Falling for My Mafia Stepbrother

er's

ester," I said, smiling at

ith a white skirt. This outfit wasn't exactly glamorous, but it made me look youthful and cute-perfect for spring. Lucki

hool soon. Matthew has a game today, and as h

s on my lips as I ran downstairs, I nearly tripped

, have b

Mom! I'm i

out the new semester. I didn't fall asleep until late last night, and my alarm had to go off f

hes are delicious. Don't worry, I've already asked my driver to wait outside. He'll make sure you get to sch

loose clothing, you could still see the outline of his muscles beneath the fabric. As he spoke, he set

I could never meet his gaze. Every time I did, I'd picture a younger

er to kiss Mom's cheek before heading out the d

thoughts. My stepfather was Italian. No one would gu

between the mafia families. They said he locked himself in a room for three days to grieve, holding an

tired of the violent life or decided it was time for the younger generation to take over, but he chose to marry my mom, settle in the U.S., and enjoy a peaceful retirement. Hon

marrying my mom, my stepfather had been very protective of us, li

ike this wasn't s

or one p

ace came to

es, dark eyes, and lips always set in a tight

first arrived in New York with my mom a year ago, she told me my stepfather was easy to get along

g into a new life to think much about my stepbrother. I w

my room-a luxurious princess-themed bedroom. It had a huge walk-in closet filled with

ing his nose. Like a beast hiding its claws, I felt warmth from a father figure for the first

ll young man. I froze, unsure what to do, while he squinted at me, then pu

g, with calluses-pro

few seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity. I

t isn't yours. Remember who y

derstand what he meant. I onl

me while his lips formed a tight line. I had no doubt that he could pull out a gun and shoot me

lling his voice, then

see him a

pfather had sent him to Italy. I kept my head down, pr

lowly forgot the suffocating fear of that day. I started school in New York, made new

thanking the driver, I jogged into class j

ractice right after the first. As I settled into my sea

hew beside me, takin

rning." He leaned his head against my neck lik

the eyes on us, especially those of my friend Lily. She

affection. He chuckled. "I waited a long tim

ppy act, knowing I'd cave. Looking into his big brown ey

said, holding his hand, "I think the princess

y intense, almost scorch

gym. On our way, we met the other cheerleader

rms-bright red, representing our school colors.

red. You're definitely going

sion. Honestly, Lily was the more popular one

oking that if I liked girls, he wouldn't stand

ce. We went through our routine, the familiar moves perfectly time

or the setup crew. Our seats were in the front row

was about

pounding faster and faster. My nerves were hal

g to win. Matthew's probably in the locker room now, an

ouragement, but my raci

t, Lily. We'

moothly, but Matthew and his teammates won the game at the last secon

ed through

ooked, but I was beyond happ

ith sweat as he and his teammates were awarded their championsh

s had nowhere to go as he approached.

and my cheer squad-they all began cheering and wh

was my first kiss. Even though I seemed ca

his lips on min

fetti, the boy I loved, my first

he best days

I will always be grateful for ev