The Mafia Who Bought Me

Elena POV

The rain slammed against the thin roof of our little house, a steady drumbeat that matched the panic coiling in my chest. I pressed my palms against the cold window, trying to convince myself it was just the storm outside. But deep down, I already knew this was bigger than the weather. The feeling had been growing for weeks, and tonight it was suffocating.

"Elena… we have a problem."

My father's voice came from behind me, quiet and shaky. I turned around slowly. He was standing in the doorway holding a crumpled envelope, his hands trembling so badly the paper shook with them. His face looked pale under the yellow light of the old lamp. He wasn’t even trying to hide it this time.

My stomach dropped before he said another word.

“What’s going on?” I asked. My voice came out smaller than I wanted.

He didn’t answer right away. Just stared at me with those sad, guilty eyes. The kind of look that made my chest tighten.

“We’ve got a problem, kiddo.”

I swallowed hard. “What kind of problem?”

He rubbed a hand over his face, the stubble scratching loud in the quiet room. “The debt. I… I thought I could handle it. Thought I had more time. But they’re done waiting.”

My heart started beating faster. I already knew what he was talking about. Gambling. Again. After everything he promised when Mom died. After all the nights I sat with him while he cried and swore he’d never touch another card or bet.

“How much?” I whispered.

He looked away. “A lot. More than we’ve got. Way more.”

Before I could say anything else, a loud bang hit the front door. Hard. The whole house seemed to shake with it.

"Rossi! Open up!"

Dad jumped like someone had shot at him. The envelope fell out of his hands and papers scattered across the floor. I could see red stamps on them from where I stood. Late notices. Warnings. Threats.

“Dad…” My voice cracked.

Another bang. Even harder this time. The door rattled like it was about to break.

“I’m coming!” My father called out, but his voice sounded weak. Scared.

He looked at me with this broken expression I’ll never forget. “Stay back, Elena. Please.”

But I couldn’t. I followed him as he walked to the door, my bare feet cold on the wooden floor. My hands were shaking. When he opened the door, cold wind and rain rushed inside, and three big men stepped in without waiting to be invited.

They filled up our tiny living room instantly. Big coats dripping water everywhere, hard faces, no smiles. The tallest one stepped forward first. He didn’t yell. He didn’t need to. The way he looked at my dad was enough.

“You’re late again, Rossi.”

My father put his hands up a little. “Please… just give me a few more weeks. I’ve got something lined up, I swear—”

The man cut him off with a short laugh.