Don's Kitten

Five Borough Mafia #2

by Amanda Horton

Riccardo Romano built a life on ruthlessness. Feelings were a liability he refused to indulge—until Savannah Cross’s pain drew him in like a magnet. She’s the definition of working double shifts, fighting to keep her mother alive, and concealing her own heart condition because they can’t afford two treatments. Her predatory boss only tightens the trap she’s stuck in.

Riccardo has been watching her unravel piece by piece, aching to step in. The night her boss corners her, he finally does—emerging from the shadows with a violence reserved for threats against what’s his.

Savannah collapses from stress and hidden pain. Riccardo lifts her against his chest, protective instinct thrumming like a heartbeat. She has no idea why he cares. He’s already decided she’s his Kitten—and he’ll be whatever she needs to keep breathing.

* This possessive mafia romance features an obsessive protector Don, a sweet hardworking heroine, stalking-as-protection, hurt/comfort, and a scorching, emotionally intense bond. HEA guaranteed. This is an instalove romance between Riccardo and Savannah.*

Genres: Novella, He Falls First, Mafia Romance, Dark, Contemporary

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 19, 2025

Reviews

[mary ♡⋆ ࣪₊ꫂ᭪݁⋆˙ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I choose you,” I declare boldly. “Today, tomorrow, every day after. You’re my family. My wife. The one I will protect above all else.”

I want one Riccardo please! the way he was so patient with savannah is every girl's dream

“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my fucking life.”

Honestly wow. I really didn’t expect it to be this good! I finished the last page and immediately wished there were at least 300 more because the story has so much potential and I wasn’t even close to being done with these characters. The writing was incredible. It had effortless flow And now I already know I’ll be reading more books from this author!!

[Joanne Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riccardo has been watching Savannah from the sidelines unwilling to step forward and take what he wants. When Savannah finds herself in a dangerous situation Riccardo cannot help but step in to save her. Once he has her in his arms he is never letting her go, she just needs to get on board.

[Luna ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute and short mafia romance in this series. Sadly this was the exact same blueprint as the first book and while this was entertaining I wish we got another unique storyline. I love over the top male characters but they should have their own special character treats. All in all an enjoyable book but the plot and love story was copy paste.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

He steps out of the shadows when she needs him most. Now she’s his.

Savannah is barely keeping it together. She works brutal shifts under a boss who doesn’t know boundaries, hides a heart condition she can’t afford to treat, and spends everything trying to keep her mother alive. There’s no backup plan. No one to lean on. Just survival.

Mafia Don Riccardo built his world on discipline, distance, and ruthless control. But something about Savannah pulls him in. He watches her struggle, waiting, until the night she’s cornered and he finally steps in. That moment changes everything. She becomes his priority. His obsession. His kitten.

Thrown into his world of power and danger, Savannah doesn’t know how to handle a man who sees everything and still chooses her. She’s used to carrying it all alone. Riccardo won’t let her. What starts as protection turns into something deeper, something she’s never known before.

It’s not sweet. It’s not slow. But it’s real. And it shifts them both forever.

Savannah grows from guarded and exhausted to someone who lets herself be cared for without losing her strength. Riccardo, once detached and cold, softens only for her. What begins as obsession turns into a soul-deep bond, fueled by trust, need, and the kind of loyalty that doesn’t break.

A dark, obsessive, age gap, instalove mafia romance with protective alpha energy, stalker-turned-savior intensity, and emotional heat at its core. It’s about surviving when the world keeps taking, learning to trust when you’ve only had yourself, and finding love that doesn’t ask you to shrink. When survival meets obsession, everything changes.

The Elevator Pitch: A ruthless mafia don steps in when a woman on the edge has nowhere left to turn, claiming her as his and meaning it. Their connection burns fast and deep, tangled in obsession, protection, and need. Dark, emotional, and dangerously addictive, it hits straight to the heart and doesn’t let up.

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 this author is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

TROPES:
-age gap
-mafia
-chronic illness rep (heart murmur)
-he falls first!

Riccardo has been infatuated with a younger chef at his favorite restaurant and has secretly kept tabs on her for... a while. ;) He protects her from creeps without her even knowing. Yet when her boss makes a move on her- he's there to help.

