ROSALINA'S POV Mark kick-started his Harley, and we sped off. I glanced back at my picturesque home, which diminished as we rode further down the road. I felt a prickling sensation in my chest—guilt. I didn't want to imagine how my family would react when they find out I was gone. Especially Nonna and Lily, who cared for me the most in that house. Nonno would probably go berserk upon hearing the news and comb the entire New York City to drag my disobedient ass back home. But that shouldn't concern me right now. What I should be concerned about was how I was gonna find my mamma in Chicago. I had booked my flight tickets and a hotel room a week ago and I had enough money that I saved up from my allowances so I can travel. If only Mamma had given me her number too so that I could contact her. Only the home address was given to me in the letter. Regardless, I will find her. "You sure as hell got a lot of balls to do this," Mark commented. I could tell he had a smirk on his face insi

LEONARDO'S POV I revved my engine, feeling the power of my red Ferrari seething beneath me. The Lamborghini behind me was no match for my speed and skill. "Whoa!" The girl gasped as I sped up the Ferrari to 150 miles per hour. I smirked as I took a sharp turn, feeling G-force push me into my seat. The Lamborghini tired to keep up, I knew I had the upper hand. It was then I spotted a narrow street up ahead, barely wide enough for one car. A mischievous grin spread across my face as I gunned the engine, determined to overtake the Lamborghini no matter what took. I weaved through the traffic, my senses high on adrenaline. As we approached the narrow street, I heard the girl's breath hitch in her throat. "What are you doing?!" "Brace yourself, babe." I said as I gripped the wheel. It was too late to turn back, I shot through the narrow streets, barely missing the walls on either side. The Lamborghini tried to follow, but it crashed the brick wall and I emerged on the other side, winni

ROSALINA'S POV Saint grabbed my elbow and dragged me inside the house where all of my family members were waiting. The stares aimed at me caused my pulse to quicken with anticipation, as though I were an animal on display at a zoo. Nonno scrunched up his nose upon seeing me and Nonna, who stood right beside him, shook her head in disappointment. "I'll talk to her." My Uncle Ricardo offered. Among my three uncles, he was the most caring and patient one, and he understood that my Nonno's temperament could harm me if no one intervened. Uncle Ricardo halted in his tracks as Nonno gave him a lethal, gray-eyed glare. "You got something to say, young lady?" Nonno asked gruffly, pinning those steely eyes on me and raising his cleft chin up a little. Did I really have something to say after being caught red-handed? Nope, not at all. So I kept quiet. "I asked you a fucking question!" Nonno's sudden outburst caused my shoulders to jump. My body shook so much that only an earthquake match

ROSALINA'S POVThe next Sunday came, which meant all of my family members would gather around the table for family dinner. Well, technically we are just your average, everyday family - if your idea of normal was living in a mansion, wielding power and influence like it's nobody's business, and occasionally making offers that people can't refuse.My friends talked about the romanticized version of the mafia (From Mafia novels mostly). Most of them were about a rich and handsome Mafia man and a damsel in distress, or that cliché arranged marriage trope. I found it funny how contradictory it was to the real thing.Made Men were the least desirable partners. Most of them were self-centered assholes who didn't give two fucks about fidelity.Now, don't get me wrong. I wasn't talking about ALL Made Men, but most of them were jerks. Take my Nonno Matteo Russo, for instance. He was a good husband to Nonna, and I don't think he ever cheated on her, considering how obsessed he was with her. But

FLASHBACKROSALINA'S POV(Five years old)"I want to tell you somethin'" Papa stood at the kitchen doorway, hiding his hands in his pant pockets. Mama paid no attention to him, she kept scrubbing the dishes from the sink.Papa almost begged, "Alina, are you even listening to me?'""I'm listening," Her voice was uncaring. As if she already knew what he was about to say wouldn't have any effect on her.Papa swallowed a lump trapped in his throat. "I hooked up with a girl once. It was a one-time thing. I just needed to feel something because you were always shutting me out and I..."THUD!The porcelain coffee mug crashed into the plates after Mamma dropped it so abruptly that even I shrieked from the dinner table. I was playing with one of the Barbie dolls after my evening dance practice, still in my pink tutu. Mamma shot me a look that made me shrink in my chair."Go to your room," She ordered with a face stripped of any emotion.I grabbed my doll and ran outside the kitchen, but I was s