Resisting the Mobster

Luca

Despite being raised in the lap of luxury, I’m a simple man. It was easy to stay grounded growing up when I was so keenly aware that the wealth surrounding me wasn’t mine. My family owes everything to Leonardo Rossi, and I’m happy to serve his family, proud to keep them safe. So, when I find out that Leonardo’s son needs protection for his new wife’s family, I readily volunteer. It doesn’t hurt that my protectee is the beautiful little baker I met the day of Matteo’s wedding. She’s as innocent and sweet as the desserts she makes, but she’s haunted by a past ready to rear its ugly head and disturb the peace she’s fought so hard to find. I’m not about to let that happen. She might not realize it yet, but Matilde Marino has held my heart since the day we met. May God have mercy on the soul of anyone who dares try to hurt her, because I sure as hell won’t. Matilde is mine.

Matilde

I lived through a nightmare when I was only fourteen. Every day since then has been a bad dream until my cousin Sofia marries mafia prince Matteo Rossi. I have hope for the first time as Sofia’s new husband helps my twin sister and me escape from under our uncle’s thumb. We’re suddenly free to pursue the lives we actually want. I’m on the cusp of opening the bakery I’ve always dreamed of having in the historic building we inherited from our mother’s family. I might even be on my way to finding love if what I think I see in Luca Conti’s eyes is real and not just my own wishful thinking. Except it seems nothing good comes without a price, and when bad things start happening all around me, my only refuge is Luca’s arms. But do I really know Luca as well as I think I do? Or is he just a different flavor of the same violence that stole my parents and haunts my dreams?