1. Blood and Betrayal

The story opens with a traumatic memory: young Matteo Rossi, future Don of the Italian Mafia, is forced to flee his home with his little sister Sienna as gunshots ring out, killing their parents. The betrayal comes from within—his uncle orchestrates the murder to seize power. This foundational trauma shapes Matteo's life, instilling in him a relentless need for control, a deep sense of guilt, and a cold, impenetrable exterior. Thirteen years later, Matteo has reclaimed his birthright, ruling New York's Five Families with an iron fist, but the ghosts of that night haunt him, making him wary of trust and love.

2. The Alliance Bride

To secure his empire against encroaching enemies, Matteo is pressured into an alliance with the Russian Bratva. The price: marriage to Sofiya Ivanova, the sheltered, disabled daughter of the Chicago Pakhan. Sofiya, who has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, is used as a pawn by her cold, abusive father. She is beautiful, sensitive, and fiercely protective of her younger sister Mila, but has internalized years of ableism and neglect. The marriage is arranged with little input from either party, and both enter it with low expectations—Matteo for a business partnership, Sofiya for a life of quiet endurance.

3. Mafia Marriage of Convenience

The wedding is a cold, transactional affair. Sofiya, in her wheelchair, is paraded down the aisle alone, her disability hidden from Matteo until the ceremony. Matteo is taken aback but proceeds, determined to keep the marriage strictly business. Sofiya is whisked away from her family and the only warmth she's ever known—her sister Mila—into the heart of the New York Mafia. Both are isolated: Matteo by his emotional walls, Sofiya by her physical limitations and the unfamiliar, intimidating world she's entered.

4. Queen in a Wheelchair

Sofiya struggles to adapt to her new life. Matteo's penthouse is luxurious but cold, and he is distant, leaving her alone and unsure of her place. The Mafia world is steeped in ableism, and Sofiya is constantly reminded of her perceived weakness. Yet, she finds small joys—baking, befriending her bodyguard Angelo, and slowly exploring her new home. Matteo, meanwhile, is both fascinated and unsettled by his new wife's vulnerability and resilience, but refuses to let her close, fearing the vulnerability love brings.

5. Cold Hearts, Warm Kitchens

Despite Matteo's insistence on emotional distance, he finds himself drawn to Sofiya's warmth and kindness. Her baking becomes a bridge between them, and her gentle spirit begins to thaw his icy exterior. When Sofiya is left alone and hungry, Matteo's guilt prompts him to care for her, and he arranges for her to have a custom wheelchair and a service dog, Noodle. These gestures, though practical, are deeply meaningful to Sofiya, who has never been prioritized before. Their relationship shifts from cold formality to tentative friendship.

6. Learning to Survive

Sofiya's journey is one of self-advocacy and adaptation. She learns to assert her needs, navigates the complexities of her disability, and begins to carve out a space for herself in Matteo's world. She befriends Sienna, Matteo's sister, and finds allies among his men. Meanwhile, Matteo is forced to confront his own prejudices and the ways his need for control has isolated him. Their growing intimacy is tested by the ever-present threats of Mafia life—rival gangs, internal traitors, and the constant risk of violence.

7. The Don's Vulnerability

Matteo's carefully constructed walls begin to crumble as he witnesses Sofiya's courage and compassion. Her vulnerability—physical and emotional—awakens his protective instincts and, eventually, his affection. Their relationship deepens through shared moments of care: Matteo tending to Sofiya during a pain flare, Sofiya comforting Matteo through his nightmares. The Don, who has always equated love with weakness, is forced to reckon with the possibility that love might be his greatest strength.

8. Breaking Barriers

The couple's physical relationship evolves, marked by trust, communication, and mutual care. Sofiya's disability is not erased or "overcome," but integrated into their intimacy. Matteo learns to adapt, to listen, and to prioritize Sofiya's comfort and pleasure. Their emotional connection grows as they share their traumas and dreams. Sofiya's "Dream List"—a collection of experiences she wants to have—becomes a symbol of hope and agency, and Matteo commits to helping her fulfill it.

9. Secrets and Suffering

As the couple grows closer, threats mount. The Albanians, led by Arben, escalate their attacks, and Matteo's organization is plagued by leaks and betrayals. A trusted enforcer, Domenico, is revealed to be a traitor, working with the Albanians and the Bratva to undermine Matteo. Sofiya is caught in the crossfire—kidnapped, imprisoned, and subjected to psychological torment. Matteo, misled by false evidence, believes she has betrayed him, and orders her locked in a cell, compounding her trauma.

