The Mafia Boss' Defiant Daughter

Rules

Sophia POV

“This is the last of it.” Her father said, handing one of the movers the last box with Sophia’s stuff from the manor she shared with her parents. His voice was steady, but his eyes told a whole different story.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay? We can—” Elizabeth began. Her stepmother was a beautiful blonde, just like her. She wasn’t surprised that a lot of people thought Elizabeth was her biological mother.

“It’s fine.” Sophia cut her off before she could finish. The words were clipped, forced. Not because she was mad at Elizabeth, but because if she let her stepmother comfort her, she might break. And she couldn’t afford to break. Not yet.

She squared her shoulders. Nineteen years old, and she was being traded like a chess piece. While her friends were partying in dorm rooms, she was being fitted for a wedding dress. While they flirted with boys, she was signing a contract.

If her husband expected a docile, obedient wife, he was in for a rude awakening. She was the daughter of Matteo De Luca, and she bowed to no one.

“I’m coming with you to the meeting,” her father grumbled. Domenico Ricci had set up a meeting to establish some rules.

Sophia’s hands curled into fists at her sides. She knew this wasn’t easy for him, but she didn’t need his protection anymore. The damage was done. Now, she had to protect herself.

“I can handle it,” she snapped, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Besides, you already signed me away. No point in escorting me to my prison.”

Her father flinched, but she didn’t stay long enough to regret the words. She turned on her heel, her heels clacking sharply against the pavement, each step feeling like another nail in the coffin of her old life.

With a roar of the engine—her wheels digging into the gravel—she took off. God, she loved this car.

She turned up the radio, blaring along to too sweet, as the wind blew through her hair. She’d taken the top down since it was a beautiful summer day.

Sophia slowed down as she reached the gates of her new residence. The guard gave her a once over, talking into his walkie-talkie before opening the gate for her. Sophia rolled up to the manor. It was so different from the one she’d grown up in.

It’s white walls towered over her. It was beautiful, with its tall windows, reminding her of one of those Spanish style villas you usually only saw in Spain or Portugal, but to her, it resembled a prison. And today was the start of her sentence.

She looked down at her empty ring finger. It was the first thing she’d done after the wedding. Taken off her ring and thrown it into her handbag. She was very much aware that the ring had cost more than her car, but she didn’t care. It only reminded her of her contract marriage.

A car rolled up beside her and she didn’t have to guess who it was. Sophia inhaled deeply, pulling herself together. She wouldn’t let him see how much this hurt.

Her father stepped out, calling her name softly.

Don’t do this. Don’t give in.

She turned, meeting his eyes. For just a moment, she thought about throwing herself into his arms like she did when she was a child. But she wasn’t a child anymore.

The betrayal was still fresh. No matter how much she loved him, it still burned.

Sophia forced a breath. “Let’s go inside.”

She glanced around as she and her father followed behind the servant that had opened the door. It was a nice home, but it was clear that a bachelor lived here. Everything was cold—lacking the warmth of a woman.

“The Boss is waiting for you inside the office,” The servant said, gesturing for them to enter. Sophia’s husband—God, she would never get used to that word—was seated behind the desk, next to his father. He barely glanced at her as she approached. It seemed that he too didn’t agree with this arrangement. That could work in her favor.

“Matteo, how nice of you to join us,” Domenico smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“I will always be here for my daughter, Domenico. Always,” Matteo grated out.

“Careful, old friend, or I might think that you don’t agree with this alliance.” The man chuckled, his dark eyes crinkling at the edges, as if he’d said the most funny thing in the world. Her father clenched his jaw.

“Sophia, my lovely daughter-in-law. Take a seat. We need to discuss some rules.” He stated. Though they’d already married, they hadn’t quite discussed what was expected of the arrangement.

“Let’s go over the contract to make sure everyone is on the same page.” Sophia had to keep herself from rolling her eyes. As if anything anyone said mattered. Domenico held all of the cards, and he knew it.

“Rule number one. We will of course be taking care of you, Sophia.” Her father in law began, sliding a black card over the table. Sophia gave him a blank stare. She wasn’t a fool, she knew exactly what this meant. Control. They would be able to monitor her finances, track what she did and where she went.

“Does it have a limit?” She asked. She wasn’t a spoiled brat, even though her father was filthy rich, other than her car, Sohpia didn’t have much expensive things. But this was her own little test.

“It does, but It’s more than a fair amount. But….large amounts need approval,” Her father in law finally spoke up. Bingo. There it was. Her eyes darted to Alessandro, who barely spared her a glance. And this was supposed to be her husband, a twenty-five year old man? He seemed to be as much under his father’s control as she was going to be.

Suddenly, Domenico held out his hand. Sophia stared at it blankly for a moment—before she understood what was expected. She grabbed her purse and pulled out her wallet. With a huff, she threw her father’s black card on the table. Domenico cut it in half with a pair of scissors.

“Good girl,” he smiled, making a chill crawl down her spine.

“Rule number two,” Domenico began, his tone hardening, “You will accompany Alessandro to all official functions, meetings, and family events. You will support your husband in all public matters. This marriage isn’t just personal; it’s about the family’s future. Your presence will be expected.”

Sophia nodded stiffly, her hands clenched in her lap. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her unravel. Not yet.

“Rule number three,” he continued, “You may not leave the estate without Alessandro’s permission. You’ll find the estate has everything you need, but any travel, any outings—must be approved by him.”

Sophia’s lips pressed together tightly and her nostrils. A prisoner in her own home. We would see about that. Sophia sat still, staring ahead as he spoke, trying not to let the frustration and rage show. They were all trying to control her.

“Rule number four,” he began, his voice thick with authority, “An heir must be conceived within the year. It’s the first priority of your marriage. Your duty, as Alessandro’s wife.”

Sophia’s stomach twisted as Domenico’s cold eyes met hers. An heir. The weight of his words pressed on her chest like a stone, but she fought to keep her face neutral. An heir. How could they expect this of her? She was barely nineteen. She wasn’t ready to be anyone’s mother.

Matteo finally spoke up, his voice tight with barely contained anger. “She’s only 19!”

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected him to protest, but hearing him speak out, as if he too couldn’t believe what was happening, did nothing to ease the growing sense of dread in her chest.

Domenico’s smile was cold. “Do not make this harder than it already is, Matteo. You know what this marriage is about. She will provide the heir, and she will do so in the time frame we’ve set.”

Sophia glanced up at Alessandro then, desperate for some sign that he was as unwilling as she was. He looked up briefly, his blue eyes meeting hers for just a second before he looked away, his jaw tight. No words passed between them, but she could see the silent tension in his posture.

She wanted to scream. This wasn’t her life. This wasn’t what she had planned for herself.

“Don’t worry, my dear,” Domenico continued, oblivious to her shock. “Alessandro will see to it that you fulfill your part of the bargain. And when the time comes, you’ll be a mother. A proper wife.” He leaned back, satisfied with the rules that had been set in place.

Sophia’s eyes darted to Alessandro, who stared ahead, his jaw clenched. She could barely contain the wave of nausea threatening to rise in her throat.

“Is that all?” Sophia asked in a sickly sweet voice, despite the rage simmering inside her.

Domenico smiled that cold, calculating smile. “For now, yes.”

With a nod, Sophia stood up. If they thought they could break her, they had another thing coming.

But for now, she kept her mouth shut. She was still playing the game. And she would find a way to win.