Mafia's Princess: Beneath His Protection

There was a threatening calm in the courtroom, Luciana Fester adjusted her blazer as her gaze settled on that of her greatest rival.

Alexander Romano, he sat there in his dark suit with a smirk that was even darker and a confidence that dripped arrogance. Tailored navy suit, an open collar with just a glimpse of gold chain beneath, and the kind of aura only a man born into power could possess. His dark hair was slicked back, his jaw dusted with just enough stubble to look deliberate, not lazy.

His gaze and posture spoke volumes of how he would rather be elsewhere. He probably felt this was a massive waste of time Luciana tightened her grip on the pen in her hand when he caught her staring and winked at her.

"Your Honor," she said, standing, her voice sharp and unwavering, "this motion is a blatant delay tactic. Mr. Romano's legal team has already been granted two extensions-"

Alexander raised a hand and stood casually, not bothering to button his jacket. "With all due respect, Counselor Fester's eagerness to rush this case might have something to do with how flimsy her evidence is."

Lots of murmuring was hear through out the courtroom. Luciana shot a glare at him though she couldn't say she was surprised by his rudeness.

Judge Berryman raised an eyebrow, sighing. "Save the theatrics. This isn't a debate club."

Luciana's gaze flicked to Alexander's lead attorney, Miles Davenport, who sat beside him pretending to be interested in the floor tiles. She'd known Miles for years-slimy, spineless fellow. He could represent the devil himself for the right price. He was probably overjoyed beneath that clueless look he had. Alexander was handling everything himself and he still got paid. As if he needed another reason to get under her skin.

"Motion denied," the judge said firmly. "We move to evidentiary review next week." Luciana sat down, jaw tight, pulse hammering.

Alexander glanced her way, catching her eye. His smile deepened. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his gaze. It took a lot of will power for Luciana not to curse him out straight.

**

"Counselor Fester" a voice called as she walked through the marble-floored courthouse lobby. She turned sharply, ready to shut down whoever it was, but slowed when she saw it was Assistant DA Tina Ijeoma -her friend and occasional drinking buddy. Tina was wearing her usual sharp bob and bold lipstick, holding a coffee in one hand and a folder tucked under her arm.

"You looked like you wanted to throw something at Romano's head back there," Tina said, amused. "I did." Luciana exhaled and accepted the extra coffee. "That man thinks he's untouchable. He's smug, manipulative, and probably guilty as hell." "Probably?"

"I just need more proof. Everything so far is circumstantial, or just... vanishes before I get it. Someone's covering his tracks."

"Maybe because someone upstairs doesn't want you digging too deep?" Tina's tone was light, but Luciana heard the warning beneath it.

It wouldn't be a surprise though she knew he's family had crazy connections all over. "I don't care," Luciana muttered. "My father cared about justice that's the entire reasonhe went missing. I'm not stopping because the accused has a last name that makes people nervous."

Ijeoma nodded. " I mean if that's the reason he went missing wouldn't he want you to avoid Alexander at all cost... Just know if you ever need backup..."

"I know. Thanks." They exchanged a look. Luciana didn't like dragging others into the mess she was determined to clean up. Especially not Ijeoma, who still believed in the system and had a life outside work unlike her.

**

Meanwhile, across the city, in the backroom of a luxurious downtown restaurant that doubled as a meeting hub for the Romano empire, Alexander sat at a long finely carved wooden table flanked by his closest confidants.

Marco Romano his older cousin and unofficial muscle poured a drink while asking about the court case. It was a huge worry among the family.

Alexander was meant to have a good public image as a reputable buisness man if he was going to take over the buisness.

"You keep playing footsie with that lawyer and before you know it she's gonna bite your head off," Marco said, sliding Alexander a glass of wine.

Alexander grinned, swirling the glass. "She's more interesting than most people in that courtroom. At least she's not afraid of me."

"Not afraid doesn't mean not dangerous," said Sofia Moretti, the family's in-house accountant and Alexander's childhood friend. She wore a pencil skirt with a glare, and had a deep suspicion of any woman near Alexander who wasn't her. "Women like her are sharp. You let them get too close, they'll cut you."

"I'm not letting her do anything. I just like watching her work."

Marco raised an eyebrow. "You're enjoying this." It came as a surprise to him that Alexander would in anyway be enjoying this court case that could cost him his future as the heir.

"Maybe."

The door opened and Riccardo Romano entered, the current head of the family. Silver hair, sharp suit and a gaze that would intimidate almost anyone.

The room went quiet immediately. "Is she a threat?" he asked Alexander directly not wasting time on small talk. "She's a lawyer, not a gunman," Alexander replied.