10. The Enemy Within

Sofiya's imprisonment is a crucible. She is abandoned, humiliated, and left to believe that Matteo has turned on her. Her only solace is her service dog and the knowledge that she must survive for the sake of her unborn child—a pregnancy she discovers in the midst of her ordeal. Meanwhile, Matteo is consumed by guilt and rage as the truth comes to light: Sofiya was framed, and the real traitor was within his own ranks. The realization nearly destroys him.

11. Shattered Trust

Matteo rescues Sofiya, but the damage is done. Their relationship is in ruins, trust broken on both sides. Sofiya, traumatized and pregnant, flees with the help of allies, only to be captured again—this time by her own father, who plans to use her as a pawn in a new alliance. Matteo, desperate and remorseful, wages war on all fronts to get her back, confronting his own failings and the cost of his obsession with control.

12. The Cell and the Rescue

Sofiya, drawing on reserves of strength and skill, escapes her captors, killing her would-be abusers and fighting her way to freedom. Matteo, with the help of his allies and the Irish Mob, storms the enemy stronghold. In a climactic confrontation, Sofiya kills her father to save her sister Mila, ending the cycle of abuse and reclaiming her agency. The couple is reunited, battered but alive, and the truth of their love is laid bare.

13. War on All Fronts

The aftermath is a reckoning. The Bratva is decapitated, the Albanians crushed, and Matteo's enemies destroyed. Dimitri, Sofiya's brother, ascends as the new Pakhan, forging a genuine alliance with Matteo. The Irish, once adversaries, become unexpected allies. The criminal underworld is reshaped, and a new era begins—one where old prejudices and cruelties are challenged, and new possibilities emerge.

14. The Queen's Rebellion

Sofiya, no longer a pawn, becomes a true queen. She starts a non-profit to help survivors of trafficking, mentors other women, and insists on accessibility and respect within the Mafia world. Her relationship with Matteo is rebuilt on honesty, vulnerability, and mutual support. Together, they confront their pasts, heal their wounds, and create a partnership that is both fierce and tender.

15. Family, Forgiveness, and Fire

The couple's journey is one of forgiveness—of each other and themselves. Matteo learns to let go of his guilt and accept love, while Sofiya reclaims her worth and agency. Their found family—Sienna, Mila, Angelo, and others—grows stronger, united by loyalty and love rather than blood alone. The birth of their daughter symbolizes a new beginning, a future shaped by hope rather than fear.

16. The Final Showdown

The story's climax is both violent and redemptive. Old enemies are vanquished, but the true victory is internal: Matteo and Sofiya choose each other, not out of necessity or strategy, but out of love. Their marriage, once a cage, becomes a sanctuary. The Dream List, once a fantasy, is fulfilled—one item at a time.

17. A New Empire

With the old order destroyed, Matteo and Sofiya build a new kind of empire—one that values compassion, accessibility, and justice. Their home is filled with warmth, laughter, and the chaos of chosen family. The Mafia world, still dangerous and imperfect, is changed by their example. Sofiya's non-profit flourishes, and Matteo's leadership is marked by a new openness and humanity.

18. Dream List Fulfilled

The story ends with a sense of hard-won peace. Sofiya and Matteo, surrounded by loved ones, celebrate Christmas and the impending birth of their daughter. Their journey has been one of pain and perseverance, but also of joy and transformation. The Dream List is not just a set of goals, but a testament to the power of hope, love, and the courage to claim happiness—even in a world built on violence.

Characters

Matteo Rossi

Matteo is the head of the Italian Mafia in New York, shaped by the trauma of his parents' murder and the betrayal of his uncle. He is ruthless, strategic, and emotionally closed off, believing that vulnerability is a fatal weakness. His journey is one of gradual transformation: through his relationship with Sofiya, he learns to trust, to care, and to accept love. His protectiveness is both a strength and a flaw, and his struggle to balance power with compassion is the heart of his character arc. Matteo's development is marked by his willingness to confront his own failings, seek forgiveness, and build a new kind of legacy.

Sofiya Ivanova Rossi

Sofiya is the disabled daughter of the Russian Pakhan, raised in isolation and neglect. Her hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome makes her vulnerable in a world that prizes physical power, but her true strength lies in her kindness, intelligence, and quiet determination. She is fiercely loyal to her sister Mila and gradually learns to advocate for herself. Sofiya's journey is one of self-acceptance and empowerment: she transforms from a pawn into a queen, claiming agency over her life and marriage. Her relationship with Matteo is both a source of pain and healing, and her ability to forgive and love is her greatest power.

Sienna Rossi

Sienna, Matteo's younger sister, is a survivor of the same trauma that shaped him. She is vibrant, outspoken, and determined to build a life beyond the shadows of violence. Her relationship with Matteo is fraught with unspoken pain, but she becomes a bridge between him and Sofiya, advocating for love and healing. Sienna's arc is one of reclaiming joy and forging her own path within the Mafia world.

