THE MONSTER WHO WANTED ME

If anyone ever asked me what it was like growing up in a mafia family, they’d probably expect something dark. Guns hidden in every room of the house, dangerous men scattered across the property, secrets whispered behind closed doors.

But the truth is, my childhood was never like that. My life isn’t like that.

I grew up in a house full of laughter, loud dinners, and lazy Sundays in the garden. My father always said that even though we lived in a dangerous world, even though we were part of the mafia, inside our home we were just a family.

My mother is sweet and elegant. My older sister is my best friend. And my father… well, he could scare half the city with a single look, but to me he always was—and always will be—just Dad.

I knew there were rules in that world. I knew there were men everyone respected… and feared. I knew that one day I would have to get married, and honestly, that didn’t scare me. If anything, it filled my chest with a restless kind of anticipation.

But I’m only seventeen. My father wants me to wait until I’m twenty before I marry and fulfill my duty to the family. It’s torture.

I want to live a great, overwhelming love. I want to feel that rush, to be loved by a powerful man, to be taken by him…

“Daydreaming about being in the arms of some dangerous man again, sister?”

Isabella walks into my room without knocking. I huff, toss my book onto the bed, and shoot her a dirty look. I’d been standing there reading, lost in thoughts about my life.

Isabella laughs at me.

“Does Mom know you still haven’t thrown away those dirty books?” she asks.

“They’re not dirty books. They’re romance novels,” I defend them.

I was reading a copy of Pride and Prejudice. I love love stories—the ones where the men seem impossible at first, but the one you end up wanting is someone else entirely.

“Same difference, Adeline,” she says, letting out a breath and shaking her head, still smiling. “Just don’t let Mom find those books of yours again…”

I smile, knowing she won’t rat me out. Judging by the time, she probably came to call me down for lunch.

“Thanks, Bella,” I say, genuinely grateful she isn’t the annoying kind of older sister.

“Just… please don’t get your head filled with those romances. It’s exciting and thrilling in books. In real life…” She pauses, searching for the right words. “In our life, it doesn’t work that way. It’s dangerous. Painful. And it hurts women in ways that never make it into the stories.”

She speaks like the older sister who’s about to get married. Something tightens in my chest, because I daydream about everything I read in those books.

“I know, Bella,” I say softly.

At lunch, as usual, my mother Luciana was sharing some piece of gossip about the other mafia wives. Only the funny ones, of course—the ones she could actually tell us.

Our father, Stefano, still hadn’t arrived. He was probably out on some job with the Valtieri brothers and the rest of the family.

“There’s an important dinner tonight,” my mother says once we’re all seated at the table.

The news doesn’t exactly thrill me. I’ve never been to one of the mafia dinners. I always stay home, waiting anxiously for them to come back.

I don’t say anything. I just start serving myself. The food smells incredible. Isabella nudges my leg under the table. I look at her, then follow her gaze to our mother.

Mom is watching me with a mix of mystery and amusement.

“You’re coming, Adeline,” she says, smiling. She knows how badly I’ve wanted to go.

I nearly jump out of my chair.

“Calm down,” my mother says. “Your father is only allowing it because tonight Cassian Valtieri is choosing his bride. All the attention will be on that. No one will have time to notice you. You’re still too young for that kind of attention.”

I nod in understanding. Still, it hits me that this also means Isabella could be chosen.

I look at her. Isabella only offers a small smile. Silence settles over the table. We keep serving ourselves and start eating.

A few minutes later, our father arrives. As always, he kisses the top of each of our heads as he walks past.

“Luciana. Upstairs. Now.”

The only thing that sometimes bothers me is the way he talks to Mom. She hadn’t even finished eating.

But some curious, almost condemning part of me wants to experience something like that too.

I want to know what happens when they go upstairs… if it’s anything like the books.

When night falls, a strange nervousness takes over my body. I’m wearing a deep midnight-blue dress—elegant, with sophisticated gold embroidery and delicate sheer sleeves. The neckline is modest and refined.

It had been chosen by my mother.

I don’t think the dress is ugly, but it wouldn’t have been my first choice for tonight. Still, when I look at myself in the mirror, I feel pretty… and delicate.

When I walk into Isabella’s room, I find her standing in front of the mirror, eyes closed. She’s probably meditating to calm her nerves.

She’s wearing a soft nude dress, almost champagne, sophisticated, with delicate, luxurious embroidery.

“You okay?” I ask as I step inside.

She opens her eyes and smiles when she sees me.

“Yeah… just a little nervous.” She takes a deep breath. “It’s never easy standing in front of the mafia families, especially with the Valtieris there. They’re terrifying.”

She speaks quickly, revealing more nerves than she’s trying to show. I only know the Valtieri family by name. I’ve never seen any of them.

I’m about to ask what they look like—especially their faces—when our mother walks in, looking absolutely stunning.

“Isabella. Adeline.” Her voice pulls our attention immediately. “Don’t look at anyone for more than two seconds. Especially not the Valtieris. Stay neutral. A slight nod of the head is enough. Say only what’s necessary.”

Mom seems even more nervous than Isabella. I decide not to ask questions. It would only make her stress worse. I just take a deep breath… and remind myself to behave like a good daughter trained for this life.

The car slows as we turn onto a road lined with rows of illuminated cypress trees. At the end of the path, the Palazzo Valtieri rises in front of us.

My father had said the dinner would be at one of the Valtieri properties, but this doesn’t look like a mansion or a simple estate. It looks like a real palace.

