Andrew DeLuca.
After my parents' passing, I took over full control of the businesses. I was discreet, and I needed to be, for I was the Don.
The "Don" in a mafia organization is the term we use for the supreme leader or head of the criminal family, and well, that was me. Andrew DeLuca.
My parents came to New York to establish businesses here when I was still very young. I didn't know anything and thought life was a game. Until I witnessed my father's death before my eyes.
I don't remember much about my mother, she left when I was very young. Or at least, that's what my father told me. Since then, I learned to be alone—well, I had a younger sister, Isabella. Ize had a strong personality, which unfortunately caused me more trouble. She was active in the mafia too, but unlike me, she had a good heart and compassion, which I found useless in our world.
So, my childhood wasn't easy at all. The mafia was my only family. It was one of the few things I had left. I didn't have other options.
While many might consider loneliness a bad thing, for me, it was a blessing.
I had front businesses, making significant profits. I owned jewelry stores and other ventures. A successful businessman in front of everyone, and the family's boss behind the scenes.
"If you're not going to tell the truth, spare me your excuses," I said to a member of the organization who had betrayed us."
The man cried in pain as I had been forcefully cutting his arm since the morning.
"Kill this useless one, I'm tired," I told my henchman, and I could hear the sound of a well-placed gunshot in my ears."
I felt no remorse. Traitors didn't deserve pity, and I valued respect greatly.
"Sir," one of the henchmen entered my office, "The girl just arrived."
I smiled with satisfaction, like someone awaiting their prey. "Let her in," I said.
I had been observing the beautiful woman for quite a while. She was gorgeous. Her father owed me a lot of money, always drinking and gambling at my business points. Her debt kept accumulating, and I didn't care if this amount wouldn't make a difference to me. I had to set an example for everyone. If I didn't, I'd be the one ending up poor.
Every month we held a meeting about the organization, and I was being pressured to get a wife, that's right. The mafia had a strong connection with traditions and family values. Having a wife was kind of seen as a way to uphold these traditions, pass on values, and create continuity in the family hierarchy.
I wasn't interested in getting married at all, but council approval was important. I liked enjoying life with various women, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone. Observing the daughter of the man who owed me, I became extremely interested. She had something familiar about her, something that drove me crazy. I became obsessed.
Emma would marry me to save her father, and it would be a contractual arrangement. I could go on living my life without a nagging wife demanding fidelity, and at the same time, enjoy the woman I desired—without feelings, of course. I believed that over time, she would also develop a physical interest in me.
When Emma entered and stood before me, I felt something that I couldn't quite explain. It seemed to be physical attraction, or who knows what. Anyway, when I proposed the contract to her, I knew she didn't have much of a choice. So, I would hold a ceremony for the closest ones to witness that I was taking my position seriously and that I was getting married.
And with a girl so beautiful, no one would notice which family she came from. That was the least of my concerns.
I must admit, I enjoyed seeing the fear in her expression, it was amusing. I wanted her, and that was clear. She knew she had to give me whatever I wanted. Otherwise, I would truly kill her father. There are no half-measures with me.
I showed her the mansion, and she observed every detail. Emma looked me up and down, and I believe she summoned the courage to speak to me.
"I will marry you under contract," she said, "But in exchange for my cooperation, I want to ask for something."
"And are you in a position to ask for something?" I laughed ironically.
"I... I just want to ask you to protect my father while I'm here. I will obey you if you protect my father."
I stared at her, studying her as she awaited my response. Her courage intrigued me. It was something rare to find in my world. Most people knew it was better not to make demands. She was different. There was something in her eyes, an indomitable flame that seemed to challenge the darkness surrounding her.
"Alright, Emma," I finally said, making my decision. "I accept your pact. Your cooperation will be valuable."
There was a brief glint of triumph in her eyes, but she quickly controlled it. She knew our agreement was a double-edged sword. She was binding herself to me, to a dangerous and ruthless world. I could wake up today and not know if I'd be alive tomorrow—I was accustomed to that.
"But remember," I added, my voice taking on a darker tone, "you belong to me now. Protection comes at a price."
She nodded, her gaze unwavering. She understood what was at stake, and I knew she didn't underestimate the gravity of the situation.
As we parted ways, I could feel intrigue growing within me. Emma wasn't like the others around me. She was an enigma, a variable I hadn't predicted. And I was eager to see how far her courage would take her in our dark world.
Emma left my presence accompanied by my guards. I poured myself a glass of my finest whiskey and analyzed every detail of her body as I watched her walk toward the exit. What I appreciated most about her was that she didn't comport herself like the others around me. She wasn't afraid to challenge me, and I confess, I loved being challenged.
