To save her family from financial ruin, Elena Romano is forced into an arranged marriage with the most feared man in New York's underworld-Luca Moretti, a ruthless mafia boss. What begins as a cold, loveless union soon transforms as Elena discovers...
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The weight of the title still felt heavy, like the ring on my finger that I couldn't quite get used to. Mafia queen. It was such a foreign concept, yet here I was, stepping into Luca's world in a way I had never imagined. Today, we were heading to the warehouse—a crucial part of his operations—and Luca made it clear this was more than just a routine visit. He wanted to introduce me to the family, to the men who worked under him, and establish my position. I was no longer just his wife. I was his partner in the eyes of the mafia.
The car ride was quiet, filled with the kind of tension that left the air thick and suffocating. I kept my eyes out the window, watching the city pass by, but my thoughts were elsewhere. What was I about to walk into? I had never been around such power before, such danger, and now I was meant to stand beside it like I belonged.
I glanced at Luca, his sharp profile illuminated by the fading daylight. He looked calm, as always. His expression was unreadable, his hands resting lightly on the steering wheel. Every movement he made was calculated, deliberate. There was never an ounce of hesitation. I envied that about him. I wanted to carry that same confidence when we arrived, but my nerves were bubbling just beneath the surface.
The warehouse loomed ahead, a massive, industrial building with dark windows that seemed to watch us as we approached. The metal doors groaned as they slid open, revealing a bustling interior filled with men talking in low voices. As soon as Luca stepped out, the noise stopped. Everyone turned, their eyes immediately fixed on him. But it was more than that. It was as if the very air changed when he walked in, charged with his presence. I stepped out behind him, trying to match his posture, trying to project strength, but every nerve in my body screamed to run.
Inside, the scent of oil and smoke clung to the air. Luca walked forward, every step steady and deliberate. I followed closely, feeling the weight of a hundred stares on me. The room was filled with men—some young, some older—but all of them had an air of danger, a roughness that made it clear this was a world where only the strong survived. I could feel their eyes on me, assessing, judging. I straightened my back, willing myself not to shrink under their scrutiny.
Luca stopped in the center of the room, turning to face the men who had gathered around. He didn't need to raise his voice to get their attention. They were already hanging on his every word. His hand rested lightly on the small of my back, guiding me forward so I was standing beside him.
"This is Elena," Luca said, his voice commanding but calm. "She's my wife now. The queen of this family."
There was a murmur of voices, but it was suppressed. I could feel the tension, the uncertainty. I wasn't one of them, and they knew it. But Luca's presence left no room for argument. His hand remained firm against my back, a silent reassurance that he was in control of the situation.
"You will treat her with the same respect you give me," Luca continued, his eyes sweeping over the room. "Understand?"
The room fell silent. A few of the men exchanged glances, but none of them dared to question him. Luca had spoken, and that was final. I let out a slow breath, the tension easing slightly from my shoulders. It was a small victory, but it was something.
