Under His Protection

The Constella Family #1

by Leona White

A life-altering debt.
A silver fox savior.
A forbidden love that could destroy us both.

At 22, I'm running for my life.
Hunted by a ruthless motorcycle club.
Desperate. Alone. Out of options.

Until he claims me.

Dante Constella. 49. Mafia boss. Dangerous desire personified.
My protector. My temptation. My ruin.

Our lifeline? A fake relationship that shatters every boundary.
His power shields me. My innocence disarms his rivals.
It should be simple. Uncomplicated.

It's anything but.

One touch sets my body ablaze.
One kiss promises sinful delights I can't resist.
With each moment, our charade crumbles.

As enemies circle and shadows deepen, fate

I'm carrying his child.

Now, it's not just passion at stake—it's survival.
In Dante's world, love is a death sentence.
Can what began as pretense become our salvation?

Or will our forbidden bond be our ultimate downfall?

"Under His Protection" is a scorching age-gap mafia romance featuring a dominant silver fox, a feisty young heroine, and a fake relationship that ignites into an inferno of desire. Brace yourself for lethal family secrets, unexpected pregnancy, and a love that defies all odds. For mature readers only—this dark, steamy tale will leave you breathless.

Genres: Romance, Mafia Romance, Fake Dating, Age Gap Romance, Dark Romance

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2024

Reviews

[Hanife]

49 biraz fazla olmuş sanki. Adam resmen antropoza girecek yaşta lol

[Debora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devo ammettere che come mafia romance non è male, al contrario di tanti altri che parlano solo di sparatorie sangue e di come loro siano cattivi nella vita questo parla anche di altro, lei è la figlia di uno dei migliori amici di lui, non si vedono danni da quando Harry che è il padre di lei ha deciso di cominciare a fare il militare, Dante che è il protagonista è il figlio di un mafioso e decide di seguire le orme di suo padre quando questo muore e così la loro amicizia piano piano si sfalda, anche se non più amici lui vuole ancora molto bene ad Harry anche se questi poi è morto di tumore, Harry ha due figli Riki e lei, purtroppo sono stati cresciuti dalla nonna perché il loro padre era troppo preso dalla carriera militare così non hanno avuto una guida che li potesse aiutare ad andare avanti, Ricky ha preso una brutta strada che lo ha portato ad avere moltissimi debiti visto che gli piaceva scommettere, riesce a scommettere anche tutti i soldi che ha lasciato a loro il padre così da indebitarsi ancora di più, lei lavora tutte le sere per poter far quadrare i conti ma non ci riesce mai per colpa di Ricky, una sera lui le dice che finalmente ha trovato il modo per ripagare tutti i suoi debiti, ma quando torna da lei le dice che ha perso di nuovo ed era lei quella che ha scommesso, la scommessa contro il capo di un club di motociclisti che adesso la vuole, allora lei decide di scappare perché non vuole assolutamente diventare una preda, mentre scappa va a finire addosso a Dante che riconoscendola la porta via, da lì comincia la loro storia.

[♡Dalmtastic♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nina & Dante

Diese Kurzgeschichte dreht sich die Mafia, auch wenn es von der Handlung eher oberflächlich gehalten wird. Es gibt eine wechselnde Erzählperspektive beider Protagonisten, der Schreibstil hingegen ist stockend, da es mit der Übersetzung hapert.

Wie ich schon sagte ist die Handlung schnelllebig und oberflächlich, weswegen es keine tieferen Einblicke gibt und leider so manches nicht wirklich Sinn ergibt und zu chaotisch ist. Auch die Emotionen und Gefühle waren nicht wirklich spürbar beim lesen.
Zu den Charakteren kann ich sagen das sie für ihre angedachten Rollen gut gemacht sind.
Nina schien anfangs etwas Naivität zu besitzen doch das hat getäuscht. Auch wenn sie sich nicht für alles interessierte und über vieles hinwegsehen hat, war sie keinesfalls Blind und wusste genau wer Dante war und was er alles machen tut. Sie ist liebevoll, loyal, hat eine natürliche verletzlichkeit und doch ist sie auf ihre Art kämpferisch.

Dante ist ein Mafiaboss wie man ihn sich vorstellt. Er ist gerissen, stark, beschüzerisch, besitzergreifend, loyal und fürsorglich sowie streng und kämpferisch.
Das einzige an ihm was mich gestört bzw. verwirrt hat war seine in sich im Kreis drehenden Gedanken mit Nina und das er ihr vorspielen will das er es bei einem "Deal" bleibt und dich er sie immer wieder rauslockt für etwas ernstes.

