Mafia Devil

The Kings of Italy #4.5

by Mila Finelli

I’ve met the most perfect man.

Nic is big and rough, yet tender. Our chemistry is like nothing else I’ve experienced.

With his dark commands and gentle strength, we burn hotter than the Sicilian sun.

I fall fast and hard, head over heels for the first time in my life.

But I’m sensing he isn’t telling me everything. Otherwise, why keep me hidden away on his yacht?

And why does he have armed guards keeping watch over him?

Soon I learn why . . . and it turns out my instincts are right.

This man isn’t perfect—he’s the Devil. Ruthless and brutal, feared all over the world.

And now I know a secret that could get him killed.

I have to escape him, but will I truly ever be free?

* * *

MAFIA DEVIL is book #4.5 in the Kings of Italy Series. It takes place after MAFIA TARGET and before MAFIA VIRGIN. It isn’t necessary to read the other books in the series first, but it will definitely help!

Genres: M M Romance, Novella, Dark Romance, Romance, Mafia Romance, LGBT, Contemporary Romance

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2024

About the author

Mila finally decided to write the filthy mafia kings she's been dreaming about for years.

She's addicted to coffee, travel and books with bad men in them.

Newsletter: bit.ly/mila_newsletter
IG: instagram.com/mila_finelli_author
FB: facebook.com/milafinelliauthor/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mila-...

Reviews

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Kings of Italy series is so fun so when I saw a novella was added to the series, well I had to read it! This is a mm novella that takes place in the series at the same time as some events in the 4th book (Mafia Target), so having read that book at least will make the most sense. You’ll even have seen Theo and Nikolai as side characters in Mafia Target and you get Giulio and Alessio appearances in this novella.

So Mafia Devil is a quick novella, with insta love between an Italian clothing designer and a Russian mafia boss. It was fun seeing how Nikolai just goes for it right away when he sees what he wants (aka when he sees Theo). Lots of steam and fun between these two! But Nikolai definitely keeps secrets, or just doesn’t share exactly who he is, so that leads to tension once Theo finds out. Some moments were a little over the top and the amount of times Theo thinks “red flag” with things Nikolai does was a little overplayed. But all in all, a quick fun novella, just not a fav in the series for me!

[Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

He saw the red flags and he walked right past them. Poor guy.

- Hidden identity
- He’d give up anything to have him
- Fashion designer x Mafia boss
- Insta lust
- Strict top/bottom
- Tattooed H

Started of weak (not much happening but smut) but I was rooting for them in the end. They were really cute together.

The smut was smut. (It was fine, just a me problem) Stereotypes.com. I skimmed it all to be honest because I’m tired of seeing the same dynamics over and over.
Theo - fashion designer, dresses non traditionally for a guy, smaller, bottom.
Nikolai - Mafia boss, bossy, bigger, top.
There was also too much smut the first 50%, I just wanted to see them get to know each other. If you only have so many pages to work with, you need to work✨ with them.

I liked the mc’s. Theo more than Nikolai. I wasn’t fully interested in the story until 64% in to be honest. I really liked the ending, though I could see some ppl might feel it was a bit rushed. Idk I liked it, it was sweet.

3.25 stars

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

Great to be back in this world. This was a sexy little revisit.

Nic and Theo were perfect for each other.

4.5 stars
3 on the spice scale

[↬ Ⓛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

No offense Mila, but mafia devil should have been titled “red flags” 🚩 bc I lost track how many times I read and seen the words “red flag” in the story. 😂

[Colleen (colleenreads40) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 Stars

Mafia Devil is book 4.5 in Mila Finelli's Kings of Italy series. I think you'll definitely want to read the fourth book in the series, Mafia Target, before reading Mafia Devil. These are the only two books from the series I've read with no issues. Mafia Devil is a MM dark(ish) mafia romance. It's told from a first person dual point of view and has a guaranteed happily ever after. It's a short story at just over 100 pages. You can expect a hidden identity, a Russian billionaire mobster, foreign pet names, and all kinds of fun on a yacht.