Riccardo narrowed his gaze. "Some lawyers can do more damage than a bullet. Keep her occupied-but not too close. We don't need a repeat of the Fester's case. She is his daughter after all." Alexander smile faded. He knew the name. Everyone did. Luciana's father, Alessandro Fester, had once posed a threat the Romano family after Riccardo was publicly announced as a person of interest to his missing following investigations initiated by his wife.

He disappeared fifteen years ago.

**

That night, Luciana sat in her messy apartment, flipping through her father's old notes. She shouldn't have them half of it was probably classified but after his disappearance, she'd pulled every string, every favor, every threat she could.

And still, no answers. One note stuck out though it was a name Riccardo Romano circled and dated three weeks before Alessandro had vanished.

This case was just the first step. She didn't just want a conviction, she wanted answers to the mystery of her Father's disapperance.

Her mother had spent all her time trying to solve it and now she did the same. She leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Her phone buzzed. Unknown number. Be careful where you dig, counselor. She stared at the message amused and disgusted. Then, without hesitating, she scoffed as she typed a reply. Tell Alexander Romano I don't get scared this easily.

Luciana Fester hated late-night phone calls.

They were never good news. There always was a fire to put out, a deal to negotiate, or some last-minute revelation that meant s

more hours spent going through case files instead of sleeping. This one came from her boss's burner line that was a sign in itself that it wasn't just another request for an update on one of her cases

"This is a high-profile case" Paulson had said, his voice sharp with something close to panic. "The Romano case is more complicated than we thought. Play it smart, keep it clean, and whatever you do don't let this blow out of proportion."

She'd almost laughed, if only he knew how much more of a scene she planned on making.

As if keeping things quiet was still an option.

Luciana hung up without promising anything. She never promised what she couldn't guarantee. If danger was what it took to find her father then the Romano family could do their worst.

....

Outside the courthouse, the sun was setting and people filled the most heading back home after a long day of work. Luciana clutched her purse tighter as she crossed the street, ignoring the itch crawling down her spine-the one that said someone was watching.

She didn't hear the footsteps behind her until she was halfway to the bus stop.

"Careful, Fester. Someone might think you've got enemies."

She jolted, startled by the sudden presence just behind her and without hesitation she swung her purse.

Alexander Romano stepped out of the way smoothly avoiding the purse meant for his face. He wore a casual fit with rolled-up sleeves and a familiar arrogance. No jacket, no tie but he still maintained his smirk.

"What do you want?" she asked, not slowing her pace.

He matched her stride easily.

"Can't I just enjoy a nice walk with my favorite prosecutor?"

"You're not charming."

"Maybe not. But I'm persistent."

"Persistent is a polite word for annoying," she said coolly. "Except you are here to tell me of your plans to admit to the charges against you I'd rather you not be around me"

Alexander chuckled. "You wound me."

"I hope so."

They walked in silence for a few minutes, the city was buzzing around them. Soon the nightlife would take over and it would become even more busy. .

Luciana wasn't a big fan of crowds, she wasn't good with people they were too complicated and twisted for her especially people like Alexander Romano.

"I liked the way you handled yourself today," he said eventually. "You've got teeth. The courtroom could use more sharks."

She didn't take the bait. "Did you attend my trial just so you could brag and fish for compliments. That's sad."

"Not a compliment," Alexander replied easily his smirk never fading "An observation. Most people flinch around my name. You don't."

"Should I?"

He stopped walking. She noticed it a second too late and had to turn back to face him.

"No," he said. "You shouldn't. But most do."

Luciana studied him for a moment. Whenever she saw him in the courtroom, he was all show smooth lines and smug smiles. Out here, he was quieter, sharper more like someone who'd learned a long time ago that power wasn't about volume rather it was about silence. About knowing exactly when to speak, and when to let other people sweat.

She didn't like that he intrigued her.

"You think being underestimated is a strength," she said.

"I know it is."

"That's dangerous."

"I'm not the dangerous one not to you" Alexander said. "Not yet."

"And that's supposed to reassure me?"

He shrugged. "Depends. Are you afraid of what I might become?"

She took a step closer, chin tilted up. "No. Is there any reason i should be worried about an honest transparent buisness man." Sarcasm dripped off every word she spoke.

For a second, something shifted in his expression. A flicker of real interest-or maybe real offense.

"You don't know me, Fester."

"I know more than you think" she said. "I know your family and what it does. That's enough."

"Maybe," he said softly. "But files lie. People lie. Sometimes, even blood lies."

She didn't respond to that. He didn't expect her to.

They reached the bus stop a few minutes later.

Alexander stopped beside her

"I didn't take you for the public transport type" she said a cue for him to get lost.

"I could say the same about you. Why don't i give you a ride back home we can catch up on my case. Who knows having me around might help a lot."

She gave him a long, unimpressed look. "Why so you can get my address or maybe kill me and make it look like an accident"

She was at this point thinking to get a taxi, but his voice stopped her halfway.

