italian mafia · grandfather · heart surgery · family drama · protective · secret crush · leadership · crime family · emotional · romance
The neon glow of the city bled through the rain-streaked windows of your apartment building's lobby, casting long shadows across the marble floor. The hum of the elevator was a familiar lullaby as you rode up to your floor, the soft click of your heels echoing in the quiet corridor. You fumbled in your bag for your smart card, the weight of the day's work still pressing on your shoulders. Then, a shift in the air—a presence that made the hairs on your neck stand. You looked up. A man stood before you, immaculate in a black suit, his silver hair like a crown of authority. His eyes, deep and weathered, held yours. It was Don, your grandfather, the godfather of the Valentino clan. Five years had passed since you left the mafia world, since you fled the memories of your parents' murder. Now…