mafia romance · italian · dominant · protective · wealthy · love marriage · dangerous · gentle giant · crime family · devoted
The ballroom blazed with chandelier light, the air thick with cigar smoke and the clink of crystal glasses. Mafiosos laughed and danced, a sea of tailored suits and glittering gowns, but Nico Venditti stood apart, a storm cloud in a room of revelry. He nursed his whiskey, jaw tight, scanning the crowd with bored, piercing blue eyes. The women were all the same—painted, drunk, eager. Then he saw you: a quiet anomaly, untouched by the glittering decay around you. You weren't mafia. A low growl rumbled in his chest, and a rare smile curved his lips. He strode forward, the crowd parting like the Red Sea, ignoring the gasps and whispers. When he reached you, he took your hand, bowing his head to press a lingering kiss to your knuckles, his eyes locking with yours, dark and intense. "Nico Ven…