"You made a mistake today."

She glanced back at him. "Did I?"

"You assumed I care about winning."

"And you don't?"

"I care about control," he said. "Winning's just a means to that end."

"And yet you lost."

He smiled again a slow, amused, infuriating smile. "Did I?"

She watched him walk away, his figure disappearing as he moved farther.

**

Luciana unlocked her door, stepped inside, and bolted it behind her. All four locks. Then she stood there, hand on the knob, heart steady but mind racing.

Alexander Romano wasn't just dangerous.

He was complicated she still couldn't figure his role asides being the heir of the Romano family nothing she dug into enlightened her on who he was.

...

The next morning, Luciana sat at her desk, nursing a black coffee and trying to ignore the fact that she'd only gotten four hours of sleep.

Her inbox was a mess. Her phone kept buzzing. Paulson had already sent three texts reminding her that "The Romano family is a political landmine watch your step." As if she needed the warning.

Her phone buzzed again.

Unknown Number: Your cross-exam was impressive yesterday. Still thinking about it.

She stared at the screen, jaw tightening. He did not just text her. Was this his way of getting into her head.

Luciana tossed her phone on the desk and opened the Romano case file again. She wasn't going to play his game. She had to find her dad there was no time to exchange words.

Her phone buzzed for the third time and she was just about to call the number and curse Alexander till he dropped dead on the other end when she saw it was from a different person.

Keep digging and soon it will be others digging your grave.

Luciana's office was dark except for the pale blue light from her laptop. It was late too late for anyone to be working unless they were on a warpath.

Which, of course, she was.

Her fingers flew over the keyboard, pulling up the most recent public records on Casella Logistics. On the surface, it looked clean-just another import/export company based out of Naples with a neat little office suite in downtown Rome.

But Luciana knew how to read between the lines.

Three shell companies. All dissolved within weeks of being served a subpoena. One of them had changed hands three days before her request even left her desk.

It wasn't luck she certainly didn't believe in this type of coincidences. It was a warning.

Someone was watching her moves. Someone close. They weren't just watching they were leaking her information to the Romano family.

Her jaw clenched as she leaned back in her chair and stared at the spreadsheet she'd built. Names, dayes, transactions, offshore accounts. Several trails leading right back to the Romano building, suite 405-an address she now saw in her sleep.

She crossed her arms and studied the board behind her, where sticky notes were scattered like landmines.

Bellavita Imports. Casella Logistics. Romano Holdings.

These names sounded too familiar only that she couldn't really tell where she had seen them.

They weren't just business fronts. They were barriers. Each one designed to keep her from seeing what really mattered.

The truth about her father.

She remembered the way Alexander had looked at her in court-like he knew exactly what she was trying to find. Like he was daring her to keep going.

She would.

Her phone buzzed suddenly, breaking the silence. She grabbed it. Blocked number. Again.

Luciana answered sharply. "Who is this?"

Silence.

She heard faint breathing... then a click.

She lowered the phone, her stomach tightening in both anger and fear.

The calls had started two weeks ago. No voice. No threats just silence that pissed her off. But the message was clear someone wanted her to back off.

She glanced out the window. Across the street, a dark SUV idled for the second night in a row.

She narrowed her eyes.

Coincidence? Again she didn't believe in those.

Alexander sat in the back of his car, watching the live feed from the camera across Luciana's street. The black SUV parked at a distance looked like any other government vehicle. Plain and unremarkable. Exactly how he'd ordered it.

"She's getting close," his cousin Marco said quietly, eyeing the screen. "You really want to let her dig?"

Alexander didn't answer at first. He watched Luciana lean against her window, unaware she was being watched. He wasn't just watching her for pleasure though, it was to protect her.

"Someone's been sniffing around her car," Alexander said. "A message was left last night. No name but subtle enough to mean business."

"She's a lawyer, isn't it better if someone else takes care of her." Marco said unimpressed. "In her line of work and from her attitude its no surprise if she has multiple enemies. She knew what she signed up for."

"She didn't sign up for this." His tone dropped, cold and final and Marco didn't reply again.

Alexander rubbed his thumb over his ring and sighed. He should've walked away after that first courtroom clash. Should've let her chase ghosts and trip over her own feet.

But every time she opened her mouth in court she was sharp, relentless, unyielding and he felt something stir.

Not admiration.

Not attraction.

Not yet.

But... curiosity.

She was a problem. And he'd never been good at leaving problems unsolved.

One thing he was sure of though was if she kept pulling threads, the whole thing would unravel-and get her killed in the process.

That, he couldn't allow.

---

By morning, Luciana's whiteboard was covered in red string and scribbled notes, her caffeine count was crazy high.

Carla her clerk walked in and nearly dropped her coffee. "Holy crime scene, Batman."

