THE DON’S BRAND

Mia preda…

Selena didn’t say anything about the gala. She just kept adding to Emilia’s plate.

“ more, Mija. You’re getting thin.” Her hand brushed Emilia’s hair back. It wasn’t about the food. It was I’m sorry. I’m scared. Please let me take care of you.

The rest of the breakfast passed in noise that wasn’t really noise. Clicking plates. Marco on a call. Selena humming softly.

Upstairs, Emilia stood in front of her closet for 20 minutes.

Too flashy. Too plain. Too much like the girl who got in trouble. Not enough like the girl her parents wanted to bring out.

A Soft Knock. Selena.

She didn’t come in right away. Just leaned on the doorframe. “ You don’t have to be perfect today.” She said. “ you just have to be with us.”

Emilia finally chose a dress. Soft blue. Long sleeves. Safe.

Selena sat behind her and brushed her hair out, slow and careful, like she used to when Emilia was little. No talking. Just the brush, and the quiet.

When they were done, Marco was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He looked at Emilia, really looked, and nodded once. “ you look beautiful, mija.”

The car ride was silent. Selena on one side, Marco on the other. Emilia in the middle, hands folded.

Every few minutes Selena’s pinky eyes would hook around Emilia’s. A reminder. We’re here.

As they pulled up to the venue__ lights, cameras, Leonardo’s name on a big banner and there was a writing beneath that if you didn’t look closer you won’t get to catch the word. “ mia preda…”__ Emilia’s heart was hammering.

Marco opened the door. “ stay close, okay?”

Emilia stepped out. The noise hit her all at once.

Suddenly there was on out road as a second car drove in, the entire energy outside the venue changed.

Shutters clicked like gunfire.

“ LEONARDO!”

“ MORETTI! OVER HERE!”

Emilia barely had time to register the noise before he stepped out.

Leonardo Moretti.

Black suit. No tie. The top button undone like he owned the rule book and tore out the page. He didn’t rush. He didn’t wave. He just… arrived. Like the ground was supposed to adjust to him.

Beside him, Xander and Draco— Tall, dark coats, eyes scanning everything and nothing at the same time. They moved like shadows that had decided to wear Prada. That aura__ only Leonardo’s men wear that. Controlled. Dangerous. Calm.

The paparazzi surged forward, cameras flashing so bright Emilia had to blink. But Leonardo didn’t even glance at them. His jaw was set, eyes cold, scanning the crowd like he was counting exits.

And then__

His gaze cut across the red carpet.

Straight to her.

For half a second,the stern mask cracked.

The corner of his mouth lifted. A quick real grin. Just for her.

Like hey. Like i see you.

Then it was gone. Face blank again. Business.

Emilia’s breath caught. She could’ve sworn she was the only one who saw it.

Before she could process it, Marco was already moving.

Her dad walked toward Leonardo with that same measured, deliberate strides. No smile. Just a nod.

“ Moretti.”

“ Marco.”

They shock hands. Firm. Long. The kind of greeting she’d only seen in movies— two men who didn’t need to say, know who you are out loud. Something about the way their shoulders squared, the way the space around them went quiet even with all the cameras. Mafia greeting. That was it.

Leonardo’s eyes were still sharp, assessing. When they flicked back to Emilia, it was quick. Assessing her too.

Her heart was pounding so loud she was sure they could hear it.

A soft tap on her arm.

Selena.

“ Baby,” her mom whispered, voice low but steady. “ Let go. Your dad won’t be joining us anytime soon.”

Emilia realized her hand drifted to her own chest, like she was trying to hold that I__ second grin in place.

Selena slipped her fingers through Emilia’s and squeezed. “ come on, mija.”

And just like that, they turned away_ Selena guiding her toward the entrance, away from the flashing lights and away from Leonardo.

But Emilia could still feel it.

That look.

That grin that wasn’t meant for the cameras.

As they walked in, she rushed one last glance back.

Leonardo was already talking to someone, face stern again. But Xander? He glanced over his shoulder, right at her, and gave the faintest smirk before disappearing inside with Draco.

The doors closed behind them.

Selena leaned down. “ Breathe, baby.”

“ I am,” Emilia lied.

Inside, the gala was loud and bright and full of people she knew.

But all she could think about was that one second.

That grin.

The party was buzzing.

Why wouldn’t it be?

When the mastermind behind it all is Leonardo fuckin Moretti, every chandelier shine brighter, every glass clinks louder, and every person in the room pretends they’re not terrified.

Emilia felt it the second she stepped in.

That wasn’t any ordinary gala. The air was too heavy. The music too smooth.

Everyone was wearing a hard gaze. Staring. Assessing. Like predators at a dinner table.

She needed air. Needed normal.

She spotted it— a small, rounded table near the terrace door. With her father’s name written on a palate. Half-hidden by flowers.

“ over there, mom,” she whispered tugging Selena’s hand.

They settled in. Two chairs saved for Marco. Who was still somewhere across the room dealing with Marci,

Emilia was trying to breathe when__

“ OMG. EMILIA!”

A familiar voice. Loud. Bright.

Victoria.

She crashed into Emilia so hard they both nearly toppled out of the chair. Arms around her tight.

“ I thought Dad said you were grounded till 2027,” Victoria laughed into her hair, then pulled back “ you look amazing. You’re shaking. Are you okay?”

nodded, eyes stinging. “ I’m okay. I think.”

Emilia nodded, eyes stinging. “ I’m okay. I think.”

Victoria immediately straightened and turned to Selena with a perfect manners

“ Mrs. Hart, it’s good to see you.” She hugged her too.

Selena’s face broke into a wide, real smile. This. This was what she loved. The way Emilia’s friends cared. The was they didn’t look at her daughter like she was broken.

“ Victoria, baby. You’ve gotten taller,” Selena said, squeezing her hands.

For 10 seconds. It felt Normal.

MUSIC. Friends. Mom smiling. Even Nora joined in later.

Then the temperature dropped.

Heads turned towards the entrance.

Whispers.

Emily.

Walking in on the arm of underboss Marci Hart. Marco’s twin.

Marci In a dark suit, silver watch, that wide, cruel smirk he always wore like a weapon. His eyes out straight across the room.

Straight to Selena.

Straight to Emilia.