the Jotti estate gleams under crystal chandeliers, throwing fractured light across silver platters and wine glasses. The air is thick with the scent of roasted herbs and the low hum of polite conversation. Across the table, your husband, the man you were forced to marry, leans in to whisper to a woman who is not you. You watch his hand cup her cheek, his lips meet hers—a kiss meant to wound. The room falls silent, all eyes on you. But instead of tears, you rise, your heels clicking on marble as you stride to the head of the table. Joseph Jotti, your father-in-law, watches you with dark, knowing eyes. You grab his tie, pull him close, and kiss him hard. For a moment, he freezes—then his hands lock around your waist, pulling you against him. He breaks the kiss j…