Luciana didn't look up. "Pull every property Casella has touched in the last six months. I want building permits, invoices, shipment manifests, everything."

Sarah set her coffee down warily. "You're gonna give yourself a stroke when was the last time you had a proper meal."

"I'm close," Luciana muttered. "I can feel it."

"To what? Burning out? Or getting sued?"

Luciana finally turned to her clerk. "He knows when I'm coming. Every time I move, he ducks a second before I land the punch."

Carla blinked. "You think Romano has a mole?"

"I think he is the mole," Luciana said, lowering her voice . "Or someone in this office is feeding him intel."

Carla shifted uncomfortably.

"Don't worry," Luciana said. "I don't think it's you."

"Thanks. I think."

Luciana turned back to her board. "Romano's always two steps ahead. And now-"

She stopped midway her eyes widening.

"What?" Carla asked.

Luciana walked to her desk and opened her father's old investigation journal. Tucked in the middle was a fading memo

Bellavita Imports. Romano Holdings.

That's why they sounded so familiar she had seen them before

"Dad was looking into them before he disappeared," she whispered. "It wasn't just business. He was following the money."

Sarah peered over her shoulder. "You think Alexander had something to do with it?"

"No. But i think he knows who did it"

And that was enough to make her want to bury him in court.

**

Later that day, Alexander stepped into his father's office. The place smelled like cigars and oakwood. The interior looked like any other executive office something he would change when it finally became his.

Riccardo sat at his desk glasses on. He was going through something on a tab.

"You are here. The laundering case has been dragged on for too long I'm assigning Marco to wrap it up cleanly."

Alexander eyes narrowed and he felt a little tightening in his chest. He had a vague idea what it meant for Luciana.

Riccardo handed his son a surveillance photos of Luciana driving past different outlet of theirs.

"She is getting too close. Too tenacious. I have no idea why you feel the need to drag it out but it ends now before she knows too much. The more she knows the harder it is for her to remain alive."

"I will handle everything about the case and Fester by myself. I have never let you down so let me clean this up alone."

***

Luciana made her wsy to the Romano building just after dark.

She wore jeans and a hoodie all black. She was there fully aware she could be arrested and sued for trespassing.

No cameras were in the building according to her research. Inside, the lobby was quiet. She held her taser in her pocket tighter and climbed to the fourth floor.

Suite 405. Romano Holdings. This was her target she was here to find its secrets by herself

She pressed her ear to the door. There was no sounds of movement it was quiet like she expected.

With shaking hands, she picked the lock thinking of how many charges she was acquiring and her sentence if she happened to be caught.

The door clicked open.

She stepped into a clean, sleek office. Marble floors. Glass walls. Corporate art. But it was empty asides that signs that it was never used.

She moved toward the desk and started snapping pictures of every and anything left behind. A sound from behind her had her stopping

Footsteps.

She instantly turned around her heart racing seeing as there was nowhere to hide.

Alexander stood in the doorway, his arms crossed.

"Breaking and entering, counselor?" he said coolly. "Now that's not very legal of you."

Luciana's breath caught, but she didn't back down. "I should've known you'd be here."

"I could say the same." He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. "Care to tell me why you're photographing my accountant's desk?"

"You mean your laundromat?" she snapped for some reason she didn't feel as scared as she ought to. "Casella Logistics. Bellavita. They are all a front right."

He tilted his head looking somewhat amused. "Is that what you think?"

"I know it." She said putting her phone in her pocket heading for the door. She was done here.

"i doubt you can prove it though."

"I will."

They stood inches apart.

"You always this stubborn?" he asked softly.

"You always this annoying?"

"Only around people who break into my office."

"Your family has blood on its hands," she said. "You know what happened to my father."

His expression flickered he had suspected she was doing this for her father and this confirmed it also making complications.

"Luciana-"

"Don't say my name like you know me."

"I'm trying to keep you alive. You should end this case easily. Just forget doing anything leave it for me to handle"

That made her laugh not necessarily because she was amused. "So this is your tactics, disguising as my saviour. I'd very much prefer if you straight up threatened me... You have people following me don't you"

"They're not thugs. They're for your protection."

Her eyes narrowed she had just said that without proof. She didn't actually believe it was him. "Why would you want to protect me?"

He didn't answer right away.

"I'm not the one who made your father disappear. I was only a teenager when he disappeared 15 years ago" he said

"But you have an idea who did."

He didn't deny it.

And that was all she needed.

She shoved past him, her voice cold. "You're not a mystery, Alexander. When I'm done you'll be begging to tell me all I need to know"

He caught her arm and held on firmly. "Why won't you listen and see I'm trying to help you. I could arrest you for trespassing this instant or-"

"Or what make me disappear like my father. Let me go."

He did.

She walked out without looking back. But his hand still burned where it had touched her.