The Costantino empire had fallen.
Through a century's worth of close encounters with misfortune, authority, and its own demise, the mafia famiglia held fast to its criminal roots within society. Leadership passed from capable hands to the next in hopes that whomever guided the empire would induce greatness and prosperity within.
Appointing Giorgio Costantino to do so was a definite step in the wrong direction.
"Impulsive."
"Selfish."
Those who plotted a coup against their superior had good reason; whilst occupied with the lustier benefits of leadership ― sex, drugs, and everything in between ― Don Costantino's assets succumbed to the parasitic power cravings of the ever growing Malvagios, a famiglia whose resources were once trivial in comparison.
Soon, the combined forces of the Malvagios and the coup ended Don Costantino's reign, crippling what structure remained and ushered in a new leader, the bastard child of the late Don. Heirless, powerless, and foolish, his reign was expected to be brief.
He wasn't expected to thrive.
Through Don Luca Costantino, son of corruption, heir to imminent extinction, the Costantinos would begin their ascension back into power, fame, and glory.
All they needed was help from the unexpected.
As Claire aims to leave her oppressive stepfamily behind, she befriends Zion. Will he be her ticket to freedom or a distraction in achieving her dreams?
*****
Claire Olsen has had a crush on Zion Petrakis since the first time she laid eyes on him, but he never noticed, instead only having eyes on the school's it girl, Maddie Jennings. Knowing she couldn't compete with Maddie, Claire hid her feelings for Zion, satisfied with admiring him from afar. However, when a series of events led Claire closer to Zion, her feelings for him grew from infatuation to love. And despite fighting hard to keep her feelings contained by distancing herself from Zion, he was determined to show her that he's earned a spot in her life.
[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]