EmmaI slid my hands along the railing as I climbed the stairs, feeling the security guard following behind me, watching each step I took with meticulous attention. I felt like a cornered prey, a prisoner in every move I made.Andrew DeLuca possessed an aura of authority that spread wherever he went. Every word that came out of his mouth was like a blow, intensifying my anger and desperation. I didn't want to be here, didn't want to be part of this arrangement, but my father's life was at stake, and I couldn't ignore that.My attempts to contact the outside world had been thwarted. They took my cell phone, and I found myself completely isolated. I had always been the master of my own life, and being in this situation of vulnerability was distressing. All my freedom had been taken away from me.The security guard stopped in front of a door, and an elderly woman named Clara appeared."Ms. Emma, I'm Clara. Mr. DeLuca asked me to take care of everything you need. This will be your room fo
Emma The atmosphere was tense and filled with anticipation as I stood by Andrew DeLuca's side, surrounded by the inquisitive glances of his associates. I felt like an intruder in a dark and dangerous world, one I had never imagined becoming a part of. I wondered how I had ended up here. It was something I certainly wished I could change, but as I couldn't, I looked ahead and faced the harsh reality. DeLuca smiled enigmatically at the gathering as if relishing the attention our arrival had garnered. His arm remained firmly around my waist, a silent possession that sent a clear message to everyone present. "I don't want to hear a word more than you should say," he whispered. "I won't say anything more, as long as our deal continues, and my father is safe," I replied with a wink. "I am a man of my word, Emma." He introduced me to each person as if he were holding a trophy, and from what I gathered, getting married was important for him to keep up appearances. The people here seemed
EmmaI got out of bed carefully, my feet touching the floor with light and cautious steps. The knock on the door had pulled me out of my thoughts, but it had also ignited a wave of fear and panic within me. I knew who was on the other side of the door, and the mere idea of facing Andrew DeLuca made my heart race.My steps led me toward the door, my fingers hesitating on the doorknob before finally turning it slowly. I was only in a corset, and I hadn't even realized it until he scanned me from head to toe.The door swung open, revealing the imposing figure of Andrew DeLuca, his dominant posture filling the room's threshold. His intense eyes were fixed on me, and despite my attempts to decipher his expression, it remained an enigma."What do you want?" I spoke, my voice carrying a mix of challenge and nervousness."Is this how you treat your future owner and husband, Emma?" His voice sounded with a mix of sarcasm and au
Andrew DeLuca The silence of the night enveloped me as I finally left Emma's room. The door closed behind me, isolating her from the outside world, but also leaving me alone with my tumultuous thoughts. I walked through the silent corridors of the mansion, my steps firm and determined, but my mind a true storm of internal conflicts. Emma's eyes still danced before mine, an intriguing mix of challenge and vulnerability. She was like a burning flame, difficult to extinguish, even in the face of the circumstances I had created. I wanted her, that was undeniable. From the moment I first saw her, something about her drew me uncontrollably. But I also knew she represented a key piece in my plan, a way to solidify my position as the Don in the hierarchy. While the voices of the association members echoed in my mind, I knew that my decision to marry Emma had been met with a mix of surprise and suspicion. They saw me as just a young man suddenly willing to commit. But I needed to prove I w
Emma I was sitting in my room, staring into space, lost in thoughts about how my life had taken such an unexpected turn. The forced marriage to Andrew hung over me like a dark shadow, and I wondered if I would ever find a way out of this nightmare. I couldn't stop thinking for even a minute. I was pulled from my thoughts when a soft knock on the door echoed through the room. My heart jumped in my chest, and I wondered what it could be this time – was it him? The door opened to reveal one of DeLuca's security guards. "Miss Emma," he said in a deep voice, "Mr. DeLuca requests your presence in his office. He wants you to choose your wedding dress today." I sighed inwardly. Just what I needed. This day was inevitable, but it didn't mean I was looking forward to it. Imagining myself choosing a dress for a day I never even planned for. Andrew DeLuca was determined to keep up appearances, and I needed to make him believe I was committed to this marriage, at least until I found a way to p
Emma The day of the engagement had arrived, and I was immersed in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I didn't want to see these people, and having to pretend to be a happy bride was suffocating. Andrew and I had to continue defining the wedding details, although it was he who truly dictated the rules. We maintained the facade of a passionate couple for the mafia family. It was as if we were building a forced alliance. I thought of my father; every day, I thought of him. How was he doing? Did he think of me? Surely, he was better off than I was. That was clear. The day was just beginning, and I could hear the hustle and bustle of people working, probably preparing for the damn engagement. I left the room in search of some distraction. I was hungry, but I didn't want to go downstairs. After all, I was still a stranger in this mansion. I walked through the hallways silently, marveling at the grandeur of the place. That's when I found a partially open door. My heightened curiosity c
Emma After the engagement dinner, when the guests and his family members finally departed, I felt a momentary relief. Being introduced to his family had made me extremely nervous; marrying him weighed heavily on me. It was evident that they were involved in the worst criminal activities, and this reality was hard to ignore. With a sigh of relief, I kicked off the uncomfortable heels and walked to the balcony. The cool night breeze calmed my nerves as I gazed at the stars in the sky. The distant sounds of the city, mixed with the silence of the mansion, created a contrast that made me reflective. The mansion's view was breathtaking, but I knew that behind the beauty, there was a terrifying darkness. Sitting on the balcony, I began to reminisce about happy moments with my father and the life I used to have before being dragged into this dark world. I remembered how my father used to take me to the park and tell bedtime stories. I recalled the laughter, the smiles, the sunny days when
Andrew DeLuca:Kissing Emma that night was one of the best sensations I've ever experienced. It was as if everything else disappeared, and there were only the two of us in that moment. A primal instinct urged me to strip away the clothes she wore and possess her right there. "Calm down, DeLuca," I whispered to myself, trying to contain my desires. Emma was irresistible, and I continued to be a man, even though this marriage was a sham. Even though I kissed her to keep up appearances in front of the guests, I couldn't deny that a part of me yearned for it.Emma was unlike any woman I had ever met. She was bold, courageous, and didn't seem to care that I was a mafia boss who could end her life at any moment. Our conversations were on equal footing, even though she knew I held a higher position. It intrigued me deeply."Dinner went as planned, Don," Lorenzo approached. "Potential allies we've been trying to win over for a while now have indicated their willingness to do business with us,