The Mafia's desire

The Mafia's desire

Zera McDaniels

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He was born in blood. She was born in light. Their worlds were never meant to collide--until one dangerous night bound them forever. Adrian Romano is ruthless, feared, untouchable-the heir to the most powerful mafia family in New York. He kills without hesitation, takes without asking, and rules without mercy. Love has no place in his world. Sophia Moreno is everything he should destroy. Innocent, radiant, untainted by the shadows that consume him. She should have walked away the night she saw him pull the trigger. But Adrian doesn't let go of what he desires. Drawn into a dangerous obsession, Sophia becomes the target of enemies who would do anything to break the Romano empire. To keep her safe, Adrian must fight a war that could cost him his crown, his soul... or her life. But in a world built on betrayal and blood, desire can be more dangerous than bullets. And once the mafia claims you, there's no escape.

Chapter 1 The party

The glass chandeliers glittered like fallen stars, their light bouncing off marble floors polished to a mirror sheen. The Romano estate was less a house and more a kingdom-sprawling acres of manicured gardens, private fountains, and iron gates that whispered power before a guest even stepped inside.

Sophia Moreno paused at the entrance, her fingers tightening on the silver clutch she carried. She felt out of place already, her emerald dress far too simple among the jeweled gowns and diamonds dripping from every woman in sight.

"Relax," her friend Maria whispered, looping her arm through Sophia's. "They're just people."

Sophia forced a smile, but her pulse was racing. Just people? The men in black suits lining the walls weren't ordinary men. Their sharp gazes missed nothing, and the guns outlined beneath their tailored jackets made her stomach twist.

This was no ordinary party. It was the Romano family's annual gala-a gathering whispered about across New York, where politicians, businessmen, and socialites mingled under the roof of the city's most feared mafia dynasty.

And Sophia had no idea why she agreed to come.

The music swelled, violins weaving a delicate melody as couples danced across the floor. Waiters glided between guests with trays of champagne, their movements as rehearsed as soldiers on parade. Everything was perfect, flawless... intimidating.

Sophia's eyes wandered, unable to help herself. Every corner of the estate screamed wealth and power-oil paintings in gilded frames, statues imported from Europe, even the scent of the air: expensive wine and roses blooming in crystal vases.

But it wasn't the luxury that made her uneasy. It was the men. Broad-shouldered, watchful, dangerous. Even in tailored tuxedos, they carried themselves like predators dressed in silk.

One man, however, drew her attention more than the rest.

He wasn't speaking, merely standing near the balcony with a glass of scotch in his hand. The crowd seemed to bend unconsciously around him, leaving space as if proximity alone was a risk. His dark suit was cut to perfection, his shoulders wide, posture straight. Black hair slicked back, jaw sharp enough to cut glass.

And his eyes-when they lifted, sweeping over the room-were as cold as steel.

Sophia's breath caught. Their gazes met for the briefest second, and it felt like a jolt of electricity ran down her spine. He looked away, as though she were nothing, yet her knees nearly weakened.

"Who is that?" she whispered to Maria.

Maria followed her gaze and blinked. "Adrian Romano," she said softly, almost reverently. "The heir."

Sophia's stomach dropped. She'd heard the name before-everyone had. Adrian Romano was rumored to be ruthless, merciless, the future king of New York's underworld. They said he had blood on his hands already, though no court would ever prove it.

Sophia quickly turned away, pretending interest in the musicians on stage. Don't stare. Don't give him a reason to notice you.

But it was too late. She already felt noticed.

Maria tugged her toward the bar. "Come on, one drink won't kill you."

Sophia allowed herself to be dragged, still hyper aware of the man on the balcony. She could feel his presence like a shadow pressing against her skin. She tried to focus on Maria's chatter, the swirl of voices around them, the fizz of champagne in crystal glasses.

Yet when she glanced sideways again, Adrian Romano was gone.

A strange disappointment bloomed in her chest, chased immediately by relief. Better this way. Better to remain invisible in a world like this.

But the night was only beginning.

And unseen from across the room, Adrian Romano hadn't taken his eyes off her for long.

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Chapters
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The Mafia's desire
1

Chapter 1 The party

12/09/2025

2

Chapter 2 The heir

12/09/2025

3

Chapter 3 Shadows in silk

12/09/2025

4

Chapter 4 Cracks in the glass

12/09/2025

5

Chapter 5 Fire in the ballroom

12/09/2025

6

Chapter 6 Blood and shadows

12/09/2025

7

Chapter 7 Through the fire

12/09/2025

8

Chapter 8 No way out

12/09/2025

9

Chapter 9 Ghost of the past

12/09/2025

10

Chapter 10 The hunt in shadows

12/09/2025

11

Chapter 11 The bridge of blood

12/09/2025

12

Chapter 12 Bullet between hearts

12/09/2025

13

Chapter 13 The shattered bridge

12/09/2025

14

Chapter 14 Into the Abyss

12/09/2025

15

Chapter 15 Blood in the water

12/09/2025

16

Chapter 16 Dominance in the Deep

12/09/2025

17

Chapter 17 Chaos in the canal

12/09/2025

18

Chapter 18 Struggle Beneath the Waves

12/09/2025

19

Chapter 19 The Hunt in the Flood

09/10/2025

20

Chapter 20 The Race Against the River

09/10/2025

21

Chapter 21 Survival Instincts

09/10/2025

22

Chapter 22 Shadows in the Current

09/10/2025

23

Chapter 23 A Leap of Fate

09/10/2025

24

Chapter 24 The Brink of Survival

09/10/2025

25

Chapter 25 The Tide Turns

09/10/2025

26

Chapter 26 Fire and Flood

09/10/2025

27

Chapter 27 A Deadly Separation

09/10/2025

28

Chapter 28 The Final Surge

09/10/2025

29

Chapter 29 Clash in the Currents

09/10/2025

30

Chapter 30 The Last Strike

09/10/2025

31

Chapter 31 Blood in the Water

09/10/2025

32

Chapter 32 Ash and Shadows

09/10/2025

33

Chapter 33 The Leap

11/10/2025

34

Chapter 34 The Tunnel of Shadows

11/10/2025

35

Chapter 35 The Drowning Silence

11/10/2025

36

Chapter 36 The Floodgates

11/10/2025

37

Chapter 37 Into the Maelstrom

11/10/2025

38

Chapter 38 Fears

11/10/2025

39

Chapter 39 The shadows

11/10/2025

40

Chapter 40 Beneath the Surface

11/10/2025