Mafia Queen: Engaged to The Lion

"How's the family been? How are things here?" I settled back into the couch, ready to catch up on everything I'd missed.

Mom and Dad exchanged a loaded glance. The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.

"What?" My eyes darted between them. "What's wrong?"

Dad's jaw clenched. He walked to the bar cart and poured himself two fingers of scotch. "The Kabbaros."

My blood ran cold. The Kabbaros had been our main rivals for as long as I could remember. "What about them?"

"They've grown stronger." Mom's voice was tight. "Much stronger."

"How? They were barely holding onto their territory last time I—"

"Shanya Kabbaro married Antonio Ricci six months ago." Dad knocked back his scotch in one gulp. "The Ricci family's backing them now."

I felt the color drain from my face. The Riccis controlled most of New York's underworld. "You're telling me they joined forces?"

"More than that." Mom's fingers twisted her pearl necklace. "They're united now. One power. And they're coming for us, Isabella. All the signs are there."

"Antonio Ricci's not just muscle." Dad set his glass down with a sharp crack. "He's smart. Strategic. And Shanya..." He shook his head. "She's twice as cunning as her father ever was. Together, they're a threat unlike anything we've faced."

I leaned forward, my mind racing. "How bad is it?"

"They've already taken the Martinez territory." Mom's voice quivered. "Three of our oldest allies have switched sides. We're losing ground, losing people..."

"Jesus." I ran a hand through my hair. The Martinez family had been untouchable for decades. If they fell... "Why didn't you call me? Let me know what was happening?"

"We wanted you to have your peace." Mom's eyes softened. "After everything with..." She trailed off, sparing me from hearing his name.

"You chose a different path." Dad refilled his glass, this time with less force. "Found your own way. Who were we to drag you back into this life?"

I crossed my arms. "I'm still family."

"You are." Dad's expression shifted, pride mixing with something deeper. "That's exactly why I knew you'd find your way back when the time was right. The Romano blood runs strong."

"Your father insisted." Mom shot him a look that carried years of unspoken arguments. "Said if you were meant to return, you'd do it on your own terms. Not because we pulled you in."

"And here you are." Dad gestured with his glass. "Just like I knew you would be."

The weight of their words settled over me. They'd watched our family's empire crumble, piece by piece, and still chose to let me live in ignorance. Protected me, even as everything threatened to collapse around them.

"I left because I thought I found something better." My voice cracked. "Not because I stopped being a Romano."

"We know, sweetheart." Mom reached across and squeezed my hand. "We know."

"How can I help?" The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Five years of running from this life, and here I was, diving right back in.

Mom and Dad shared another look. The kind that made my stomach twist.

"What?" I straightened my spine. "Whatever it is, just tell me."

Mom's fingers drummed against her knee. "There might be a way." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "But after what happened with—" She caught herself. "After everything you've been through, we can't ask this of you."

"Ask what?" The tension in the room was suffocating. "Stop treating me like I'm made of glass. I can handle it."

Dad stood, pacing toward the window. The city lights cast shadows across his face. "Marriage."

The word hit me like a slap. "What?"

"A strategic alliance." He turned back to face me. "There are still powerful families who haven't sided with the Ricci-Kabbaro union. Families who'd stand with us, given the right... motivation."

"You want me to marry into one of these families?" My throat went dry. "After what happened last time I—"

"That's exactly why we didn't want to suggest it." Mom's eyes welled with tears. "You deserve better than being used as a bargaining chip."

"But together," Dad's voice grew stronger, "with the right alliance, we could match their strength. Maybe even surpass it."

I stood up, my legs shaking. Five years ago, I'd sworn I'd never let anyone control my life again. Never let myself be trapped in a loveless relationship. But this wasn't about love, was it? This was about survival. About family.

"Who?" The question came out steadier than I felt.

"Marco Vercetti." Dad's words hung in the air like smoke.

My knees buckled. I gripped the edge of the couch to steady myself. "The Lion? Are you serious?"

The same man they'd tried to marry me off to five years ago. The reason I'd run away, found Alexander, thought I could escape this life. Back then, the mere thought of being handed over like a prize had made my skin crawl.

"He's still unmarried." Dad's voice softened. "And his influence has only grown."

My fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. The irony wasn't lost on me – running from an arranged marriage only to end up right back where I started.

I walked to the window, pressing my forehead against the cool glass. Five years ago, I'd been young, naive, desperate for love. Now? My chest ached with the fresh wounds of betrayal. Love had brought me nothing but pain.

"You don't have to do this." Mom's voice cracked. "We'll find another way."

But would we? The Ricci-Kabbaro alliance was crushing us. Our territory, our allies, everything my family had built over generations – all of it slipping away.

What did I have to lose anyway? My dreams of true love lay shattered at my feet. At least this way, I could protect what mattered.

"I'll do it." The words tasted bitter on my tongue.

"Bella—" Mom started.

"No." I turned to face them. "I'm not that scared girl anymore. If this is what it takes to save our family, then I'll marry Marco."