Für zwischendurch okay.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st story in The Constella Family Series. We meet Dante a Don of his Mafia family who lost his wife years ago and never married. His son is his 2nd and does what’s necessary for the business. When Dante finds out his old friend passed away and is remorseful for missing the services. All the while their 3rd friend becomes his enemy with all the problems he is causing. Nina is the daughter of his deceased friend so when her older brother comes up with a way to make money Nina tries and fails to get him to see common sense. When his scheme with a MC fails all bets are off and Nina becomes collateral damage. Out of no where Dante is there to save her and their time spent together in a fake relationship turns into so much more and with it danger and Dante’s need to protect and claim Nina for real as his!! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dante is the Don of the Constella family. He has one son his wife passed away 30 years ago and he's had nothing but fling since then. Nina is a young girl just trying to survive. Her brother has a gambling addiction and uses her for every thing she has. The final straw was when he lost her in a bet to an MC. Running for her life is when she runs into Dante. She knew him because her father and him used to be friends. He agrees to protect her and pretend like they're in a relationship. Turns out neither of them are pretending. I really like the book I like the story I did have some issues with nina. Like when she ran into Dante for the first time her first question is you didn't go to my father's funeral when you have an MC after you that didn't make sense to me. And I really wanted to see Vanessa get what was coming to her. I hope Romeo finds happiness maybe even with Nina's friend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I absolutely loved reading this book I was hooked from the start until the very end, the story was captivating and the characters Dante and Nina were sensational. Nina works as a waitress to a popular restaurant unbeknownst to her, her brother gambles her away and lost to Reaper, the Devil's Brothers MC, she heads up going upstairs to try and get out of it. Dante is upstairs scanning the room making sure everything is going well as he was heading off, until someone slammed into him a gorgeous female one he hadn't seen for a long time, they talked and headed out the door together. Now the both of them have people after them. He told her to trust him, she doesn't know he is a Mafia boss, the chemistry between them was electrified.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under His Protection is the first book of The Constella Family series. Under His Protection is the journey of Dante and Nina. This book is written quite beautifully, with an amazing storyline which is backed up by amazing characters. Under His Protection is a captivating mafia romance, and I didn’t want to put this book down for even a second. I was a little sadden when the story came to an end because I wanted Dante and Nina’s story to continue to see what would happen to them once they were married and brought their child into the world. I’m not gonna give out any details pertaining to this book because I don’t want to reveal any spoilers. However, I would recommend this book for anyone. I’m looking forward to reading more of this author’s books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review

“A Silver Fox who sets my body on fire”

This is an age gap, mafia read with trigger alerts.

Brotherly love? Bet his own sibling to win previous losses.
Fake dating to appease leaches within the Mafia organisations.

Dante’s Constella - head of the Constella mafia
Nina - sibling whose life has been exploited by her brother.

Overall, life within the Mafia can be complicated especially when holding one’s positions. To maintain being the best requires determination and respect from your crew. Dante’s has more than proven himself as the beetle. Aligning his life with Nina was a change for him . From protection and lust, desire was formed.

It started over a lost bet to an MC. Each page was a turner. Full of action and desire. Question if there will be a follow up.
An enjoyment to read.

No spoiling.

Original post on booksprout

[Debbie Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Mafia Style!

Nina was trying to live and make ends meet has a waitress and her brother wasn't helping much by gambling everything away including the money that was left by their father for Nina.She had enough when Ricky tells her he has a plan,she soon fines out the plan,which includes her and a biker gang.She wants no part in it and runs but she runs into Dante,who is a friend of her late father's and her boss.He takes her home and he comes up with a plan to save her and at the same time she is helping him by being his girlfriend to stay out of the clutches of a ex family friend.So they set up a fake relationship which soon becomes real,but the biker gang doesn't take no very well and they are still after Nina and Vanessa is still trying to do anything and everything to keep Dante! Story is good,action wise,lovey dove at times but good!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nina was a waitress whose father had left an inheritance her and her brother Ricky. He promptly lost it all gambling. When he bet more than he had, he bet her to a biker president, who was not a nice man. When she ran, she an into Dante, who was a Mafia boss that had known their father. He spirited her away to protect her. They decided to pretend to be a couple to try and head off the bikers. It didn't really work and people got hurt . They knew it wasn't pretend anymore and had their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chronic Chihuahua · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Month And A Half

Haaaaaaaaaa

Your life has changed in a month and a half.

So much change.

Wow she really is 22 and a child isn't she?

Every time he calls her a woman he sees a child to protect and she sees a daddy.

A month and a half.

Hahahahaha

Maybe I'm too harsh to expect a 49 year old to relate to someone with shared experiences to him and not someone with less than half.

But I love riding these books, love hate reading the safe and buffered pretend this man is helpless.

Its cute.

Romanticising grooming.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for Under His Protection by ( new for me ) author Leona White

I was hooked from the first Chapter. Under His Protection is a mafia dark romance with quite an age gap … 27 ish years. It works … the chemistry between Dante & Nina just sizzles!

