Dark Romance
Dub con
Forced Proximity
Mafia
Obsession
Possessive MMC
Power struggles
Unaliving
1
Alina
Istand behind the counter, kneading dough with hands that move on autopilot, my mind racing. The sweet, yeasty aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air, but even that comforting smell can’t hide the decay creeping through the bakery.
The walls are faded, the paint cracked. The counters, once warm and polished, are worn from years of use. Customers are few and far between, and most of the tables sit empty, just like the register most days.
Mom always said I was a dreamer, and perhaps she’s right. I’m one of those people who can’t help hoping for something better. Even when I know it’s against all odds, against all logic. I still have hope that things will get better.
I glance out the wide window that faces Mayfield Road. Little Italy, once a lively, thriving hub of Cleveland, still holds some of its charm. The family-run restaurants and cozy cafes survive, but everyone knows why—this neighborhood belongs to the Russofamily. They control it all. They’re the reason some businesses stay afloat and why others vanish overnight.
