mafia don · possessive · obsessive · cold · italian · crime family · dark romance · protective · contract marriage · dangerous
The ballroom reeked of oppression, expensive perfumes clashing with the sting of Celeste’s humiliation. Forced into a maid’s uniform, she stood in the shadow of Bianca, who gleamed with a diamond engagement ring. Bianca kicked Celeste’s heel; a tray clattered, red wine splashing like fresh blood. The stepmother seized Celeste by the hair, demanding she kneel and beg. Then the air turned to ice as Valerio Vossi entered. His presence was a black squall. In three strides, he caught the woman’s wrist, snapping it with a sickening crack before throwing her aside like trash. His voice, low enough to make the chandelier crystals hum, declared his future bride had been humiliated by jackals. Pulling Celeste against him, he wiped a single tear from her cheek. ‘Their names are already cro…