If you like Mafia genre romance with an over the top MMC that has met his match this read is for you!.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving Nina

Nina has an MC that is after her due to her brother having bet her while gambling. While this predicament has led her to Dante, it is the unexpected connection that really draws in readers despite their age gap. It was an exciting story, even with Nina being a little hard to like at times. Overall, this was fun to read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante and Nina. She has a brother that has a gambling problem and takes advantage f her at every turn. Heused her as collateral so shes running for her life and right into Dante a mafia boss who was her fathers best friend. They came together by chance and stayed together by fate. Their journey is dangerous, suspensful, and not so pretend. Well written and entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[EM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Mafia, age-gap romance by Leona White. This time with Dante and Nina we have a fake relationship (initially) Dad's Friend (sort of), protective Silver Fox, innocent but no push over heroine, uncertainty, danger from a few different directions, great chemistry and steam.

I hope Dante's son Romeo, who we meet in thos book gets his story too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie Keegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great plot.

Great story line and a bit unexpected. The characters are well defined and you can easily imagine exactly what they are like. He cares about his family and makes her feel at home. Eva is a bit harsh but just bareable. Keeps you wondering if they'll stay or go they're separate ways once things settle down. Lots of sexy bits, blazing gun fights and upsets all make this well written story very appealing.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy, leisurely read

This story is an age gap romance, it’s no second guess, mixed feeling romanace. With both main character very much strait laced with their feelings. I do like a bit more suspense and drama in my reads and although this had some they were very small parts of the book. It didn’t get me hooked like some books can, so it was more of a nice easy read, with a happy ending. Would recommend but maybe not as dark and steamy as some books in this genre can be.

[Pat Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet love story

Dante is the head of the Constella Mafia family. A long-standing widower, close to 50 years old, and married to his job. Nina is 22, poor, working as a waitress in Dante's restaurant. Her idiot brother decides to use her as collateral for a gambling bet, and he loses. Dante and Nina agre3 to fake date, which morphs into attraction and love. Add in Mafia wars, this story is very entertaining. I definitely recommend this book.

[Kathy Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

good storyline and look forward to reading the next in the series

A very good book with a storyline I liked from beginning to end. While some may describe a May to September romance, I didn’t feel the dislike of older man, younger women like I sometimes do with other books. Dante can’t help but be attracted to Nina and her to him. With a MC trying to take Nine as her own, Dante shows just how much he actually cares for her, having her under his protection. Can’t wait for the next Constella book in the series.

[Suez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under His Protection is the first book of The Constella Family series. I had a great time reading Dante and Ninas electric journey. The plot had me captivated from the beginning to the very end.  I recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelsey McCarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just What I Needed

The past few weeks, I have been in a rut about what to read. This book was just what I needed to get me excited about reading again. I loved Dante and Nina together. I just wished there was more, I wanted more of them together throughout the book but also an epilogue with a look into their future.

[Sarah wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read I loved it 😀

I loved the book, great story. It had me hooked and I read it all in twelve hours with a few breaks. Written easily to read and understand, the first few pages I was unsure if I'd like this book but after that I became quickly hooked into the story. Its pretty straight to tbe points but also flows nicely as well.

[MsRoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under His Protection (The Constella Family Book 1) By: Leona White. Dante Constella a mafia boss with no reason to be in a relationship. Nina will change everything when she runs into him. It’s a great story …

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a totally delicious read. Nina and Dante generated tons of sparks and sizzle as this engaging story unfolds. Drama, action, heat, intensity and twists and turns kept me glued to the pages and up late.

[Kerri Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante is a very sexy man! Nina is a head strong female. Her brother has a gambling problem and he used her for a bet. She runs from her brother and the person that won the bet. She runs to Dante and he keeps her safe. The chemistry is crazy with these two. The book was very well written.

[Shel Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante loved his Nina

This was so cute and fitting for Nina and Dante. I liked that they both fell in love at the same time. This is action packed too with the Devils brothers in the mix and his enemys daughter Victoria. Who was obsessed with him in the worst way! Very good!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

silver fox

Mafia and MCs
Two for the price of one in this case. If you love both even better. Expect to hate one side and find the other side hero’s.
Age gap romance that you just can’t help swoon at. Sometimes we just want a silver fox 🥰

[Sonia N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dante and Nina

This book is loaded with so much going on! It’s a mafia romance with lots of complications.
Dante is the head Don of the Manhattan mafia and there is a war brewing but who is causing it?
I enjoyed this book and would read another book by this author.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sexy, dark mafia romance story with Dante and Nina. Meeting as she's trying to escape, the older Dante takes her under his hand, both giving a form of protection for the other. Loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"-Ambos estábamos huyendo de otros, pero era exactamente lo que necesitábamos para juntarnos.
-Como si estuviera destinado a ser-.
-Si. Ahora y siempre".

[...]

Un libro de mafia como me gusta. Algo tierno con escenas tiernas y un poco de acción, SI!, me gusto mucho.