There is a saying in Russian: Yesli lyubov’ ne bezumna, to eto ne lyubov’.
“When love is not madness, it is not love.” The madness set upon me, infected me, the instant I laid eyes on him. I could look at nothing else as soon as he walked into the private event.

I'm a huge fan of Mafia Target, and it was one of the first mafia romances I branched out into when I discovered Bookstagram. So you can bet I squealed when I saw that Theo and Nikolai were getting their own novella! If you've read the fourth book, you'll remember that Nikolai's yacht is where Giulio and Alessio hide out for a few days. Well, with Mafia Devil, we get Nikolai and Theo's side of the story and it made me so happy!

I loved these two together. As it's become abundantly clear, I am a sucker for big, tough, scary men having a soft spot for their favourite person. Nikolai, or Nic as Theo affectionately refers to him, is a high-ranking member of the Russian Bratva, yet, the care he shows towards Theo is just swoon-worthy. Their time together made me melt, and I felt the author did a great job at sweeping the reader up into their whirlwind of a romance. I wasn't totally sure they'd get their happily ever after unscathed, but for a dark mafia romance, I found this to be relatively low angst and a quick, easy read. I devoured it in one setting. My one and only complaint is that the ending felt slightly rushed, but it didn't really take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. I think fans of Mafia Target will absolutely adore this short story, and I'm so glad Mila Finelli gifted us with it!

“I feel too much for you, moya radost'.” My joy. “I wish I could keep you, wake up to you every morning. Keep all your smiles and kisses just for me. For you I wish it could all be different.”

[Alina Syrotiuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ця книга - це невеличка новела, про другорядних героїв з попередньої книги:

Ніколай Кузнецов — пахан «Братви» у Німеччині.

Тео Барелла — дизайнер одягу, має власний бренд.

Тут всього 107 сторінок, тому я не очікувала чогось неймовірного - але любовна лінія мені не сподобалась.
Ніколай все життя приховує свою орієнтацію, адже якщо хтось про це дізнається - він помре (братва не прийме гея). Саме тому він завжди максимально обережно шукає партнера на ніч - серйозних стосунків ніколи не розглядав.
А Тео в свою чергу живе відкрито і не приховує свою орієнтацію. Але як на мене саме його персонаж дуже клішований та максимально жіночний, мені це не сподобалось.
Одна проведена ніч - це все, що мало бути між ними - та коли Ніколай просить про ще декілька зустрічей Тео не відмовляє.
Два чоловіка, два різних життя - куди приведе їх ця пристрасть…
3/5⭐️

[GigiReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instalusty short novella. Flamboyant designer and stoic mean looking giant Russian mobster in the closet get freaky.
This one takes place during events in Mafia Target so I don't rec reading this one without reading that one first.

🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥🔥/5

[Jen's Quick & Dirty Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weakest link in a very strong series is still a pretty fun time.

✔️ Dual POVs (Nic x Theo)
✔️ Set in Paris/on a yacht (ON A BOAT)
✔️ Open-door xx romance (4/5 🌶️)
💔 Why they can’t be together: Nic is actually Bravta
✔️ Tropes: Secret identity; MM romance; instalove

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun short mafia novella.
I enjoy the Kings of Italy series and it was nice to get another couple's HEA

[Elyvia (eliv_bookstagram) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐌𝐀𝐅𝐈𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Nicolai is the leader of Bratva based in Germany, the fact that he is gay is a top secret and it will endanger his life if his people know about it. But one day he meets Theo, and try as he might, his secret can't go on forever, especially not when Theo is determined to not be kept in the closet. Is he willing to give up everything for him?

I have missed Milla's Mafia world, and after the last book left me a bit unsatisfied as I didn't get much of GUIESSIO (my babies), their cameo in this book is much appreciated. Nic and Theo's story is so fun and steamy, I enjoy this book, though I feel like this is way too short🫣 It's low angst, and we got another POV from the yacht scene in Mafia Target. If you're already a fan of this series, definitely need to check this out!

[Hijinx Abound · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick & sexy with a couple familiar faces.

