TAMING THE MAFIA BOSS

The sleek black car glided through the Tuscan countryside, winding past olive groves and vineyards as the sun dipped beneath the Florence skyline. Stephanie Moretti tapped her fingers impatiently against her phone screen, scrolling through summit briefings she had already memorized. She was heading to one of the most important summits of her career. This time it was more than just her father's turf. It included hers also.

Her assistant’s voice crackled through the Bluetooth. “Ms. Moretti, your security detail is just five minutes behind. Traffic’s cleared.”

Stephanie exhaled, tugging at the high collar of her silk blouse. “Tell them to hurry up. I don’t like driving this exposed.”

Her gut had been uneasy all morning. Chalk it up to the looming tech summit or the fact that her father had been acting...strange lately. There had been hushed phone calls, vague explanations, and a sudden reluctance to let her travel alone. Which shouldn't be abnormal, it was what he usually did most times, only it had increased over the days, especially after one of his trips to Greece. She waved it off, like she had been doing ever since. It was just Paranoia.

She should’ve insisted on a security convoy. But she hated being treated like a porcelain doll. It made her feel suffocated. Caged. And she was one for freedom. So she avoided it whenever she could. Besides she would be done with this summit and back in Milan before the day ran out.

If only her heart would stop beating massively against her chest.

The car screeched suddenly to a halt. Tires exploded. The driver barely managed to shout before a black SUV rammed into them from the side, sending the world spinning.

Stephanie's head spun. Her side Glass shattered. She screamed or was it her secretary? She couldn't tell. . Smoke filled the car.

Stephanie’s head slammed into the window, pain blooming behind her eyes. Hands dragged her from the wreckage. Her vision blurred as she was shoved into a different vehicle and everything went black as she landed with a thud in the back seat of the car.

She awoke on a leather couch, wrists bound, head throbbing. The room was dim, the scent of cigar smoke heavy in the air.

“Good. You're awake.”

The voice was smooth, deep, with a sharp edge that sounder strangely familiar. Where had she heard this voice? . Stephanie blinked into the shadows her eyes trying to get adjusted to the dim lights.

A man stood by the window, back straight, posture commanding. His dark eyes locked on her like a predator studying prey. Who was this?

“You must be wondering why you’re here.” He spoke swiftly.

“I—” Her voice cracked. She swallowed. “Who the hell are you?”She tried to stand but discovered that she had been tied. What the–

He walked closer, each step deliberate. “Damian Russo.”

Stephanie’s breath hitched. Russo. She knew the name. It was Mafia royalty. Untouchable. Dangerous. What was he doing kidnapping her ?

She tried not to let her fear show. Mafia or not. He had no right kidnapping her.

“You’ve made a mistake,” she said, lifting her chin. “Whatever this is—my father can pay you—”

A low dangerous chuckle.

"money? " Another laugh "spoken like the spoilt heiress that you are"

“I don’t want your father’s money.” Damian’s gaze darkened. “I want payback, revenge, a life for a life".

That Scared her.

She froze. “revenge for what?” she asked tentatively, trying to look strong.

Damian threw a file onto the table in front of her. It slid open. Grainy photographs. Surveillance shots. An explosion. A charred corpse in a body bag.

The photos looked strange to her. She looked up at him in confusion. None of this meant anything to her. He noticed her confused look.

“My brother,” he said coldly. “Antonio Russo. The man your father had murdered.”

He looked at her, like any of what he was saying should make sense to her.

"You'll be the one to suffer it. I'll make your father pay for murdering my brother!"

“That's a lie!" Stephanie shook her head, heart pounding. “That’s not possible. My father doesn’t—he’s a businessman—”she faltered as she spoke. Was there anything her father was not telling her?

“A businessman who launders cartel money, sells encrypted tech to warlords, and signs death warrants from his penthouse,” Damian growled. "What a businessman he is" His voice steeled, "don’t play innocent, princess. I know what your family is.”

Stephanie’s voice wavered. “There must be a mistake—my father would never–” Her voice normalized " he doesn't kill".

But even as she said it, doubt crept in. The late-night meetings. The encrypted servers. Her father’s sudden wealth expansion. They were rich no doubt but.. What if? She shook her head. No!

Damian pulled out her phone. Dialed a number. How had he even opened it? Hackers, obviously .

The call rang once, then connected. He put it on speaker.

“Stephanie?” came the familiar voice of Arturo Moretti, calm and clipped.

“She's Alive,” Damian said flatly. “Unless you want her blood spilled across Florence, I suggest you listen carefully.”

"who's this? Where's Stephanie?!"her father's angry voice came on.

"Dad! I've been kidnapped by a psychopath! He claims you killed someone, save me dad! I—" her mouth was gagged by one of the guards.

A pause.

"This is Damian right?" he asked.

"you are smart indeed" Damian said with a wicked chuckle.

What do you want?” her father asked.

“A confession. For ordering the hit that killed my brother. I want you to admit it. And surrender.”

Arturo’s reply was immediate. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I had no involvement in your brother’s death.You of all people should know that.,"

Damian’s eyes never left Stephanie’s face.

“Wrong answer.”

“Don’t you touch her—”

The call ended.

Stephanie's heart pounded. “Please… don’t do this. I didn’t know. I didn’t do anything—”

“You didn't have to be involved. Your father already signed your death sentence ,” Damian said quietly.

She blinked. “Please let me go! I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding and we can all sit down and settle this amicably. Once you let me go," she tried to be diplomatic.

He smiled—but it wasn’t warm. “No. Your father lied–and he will bleed. And you—”

He stepped closer, voice like a blade to her throat. “You’re going to help me ruin him. Publicly. Personally. Permanently.”

“you know I wouldn't do that.” she whispered, trembling.

“Yes I know ".Damian said, grabbing a wine glass and swirling its contents. “That's why you’re going to marry me.”

Silence. He sipped his drink like be hadn't just upturned her life from the bottom up.

Stephanie stared at him, thunderstruck. who was he? She didn't understand how and why she had been thrown in this mess? How had she gone from being in a summit to being held captive against her will.

“I’d rather die,” she hissed. She didn't care anymore, mafia or not she was not going to marry some random stranger.

“That was the other option,” he said, calm as ice.

"......," she was lost for words.