Who wouldn't want an older mafia boss who threatens other men when they touch you without consent, brings you home to live with him, gets a doctor/meds for your undiagnosed heart problem, takes care of your sick mom AND gives you endless orgasms? I'd love that.

Quick, sweet, and smutty read. Five shining stars!

SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate/etc: virgin heroine, celibate hero
OM/OW: her boss tries to SA her, but the hero takes care of him. there's no other OM/OW drama at all!
Cheating/sharing: none
Kinks: dirty talk, praise
Triggers: attempted SA, violence
HEA?: yes!

My bookshelves may contain spoilers.

[Cherie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.
📚✨🔥💞✨🔥✨🔥✨🔥✨✨🔥📚

[giuligatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again I had fun. Ignore the horrible nickname and you would too.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like Luca in the first book, Riccardo shows up exactly when Savannah needs him the most. And honestly? It’s a miracle Savannah is still standing. Between a mother who desperately needs a life-saving (and wildly expensive) operation, endless shifts under a sleazy boss who never misses a chance to invade her space, and her own serious health condition, Savannah is running on sheer willpower and fumes. Riccardo sees all of it. He feels the pull toward her, but she’s too young, too innocent, and he convinces himself to keep his distance—until the night her boss crosses a line she can’t escape on her own. From that moment on, Riccardo is done holding back. I loved the way his instinct is to shoulder her burdens, starting with her fragile heart—both medically and emotionally. As a mafia Don, Riccardo lives by discipline and control. To the outside world, he’s ruthless, cold, and calculating. But with Savannah? He’s patient, gentle, and achingly warm. He shows her that leaning on someone doesn’t make her weak, it makes her human. Amanda has an incredible talent for packing depth, emotion, and heart into her short reads. Watching their relationship evolve from protection on his part and desperation on hers, into something rooted in love, trust, and healing had me smiling all damn day. 💖
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

We met Savannah in the first book, but didn’t know much about her, only that she worked with Erin. Now, reading her story, I can’t imagine what this poor girl has gone through. Working while being sick is never easy, and having a CREEP of a boss who is making her life even harder. On top of that, she cares for and financially supports her sick mother. Talk about the weight of the world on her shoulders

I related so much to Savvy; having a sick parent definitely takes a toll on you. Not to mention, in Savannah's case, she also has a heart condition, so my heart hurt for her, and I felt for her with everything she was going through.

Riccardo has been watching from a distance, unable to make a move until he absolutely has to in order to save her. But now that he has her, he’s never letting her go.

The epilogues made me tear up. If anyone deserved a HEA, it was them. 🩷🥹

Loving this series, and now I’m reading Don’s Flower!

[Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is a novella with an HEA that will melt your heart.
I loved Savannah. Her caring for others before herself puts her above all others in Riccardo's mind. I loved his "stalking" yet not, just to keep her safe. Of course she is unaware until one night when he rescues her .
I loved Mary and her seeing things Savannah does not want to admit. She also brings a little bit of humor into the story.
The story coincides with the first book in the series, The Don's Angel with Luca and Erin. And a hint for the next book when he visits Matteo.
POV of each progressing the story. The flow was good.
I fell in love with Riccardo's protectiveness. He also had territory to protect and problems to solve which he did in his usual fashion.
Loved Riccardo's inner thoughts.
Can't wait to read the next Don's story.

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

[Aspen G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’s Kitten is a mafia-lite, stubborn and steamy novella with danger and drama. Savannah and Riccardo have intense chemistry, a beautiful connection, and definite issues to work through. Savvy is a hard worker and a caring woman who has terrible self-esteem and is stubborn as all get out. Riccardo watches her and cares for her from afar—obsessed over her though he denies it to anyone who questions him—until he can’t hold back any longer. The way he loves her is so swoony sweet—such a contrast to the rest of his personality—and the journey these two take is filled with drama and danger and spicy sensual moments too. This is a fun and engaging read with an awesome HEA.

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

[Rozebudzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savannah and Riccardo

Mafia lite novella, part of a series that doesn’t have to be read in any particular order. It’s instalove and stalking trope.

Savannah is a hard working an underpaid sous chef at a restaurant that Riccardo goes to every night just so he could stalk her. Savannah is trying to make ends meet and paying for her mom’s medical debt. She also has her own medical issues.