[Luz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dije q ya no iba a leer nada de esta serie pero me topé again con ellos y dije ayyy a ver pss y estuvo entretenido, historia corta pero les da un cierre, ahora leeré el último libro de la serie

[Salima A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tropes:
- Dark Mafia MM romance
- Mafia boss x fashion designer
- Secret identity
- Insta lust
- He’s give up anything to have him

Nikolai being the Pakhan has had to keep his interest in me a secret, but when he meets Theo he can no longer hold himself and decided to go on a secret holiday with him on yacht.

Theo openly gay fashion designer has always attracted closeted gay men which was a problem for his lifestyle. However, he can’t deny the chemistry and deep connection he has with Nikolai.

Will he stay with him once his finds out his true identity or run for the hills? This was a short quick novella from the couple we met in the previous book.

[Jess.bookrecs · Rating 4 out of 5]

For how small this book is
At 165 pages on Apple Books; it’s pretty full circle. I enjoyed this shit out of it. The chemistry was giving, the spice was spicing, the violence was violencing and the characters? Oh my I love them. Using Russian, Italian and French for dirty talk in bed is never something I thought would wow me but look at me now lol.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Anytime I get to be back in Mila’s little mafia university I am just so happy. I truly could have enjoyed like 200+ more pages of these men 😮‍💨🥵

While this could be read as a standalone I totally think you need to read Mafia Target first as this overlaps with that book. But I think everyone should read this series 😏

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️
MM, Nic & Theo

[Sheena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars

[Rylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!! I haven’t read a mafia romance in soooo long. This was a good way to dabble in it a bit!

[Betts · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
It was a nice short story.
I enjoyed to see connection with the rest of the series and other perspectives to some scenes in Mafia Target.

[elza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice i guess, Theo is cute and Nic is Nic

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listen: I know this was originally just a short story for an anthology, so I don’t want to expect TOO much, plot-wise.

But, like, if I’m going to believe your commitment to anything at all, it should probably take a LITTLE more than two weeks on a yacht with a hot rando for you to fake your death, quit your whole life, and pretend to be German forever.

That there is a recipe for a midlife crisis and, like, two to three more fake demises. Though I do hope the hot rando gets the yacht in the divorce.

[TBR Roulette Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

TROPES: Insta Love, Mafia

PLOT
Nikolai has lived his life in the Russian mob in secret. If word got out that he was gay, he would no doubt be mercilessly killed. He’s kept that part of himself in the shadows. Until one day at an event, he meets the colorful, loud, fashion designer Theo. It was lust at first sight for the both of them. They easily fell into a hot, passionate affair that lasted longer than either of them expected. But Theo loves to live out loud while Nic keeps secrets from everyone, including Theo. Will their feelings for each other be enough to overcome their obstacles? Or will Nic have to let Theo go to keep him safe?

***SPOILER WARNING***
CHARACTERS
Nic- I wanted to like Nic. I really did. I just feel like he was so set in his ways that he couldn’t think outside the box for even a minute. Like I wasn’t sure if he was emotionally mature enough for this relationship. I think he got there in the end, but it was all so physical for him. I want to know what he likes about Theo that doesn’t benefit him in some way, you know?

Theo- Theo was such a fun character! He’s one of my favorites in this series. He was just so vibrant in a sea of broody mafiosos. It was like a breath of fresh air. However, he kept saying “red flag” when it came to Nic. Like, dude. If you see so many red flags, maybe don’t continue the relationship? I’m glad he had self worth and LEFT! Like YES! That’s exactly what someone should do in that situation.

SPICE
Since this is a novella, the spice to story ratio is probably higher than in the other books in this series. I think there was a lot more of the spicy scenes than the development of the relationships. The first few were really good, but I’ll be honest. I got a little bored.

FAVORITE MOMENT
I think this is one of the better grovel sequences I’ve read in a while. This is a massive spoiler, but I love that he faked his own death in order to be with Theo. Nothing says I love you more than giving up your entire life’s work and identity for someone. And I mean that not in a sarcastic way.