Mila Ivanova

Mila is Sofiya's younger sister and closest confidante. She is bold, rebellious, and determined to escape the confines of their father's control. Mila's relationship with Sofiya is the emotional anchor of the story, and her eventual rescue and freedom symbolize the breaking of generational cycles of abuse.

Angelo

Angelo is Sofiya's bodyguard and one of Matteo's most trusted men. He is kind, supportive, and becomes a true friend to Sofiya, helping her navigate her new world. His loyalty shifts from Matteo to Sofiya, and he risks everything to protect her. Angelo represents the possibility of goodness and care within a violent world.

Domenico

Domenico is Matteo's enforcer, initially a symbol of loyalty and strength. His betrayal is a devastating blow, revealing the dangers of misplaced trust and the rot within the Mafia's foundations. His actions set in motion the story's darkest events, and his eventual death is both justice and tragedy.

Rustik Ivanov (The Pakhan)

Rustik is Sofiya and Mila's father, the head of the Chicago Bratva. He is cold, cruel, and utterly self-serving, using his daughters as pawns in his quest for power. His ableism and emotional abuse shape Sofiya's self-image, and his death at her hands is a moment of catharsis and liberation.

Arben

Arben is the head of the Albanian Mafia, seeking to expand his territory and bring the skin trade to New York. He is ruthless and cunning, but ultimately a pawn in the larger game of alliances and betrayals. His defeat marks the end of an era of violence and exploitation.

Dimitri Ivanov

Dimitri is Sofiya and Mila's half-brother, long absent but ultimately returning to overthrow their father and become the new Pakhan. He represents the possibility of a new, more just order, and his alliance with Matteo signals a shift in the balance of power.

Leona Byrne

Leona is a top assassin for the Irish Mob, a woman who defies the gendered expectations of the Mafia world. She becomes an unexpected ally to Sofiya, helping her escape and fight back. Leona's presence challenges the status quo and expands the story's vision of what power can look like.

Plot Devices

Dual POV and Alternating Narration

The novel alternates between Matteo and Sofiya's points of view, allowing readers to experience both the external events and the internal psychological landscapes of the protagonists. This structure deepens the emotional resonance, highlighting misunderstandings, parallel traumas, and the slow, painful process of building trust.

Disability as Reality, Not Metaphor

Sofiya's disability is central to the narrative, shaping her experiences and relationships. The story avoids clichés of "overcoming" disability, instead portraying the daily realities, frustrations, and adaptations required. Her mobility aids, pain, and vulnerability are not erased by love, but integrated into her identity and her marriage.

The Dream List

Sofiya's Dream List is a recurring motif, symbolizing her desire for agency, joy, and a life beyond survival. It becomes a shared project with Matteo, representing their commitment to building a future together. The fulfillment of the list is both literal (snorkeling, travel, family) and metaphorical (love, safety, belonging).

Foreshadowing and Parallels

The story is rich with foreshadowing: the opening gunshots, the repeated motif of locked doors and cells, the parallels between Matteo's and Sofiya's childhood traumas. These echoes reinforce the themes of trust, betrayal, and the possibility of breaking cycles of violence.

Found Family and Chosen Loyalty

The narrative challenges the Mafia's obsession with blood and legacy, showing that true family is built on loyalty, care, and mutual respect. Characters like Angelo, Sienna, and Leona become as important as blood relatives, and the new alliances forged at the end signal a shift towards a more inclusive, compassionate order.

Analysis

Emilia Rossi's novel is both a gripping crime saga and a nuanced exploration of disability, trauma, and healing. By centering a disabled heroine in a world that prizes strength and ruthlessness, the book challenges ableist assumptions and redefines what it means to be powerful. Sofiya's journey is not about being "fixed" or "saved," but about claiming agency, demanding respect, and building a life on her own terms. Matteo's arc is equally compelling: a man forged in violence, he learns that true strength lies in vulnerability, care, and the willingness to change. Their relationship, forged in the crucible of betrayal and suffering, becomes a model for partnership built on communication, adaptation, and mutual support.

The novel does not shy away from the realities of chronic illness, abuse, or the violence of the Mafia world, but it refuses to let those realities define its characters. Instead, it insists on hope, on the possibility of joy and connection even in the darkest circumstances. The Dream List, the found family, and the final scenes of domestic happiness are not escapist fantasies, but hard-won victories. The message is clear: love is not a weakness, but a revolution. And in a world built on blood and betrayal, choosing to love—and to be loved—is the bravest act of all.

Last updated: April 30, 2025