Riccardo saves her from her harassing boss and takes her to his home. Their chemistry is intense and steamy. There is no conflict between the two main characters. The plot follows the same template as the other novellas in this series. Riccardo has to rescue her once again, asks her to marry him. Dual POV, two epilogues, no drama, HEA.

[Saydi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. While it's very short, I thought that the pacing of the storyline was good and somehow it didn't feel too rushed. The writing itself was good and with minimal errors. Since the story was short the character development wasn't extensive, but I still liked the characters.
As for spice, it was there without being unnecessarily graphic. I really appreciated this as many books of this genre focus too much on the spice and lose sight of the story line.
All in all, I enjoyed the book.

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

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was sooo good. I was hooked from the very first page and I couldn't put it down till I finished the book. Savannah feels like she has just been surviving but now she is reaching the spot where she is drowning. Riccardo has been waiting to step in and claim his woman. The way these two come together makes for a sweet and enjoyable book. I just love when these alpha men find that one woman for them. This is such a good read you won't be disappointed. I cannot way to see what else this author has up her sleeve for us with the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third Horton story!
I am totally enamored with her writing!
Her world-building, her amazing characters.

I fell so hard for Riccardo!
What an amazing man, boss, protector, alpha male!
Savannah is so lucky he found her!

Savannah.
Man does she have the weight of the world on her shoulders!
Will she let Riccardo help carry that weight?

I hope we're going to get a Valerio story soon!
He's also an amazing character!
Loved the banter between him and Riccardo!

Excellent, excellent story!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riccardo and Savannah are amazing characters. Savannah works herself to the bone to take care of her mother, who has a medical condition that requires expensive medication. Riccardo has been watching Savannah for quite some time. Riccardo is very protective of Savannah. Their relationship and what it turns into makes for an epic story, unique and addictive to read about.

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

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickie Review: This was a new to me author and a wonderful, quick read. I loved that even though Riccardo is a lethal mafia boss, he is an absolute softy for his woman. There are many of my favorite tropes throughout the story: stalking, age gap and instalove. And for such a quick read, there is a lot happening and a lot of plot. I will definitely be looking into more by this author. 5 Stars.

[SusanT62 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riccardo saves Savannah from an assault, takes her home and claims her for himself.

This was a very fast read. The lead couple was very likable and the supporting cast was a positive addition to the story. It was spicy with scenes of violence which appears in most mafia books.

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

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riccardo has been watching Savannah for a while, and protecting her from the creeps in the shadows but never acted on his own feelings until her boss gets handsy and he steps in making her know exactly what lengths hell go to, to make her feels protected and loved. Well written engaging steamy desires and more.

[Jj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put the book down, it draws you in. It's like with others from this series; it's s dark, touches some messed up topics but doesn't go into too much detail of them. It has a protective hero, a strong but tiered girl and HEA full of devotion and love.

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

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sooo good, I highly recommend it for everyone, who loves a spicy story with an protective morally grey hero, who does everything for his woman, is so infatuated that he silently "follows" and protects her, cares for you and your family.

Ricardo is definitely a new book boyfriend!

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

[Hannah - Twiggy | Booktok · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Ending: HEA
Notes: sweet and short, lacked a little explanation in this one, and I feel like the “climatic” scene wasn’t as good as the first book, but still sweet relationship between MC’s

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read for an evening!

I highly recommend this very quick read. If it's not called a novella, it should be... took me no time at all to get through it, yet it had action, spice, romance... Everything I wanted!

[Brenda A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay..

Not what I was expecting it was Mafia light a little bit of spice. It started out okay but it was a little boring and I lost interest The book was well done I just was expecting more. I like a little angst a mystery in a Mafia book.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but not as much as the first book. I just don’t think I connected with Savannah. I found their story a little predictable. But I still liked it & will continue the series.

[Kelly Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! Riccardo and Savannah have alot of chemistry. I love how he wants to help and make life easier for her. He is OTT but in such a sweet way!!.

[Miki · Rating 1 out of 5]

BH

[Victória · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virgin h
Non manwhore H
Hea

[Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww this was such a nice story. OTT man that sweeps the FMC off her feet into the sunset.

[Jackie Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ric and Savannah 🥰🥰🥰 love this book!