NOT SO FAVORITE MOMENT
I’m a fan of spicy scenes, don’t get me wrong. But these felt really repetitive. Like it was spice for no real reason. And yes, I understand in a novella the characters aren’t as developed, but there was almost no character development.

QUOTES
“‘I feel too much for you, moya radost.’ My joy. ‘I wish I could keep you, wake up to you every morning. Keep all your smiles and kisses just for me. For you I wish it could all be different.’”

“I can’t put it into words. You are like a beautiful morning sunrise after years of debilitating darkness.”


OVERALL, I would rate this book 3 out of 5 stars and 4 out of 5 chili peppers. It was perfectly fine novella. Nothing ground breaking here. It was a fun read though. I’m glad I bought it!

[Beech · Rating 2 out of 5]

Characters: Theo Barella & Nikolai Kuznetsov
Setting: Paris, France & a yacht on the Mediterranean Sea
Tropes: Hidden / secret identity
TW: Talk of homophobia
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Theo is a world famous fashion designer who is trying to work on his comeback after his last show was a failure. While out at an industry party networking he runs into this very handsome and suave businessman, Nikolai. After spending an intense night together Nikolai invites Theo to join him for a few weeks on his yacht for some Mediterranean sun and hot nights together. Unable to find any reason to say no Theo readily agrees, but partway through their holiday Theo's friend Giulio calls needing a place to hideout for a while. While giving his friend sanctuary from the mob Theo starts to put some pieces together about who Nikolai really is when he overhears a heated conversation between his mafia prince friend and his new lover. In fear for his life Theo flees Nikolai and tries to get back to his life in Paris.

Nikolai is a mob boss in the Bratva and has been in the closet all his life as there's zero tolerance for gay people in his line of business. When Nikolai meets Theo he ends up throwing all his safety measures out the window and does everything he can to make the man of his dreams happy. Including putting his own life at risk by harboring an Italian mob prince and his assassin lover on his yacht. When Theo suddenly cuts their holiday short claiming a work emergency Nikolai is left confused, but things become clear when he finds out Theo knows the truth of what type of business Nikolai is actually in. Devastated about losing Theo Nikolai is forced to make a choice between duty to the Bratva and the love of his life.

My thoughts: This is a very short novella that takes place during book 4 of the main series about Giulio's friend Theo and the shady businessman they met who let him and Alessio stay on his yacht. The story was fine? It wasn't anything amazing and I didn't particularly care enough about this couple to be eager to find out their story. I would have been more interested in a novella for Giulio and Alessio or maybe one of Enzo's brothers (book 3, Mafia Madman), but overall it was a very quick read and enjoyable enough.

[Book Nook Kitten · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give less than 1 star to this I would. This entire book is literally just copied and pasted into here from book 4, Giulio and Alessio story when they take refuge on Nikolia's yacht. Really pissed this cost me £3. Complete waste of money and time. It's crappy of the author to do charge readers to read an entire so called book that is just a scene regurgitated from the previous book.

I was instantly disappointed by the story because the author doesn't even write Nikolia's and Theo's story. She just wrote just one brief scene of them meeting/together then she jumps them ahead to 3 weeks later, spending time on Nikolai's big boat, to do exactly what I just said, copy and paste what was read in book 4 already into this.

Not only is it a crappy thing to do and ripping readers of, it's ridiculous and inane to just skip over them meeting. The whole point of reading a book is to read the characters story, meeting, getting together, build-up, tease, angst, tension, but there nothing of that here. And for it to be different from what you've already had you readers read in a previous book in the series.

Another issue, I don't like the author's covers. The models look nothing like the characters are described in the book. It's nicer when the cover model looks at least somewhat like their descriptions in the story, to give the reader an instant impression of them. That's the whole point of a cover.

I mean, the author wrote the male lead in this book as a huge, muscle bound, tattooed covered, older, brutal bratva boss, but the male model on the cover looks nothing like that. Just like the image on the cover for Mafia Virgin, that guy looks nothing like how the big, tattooed, boxer Giacomo is describe. Really disappointing.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5

TW - one MMC is closeted due to the beliefs in his community
CW - degradation

Tropes - hidden identity, russian billionaire mobster, foreign pet names, spicy yacht scenes, novella, mafia (sub plot)

Representation - MM

Mafia Devil follows Nikolai and Theo who we meet in Mafia Target so I was excited to read this story.

