Tiana's pov

I took a deep breath as I stepped through the engraved wooden doors of the Stathoulis mansion, I could feel my nerves tighten like coiled springs. The guard at the entrance, dressed in a sharp black suit with an intimidating air, nodded curtly, permitting me to proceed. This was only my second visit here, and everything about this place—guards stationed at nearly every turn—made me feel like an uninvited guest in a scary fortress.

My mother's recent engagement to Peter Stathoulis—the retired Godfather of the Greek mafia—was still something i hadn't fully come to terms with. Tonight was supposed to be our first family dinner since the engagement ceremony, and the thought of meeting Peter's children, Andrea and Athina, made my stomach twist from anxiety. I'd heard enough about Andrea to feel very uneasy around him; he had a reputation for ruthlessness. I've heard the kind of whispers that'll make you question why you're even here.

I took another shaky breath, letting my gaze travel around the grand entrance hall of the mansion. The chandelier above cast a warm glow, but it didn't soften the intimidating and suffocating atmosphere of the place. Dark wood and cold marble seemed to stretch endlessly, making me feel like a mouse caught in a luxurious trap.

"Tatiana, agápi mou." My mother's warm, affectionate voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned and saw her approaching me from across the room in a stunning gold dress that hugged her figure beautifully, highlighting every inch of her body. 

"Mamá." I couldn't help but smile as I walked over to her, hugging her and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. "Wow, you look gorgeous."

She looked me over, her eyes lingering on my off-shoulder, cream satin dress. "We match. Good." She brushed a strand of my styled hair off my shoulder, her gaze hesitating at the thigh-high slit. I felt my stomach tighten under her scrutiny, but before she could say anything, Peter descended the grand staircase, his piercing gaze catching mine as he greeted me.

"Tatiana," he said with a small smile. "Welcome."

I forced a polite smile. "Thank you, Mr. Stathoulis."

"Soon, we'll be family. Call me Peter." His tone was smooth, almost warm, but his eyes held that same steely edge I'd come to associate with him.

Just then, the front door opened with a loud thud, pulling my attention. A striking woman in her early thirties strode in, looking like royalty. She had to be Athina, Peter's daughter. Her husband, Basil, followed close behind with an easygoing composure.

"Really, Andrea ? Look at the mess," Athina scolded, breezing over to Peter and planting a light kiss on his cheek. "Mpampà mou, sorry we're late."

Basil chuckled, adding, "Glad I'm not the one in the hot seat tonight."

But my attention drifted to the figure looming behind them—Andrea . My blood ran cold. He was taller than everyone in the room, his presence as commanding as a dark shadow casted over the entire space. His white shirt was splattered with blood, and as he unbuttoned it, I glimpsed sculpted muscles and bronzed skin beneath. A grim expression hardened his features, and his dark eyes locked onto mine, sending a shiver through me.

I edged closer to my mother, instinctively trying to escape the overwhelming intensity that radiated off Andrea. He was magnetic, terrifying, and undeniably the most attractive man I'd ever seen. But beneath his chiseled exterior, I sensed a danger that set every nerve in me, high on edge.

Peter's eyes narrowed at his son with a look of disapproval. "Andrea ?"

Andrea shot him a dark, irritated look and headed upstairs, his blood-stained shirt trailing the scent of danger. Silence fell over the room, and I could feel my heart pounding loudly in my chest. The whispers I'd heard about Andrea —about his cold-hearted brutality—made me question what kind of family my mother was marrying into and what exactly I was being plunged into.

Athina broke the silence with a pitiful smile, turning to my mother. "I'm sorry, Theía Helena. My brother is… well, you'll get used to him."

My mother just laughed lightly, brushing it off. But my pulse was still racing. How could she just ignore this? How could she see her fiancé's son, covered in blood, and act like it was nothing?

"This is my Tatiana," my mother introduced, nudging me forward.

I tried to force a polite smile as Athina extended her hand. "I'm Athina. Sorry for my brother. It's not always this… dramatic during family dinners."

"Nice to meet you," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, though my tension was obvious.

Athina's husband, Basil, looked up from his phone and grinned at me. "I hear you're studying film production?"

"Uh, yes," I said, clearing my throat as I struggled to compose myself.

"I think it's fascinating," Athina said warmly, her eyes sparkling with interest. "I've never met anyone studying that."

I took a steadying breath, grateful for her air of friendliness. Athina was beautiful, with the same high cheekbones and attractive features as her brother, but her openness was the complete opposite of Andrea 's dark energy.

But just as I started to relax, Andrea 's voice cut through the room like a blade. "Unless you want more bodies delivered to your doorstep, you'll get out of my fucking city." His tone was low, filled with a menace that chilled me. My gaze snapped to the doorway as he reentered, his face set in a deadly calm as he hung up his phone.

My heart skipped a beat, dread prickling my skin. This wasn't just an empty threat. He was the kind of man who would follow through every word he says. The kind who wielded power with terrifying ease.

Andrea pressed a kiss to Athina's head as he passed, murmuring, "It won't happen again."

"Better not," Athina replied, though her tone was light, without reproach.

As he moved to my mother, he offered an air kiss to her cheek. "Sorry about the blood, Helena."

She patted his arm, smiling, as if this scene were entirely normal. I felt my mouth go dry. How could she just…overlook this?

Peter led us to the dining table, but I couldn't take my eyes off Andrea . He stopped beside me, and my heart thundered louder. I forced myself to keep standing, feeling as if my legs might buckle.

His gaze traveled over me, assessing every inch of my body, until his dark eyes met mine. "I apologize for the first impression I made," he said, though there was little sincerity in his voice.

I swallowed hard, my voice barely audible. "Tatiana Drakatos. I… I prefer to be called Tiana."

Andrea extended his hand, his bloody knuckles grazing my skin as I instinctively stepped back. His mouth twisted into a half-smirk, his eyes glinting with predatory amusement. Making me wonder what exactly was so funny ?.

"Since we'll be family soon, let's forgo the formalities," he murmured. Before I could react, he gripped my bare shoulders, pulling me close. Instead of a polite kiss on the cheek, his lips brushed dangerously close to my ear.

I stiffened as his scent—spice, leather, and something metallic—filled my senses. I tried to pull back, but his grip was firm, unyielding.

"Welcome to the family, Tiana," he whispered, his voice a deadly purr that sent cool chills down my spine.

When he released me, I stumbled slightly, my skin tingling where his hands had been. I managed to meet his gaze, feeling as if I'd barely escaped a storm, whispering, "Thank you... Andrea ."

His smirk deepened as he turned away from me, and my mother's hand steadied me. I was left feeling as though I'd been marked, my blood running cold with the realization that this was my new family.

The rest of the evening passed in a tense blur, each glance from Andrea a reminder of the kind of danger I'd only seen in movies. This wasn't just dinner—it was my first taste of the life I'd unknowingly walked into.

God help me.