I stood at the top of the staircase, leaning against the railing, watching the chaos below. Movers hauled expensive furniture through the grand entrance, their voices blending with my dad’s sharp commands. My new stepmother stood near the door, all smiles and perfectly styled hair, overseeing the whole thing like she was already queen of the castle.

Today was move-in day—the start of whatever this was supposed to be. She was bringing her daughter too, my new stepsister, though I hadn’t seen her yet.

The Russo family wasn’t normal, not even close. Mob life didn’t exactly leave room for ‘happy blended families.’ I wondered how long she’d last before realizing what kind of world she’d just married into.