The pair meet in a club and Nikolai immediately wants Theo but, being a member of the Bratva means that he cannot be openly gay and Theo needs to decide whether his feelings for Nikolai are more important than the fact that he's still in the closet. Unluckily, this decision seems to be made for him

I enjoyed this story and the chemistry between the MMCs. This is a short (c.100 pages) and spicy so I would recommend 🤪

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List

[cloudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a part of me wishes this was a full length novel so perhaps the author could have resolved some of the issues i had with “mafia target” and how they transpired in this book. as much as i adore giulio x alessio, this story was about nic and theo, and with it being a novella the focus should have been solely on them, especially considering the fact that the other couple already has their own book (in which the focus was also not on them, i’m sensing a pattern here). i understand that both their stories overlap, but since i’ve read both i wanted something more, rather than spend so much time rereading scenes in different povs, no matter how much i like experiencing each couple through the other’s lens. nevertheless, they were so in tune and in love it made me yearn for it. just wasn’t a 5- star read because one of the reasons they broke up was because one of the mmcs wasn’t out. i know this is a mafia book, i know institutional homophobia and hate crimes are real and were a reality in previous books in the series, but can’t we gays have nice things? not all queer books need to be traumatic and bashing and sad. homophobia can and should be addressed but still achieving a satisfactory happily ever after, with emphasis on the happy.

[Nalía Premeru · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Nic and Theo happens between Mafia Target and Mafia Virgin. You do not need to read it in order, but it already touches a bit of both books. Theo was such a great character in Mafia Target that I looked forward to his story. I am obsessed with this series, and I held off on this book for way too long. It is very short, sexy, and secretive. Or at least for Theo ;) I would love to tell you more, but since it is so short, I don’t want to spoil anything. Theo and Nic could not have a further background from each other, but then again, Nic needs to keep his true identity a secret. But I freaking loved when Alession showed up and could not be fooled. It was great to have Giulio and Alessio back, even if it was just for a glimpse. I think I this year I will have to do a re-read of the series because it is freaking amazing!

💚MM Romance
💚Novella
💚Mafia Romance
💚Secrets

[Nicole (Happily_After_HEAs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad Mila gave us a chance to see Nic and Theo find their HEA. After meeting them in Mafia Target, I wanted more. And she delivered! While this is a novella, a little appetizer (appe-teaser, if you will), it definitely filled me up with all that I expect from ​Mila Finelli. Sexy, sensual, flirty, but we get to the heart of the relationship between Nic and Theo.

While this one is a bit more isolated than the others in the Kings of Italy series bc of the location and characters, we do see some fan favorites. This bite-sized treat will keep this avid fan satisfied until her next release--or until I read the entire series... again.

[Rose Guzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

Mafia Devil was a very spicy but bland novella.

It is part of the Kings of Italy series and takes place after Mafia Target but before Mafia Virgin. So I would recommend just reading the prior books first.

It’s dual POVs of the main characters.

Hero: Nic, a Russian mafia boss
Hero: Theo, an Italian clothing designer

This was a very quick story with not a lot of plot to be honest.

The romance was insta-love but Nic and Theo definitely had a very spicy relationship.

The last two chapters were quite rushed but there was still a great conclusion.

Overall, just a quick and okay read.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!!

Ugh I love Theo, very similar to Giulio but with a bit more ✨flare✨. Honestly I loved Theo when he was introduced in Mafia Target and I loved his friendship with Giulio. I could totally see why they were friends and I just love everything about this. I also loved seeing Giulio and Alessio again, still my all time favorite couple in this whole series. Nic and Theo are a close second, I wish this were longer cause I just want more them and I want to know how the conversation with Fausto would go 😂 I will probably reread this again and again. Just amazing and absolutely loved every minute of this!