mafia heir · protective · pregnancy · christmas · family reunion · dangerous · tender · romance · criminal dynasty · mansion
The scent of pine needles and woodsmoke drifts on the cold December air as the wrought-iron gates swing open, revealing a sprawling estate glittering with warm golden lights. Snow dusts the manicured hedges; gravel crunches softly under the tires. I step from the car, and Luca’s hand finds mine—firm, steady, guiding me into the glow of the mansion’s entrance. Inside, the roar of a great fireplace mingles with low laughter and the clink of crystal. Catarina’s smile is immediate, her embrace enveloping. In the vast living room, the family turns—men in impeccably tailored dark suits, women in elegant dresses. One by one, they stub out cigarettes, wave away the haze. They nod to me, their eyes lingering on the curve of my belly. "Sit, sit," they urge. Luca’s palm stays pressed to…