My name is Tara Harper.
Mafia princess.
Thrives in chaos.
Life of the party.
But there's a secret. A secret so ugly, that I hide.
His name is Alec Romano.
Loyal.
Lives in Violence.
Untouchable.
I want him. Will do anything to get him. Problem...
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I woke up groggily, my head still heavy with sleep. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room. I stumbled out of bed, my movements slow and disoriented, and made my way to the breakfast table.
As I sat down, I nearly toppled over, my head drooping toward the plate in front of me. I barely registered the food spread out before me. My brother, Lucian, noticed my state and gently pulled me back, his hands steady and comforting.
"Hey, Tara," he said softly, his voice cutting through the fog of my drowsiness. "Wake up. You need to eat something."
I blinked, trying to focus on him. "I'm awake," I mumbled, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over me. My eyes drifted back to the plate, but I struggled to keep them open.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the haze, carrying a sharp edge of disappointment. "Look at you, Tara. How useless and worthless you are, even in the morning."
The words came from my father, his tone heavy with disapproval. I flinched at the sound, the sting of his words cutting through the haze of sleep. I glanced at Lucian, who had gone rigid beside me. His face darkened with anger, and he shot a glare in our father's direction.
"Dad, can you just not?" Lucian snapped, his voice rising in frustration. "We're trying to have a peaceful breakfast here. Let's talk business instead."
The abrupt change in topic seemed to catch our father off guard, but his gaze remained hard. "Business, huh?" he grumbled, though he reluctantly shifted his focus.
Lucian took a deep breath, clearly trying to maintain his composure. "Yes, business. We need to discuss the new deal and—"
The conversation quickly veered into the realm of business, with Lucian doing his best to steer it away from the personal and uncomfortable. I slumped slightly, trying to shake off the sting of our father's words
Shopping trips with Lucian were always an adventure. Today was no different. As we entered the bustling mall, I felt a familiar sense of excitement. The shops were alive with vibrant colors and enticing displays, and I was ready to dive into it all.
"Alright, Lucian," I said with a grin, "let's start with the shoe store. I saw some amazing heels last week that I have to try on."
Lucian rolled his eyes playfully but followed me without complaint. "Lead the way, little sis."
As we made our way through the mall, I couldn't help but notice how much Lucian enjoyed spoiling me. He might pretend to be annoyed, but I knew he loved these outings just as much as I did. I darted from one store to the next, picking out clothes, shoes, and accessories, while Lucian trailed behind, carrying an ever-growing pile of shopping bags.
