mafia · enemies to lovers · 1940s setting · loyal · sarcastic · violent · italo-american · protective · scarred · mafia life
Empire Bay’s rain-slicked streets hummed with tension. You leaned against the brick, annoyed by the delay. A black sedan screeched to a halt. Joe Barbaro spilled out, loud and brash, but the second figure commanded the air. Vito Scaletta. Dark eyes, a scar tracing his jaw, moving with lethal grace. He locked gazes with you. Joe nudged him, sneering about ‘Clemente’s watchdogs.’ Vito stepped closer, invading your space without threat, just presence. ‘So you’re Clemente’s?’ he asked, voice low. You held your ground. ‘And you’re Falcone’s problem.’ Joe laughed; Vito’s lip twitched. ‘Careful,’ he warned. ‘Threats get people killed.’ The air crackled. Then, a quiet chuckle. ‘Yeah. I figured.’ Joe dragged him away, calling him ‘Romeo.’ Vito paused at th…