The pale stone building stands imposing against the night sky, its enormous windows glowing from within. A wide staircase leads up to the main entrance, where tall columns support an elegant balcony.

Armed men are positioned discreetly throughout the grounds. To me, it doesn’t feel like overkill. It feels like power. They really do own everything.

In the center of the façade, above the massive double doors, is the Valtieri family crest—a falcon with its wings spread wide. My stomach tightens.

We’re entering their territory.

Isabella squeezes my hand, noticing how lost I am in every detail of the place and everything racing through my mind.

When we step inside, the men who see us—especially those who recognize my father—bow their heads in respect. My father is feared, and close to the Valtieri family.

The main hall is enormous. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft golden light over everything. Round tables covered in black tablecloths are scattered across the space, dark floral arrangements in the center of each one.

Men in impeccable suits stand talking in groups. Elegant women move slowly through the room.

But even with all those people… the air feels quiet. Tense. Something heavy hangs over the place. I can feel it in my entire body.

A few curious glances turn toward me. I must look like a novelty among them—and in a way, I am. A complete newcomer, wide-eyed at all this luxury and power.

We’re led to the table with our father’s name and take our seats. Dad pulls a small gold pin from his pocket and fastens it to Isabella’s dress.

I notice several other women wearing the same pin. They must be the ones selected for Cassian Valtieri to consider.

“I’m sure that if Adeline were old enough to marry, she’d be walking out of here engaged tonight too,” my father murmurs to both of us. “Those bastards can’t take their eyes off her.”

That makes me laugh quietly. Dad is jealous.

“What do you mean, Dad?” Isabella asks.

The three of us turn to look at her.

“Adeline would be engaged too? Did you already make some deal with Kael Valtieri so that Cassian would choose me?”

Kael Valtieri must be the oldest brother. The leader. Dad takes a deep breath before answering.

“No, Isabella,” he says firmly. “I didn’t. Even though Valtieri suggested joining our families and canceling this whole dinner.”

I feel myself sit up a little straighter.

“I don’t want Cassian to choose you,” he continues. “But unfortunately, I couldn’t refuse the invitation to this dinner. So now… pray he doesn’t pick you.”

He shoots Isabella a quick look before adding:

“Though I think that’s almost impossible. You’re the most beautiful of the ones selected.”

His words plant a small seed of fear inside me.

After dropping that bomb on Isabella, our father stands up from the table. Someone has called him over. I watch him walk away before turning my attention back to my mother and sister.

“Should I be this scared?” I ask. “Without even having seen the Valtieri family? Are they monsters like in horror movies?”

Isabella manages a small laugh. Mom, on the other hand, stays serious.

“Yes,” she answers simply.

I wasn’t expecting such a direct confirmation.

“But not in appearance. They’re very handsome…” she continues. “Still, they’re a nightmare. Especially Silas. He’s the worst of them.”

I swallow hard.

“But don’t worry, sister,” Isabella says, trying to sound light. “Me and the other girls here will keep you from having to marry any of them. You won’t have to suffer through that.”

She speaks like a protective older sister.

“That’s unfortunately true. You’re still only seventeen…” my mother says with a sigh. “But don’t fill her head with false hope, Isabella. There are other men here who are just as bad.”

She lowers her gaze a little.

“This isn’t the life I wanted for you girls, but…”

“It’s not your fault, Mom…” Isabella says quickly.

“It’s really not, Mom,” I add. “We’ve already accepted the life we have—and the one that comes after marriage too. You’ve never hidden anything from us. We’re ready for whatever comes.”

“Yes. We’re ready,” Isabella says, looking at me.

But I see the fear in her eyes. She doesn’t actually feel ready to get married… even though she’s learned everything she needs to know.

A few more minutes pass. My stomach starts complaining about the hunger. My expression probably gives away how frustrated I am that we have to wait for the Valtieri family to arrive before anyone can start eating.

Not to mention the anxiety building inside me. After all… I’m about to see the faces of the feared Valtieri family for the first time.

Suddenly, the hall grows quieter. No one announces anything. It just happens. Conversations fade little by little, as if an invisible wave has passed through the room.

Some men stand. Others simply straighten in their chairs. Our father moves closer to the doors. With a single gesture of his hand, everyone rises. I do the same as my mother and Isabella.

I look around, confused. Then I understand. The massive doors of the hall are opening.

The Valtieri family has arrived.

Everyone near the entrance gives a slight nod of respect. I do the same, immediately remembering my mother’s instructions.

A slight bow of the head.

I repeat in my mind: Don’t look. Don’t stare. Don’t draw attention.

But then… something makes me lift my eyes. Curiosity wins.

When I raise my gaze, they’re already walking in. Tall men in dark, impeccable suits move with a calm that seems to dominate the entire room.

But one of them completely captures my attention.

He walks a few steps behind the others. Tall. Very tall. His blond hair is perfectly swept back, and a thin scar cuts through one eyebrow.

His face is serious—almost too cold. He’s handsome. Handsome in a dangerous, magnetic way. But what holds me most… are his eyes.

Cold. Hard. Terrifying. Killer eyes.

He looks like a man who has never known mercy.

My heart starts beating far too fast. I should lower my eyes. I should look at anything else. But I can’t. I have to part my lips just to release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. My lips feel dry, and I run my tongue over them to wet them.

And in that small instant… I realize the blond man’s gaze is locked on me.