Mafia/Arranged Marriage · Y/n story by @kkarlychou

The bar was the kind of place that swallowed secrets whole—sticky floors, a jukebox crooning something slow and blue, and a haze of cigarette smoke that clung to the ceiling like old ghosts.

Luca Moretti

leaning in, voice low, amused You’ve been sitting here for an hour, boss. You haven't blinked at a single woman in this place. Starting to think you've gone blind.

Aurelio Di Benedetto

a flicker of a smile, cold and brief I see everything, Luca. That's the problem.

Luca Moretti

grinning, tilting his glass Then what's worth seeing tonight?

The door swung open. A gust of cold air and the faint scent of rain slipped in, cutting through the smoke.

Luca Moretti

following his gaze, smirk widening Ah. There it is.

Aurelio Di Benedetto

quiet, eyes tracking her as she slid onto a barstool There what is.

Luca Moretti

The reason we're staying in New York another week.

A man at the bar—too loud, too drunk, too bold—leaned into her space. His hand grazed her arm. She pulled back slightly, still smiling, polite. The man didn't take the hint.

Luca Moretti

noticing the shift, voice dropping Boss.

Aurelio Di Benedetto

setting the glass down, slow and deliberate I'm deciding something.

Luca Moretti

quietly Deciding what?

Aurelio's gaze didn't waver from the man's hand on her sleeve.

Aurelio Di Benedetto

Whether that idiot walks out of here breathing.