This Mafia Lord Is Obsessed With The Hacker He Wants

Synopsis

Chicago, 2130.
In a damaged and violent Chicago, Eden does her best to stay out of trouble. Working as a hostess by night, when daylight comes she has to hide and protect her secret: She is Ghost, one of the most sought-after criminal hackers on the dark web. every day at dawn, Eden jumps onto the other reality to earn money and find answers to her questions.
Until one night, Eden makes the wrong decision.
She saves Dante “Tiger” De Luca, one of the Mafia Lords of Chicago, From there on, Eden can no longer hide, and she needs to run fast.
Dante isn’t the only one who wants her…

Review

This Mafia Lord Is Obsessed With The Hacker He Wants

If you’re searching for your next addictive read, one that throws you into a gritty, dangerous future and introduces you to a morally grey alpha you won’t be able to stop thinking about and the fiercely independent woman who’s unknowingly caught his attention, then prepare to dive into *The SongBird’s Love*. Set in a broken Chicago of 2130, this story immediately grips you with its blend of cyberpunk elements, brutal mafia politics, and the electric tension between two characters on a collision course.

We first meet Eden, a woman navigating the treacherous Suburbs – the world outside the gleaming, sterile Core. By night, she works a demanding job as a hostess and bodyguard in a jazz bar run by the fabulous and surprisingly tough Jack (or Jacquie, depending on the floor!). But when the sun rises, Eden sheds her skin and becomes Ghost, one of the most elusive and sought-after criminal hackers operating in the shadowy corners of the Dark Reality. This double life isn’t just for thrills; it’s a necessity, funding her survival and, crucially, the expensive medical care her mother requires.

Eden is a character you’ll immediately root for. She’s pragmatic, resourceful, and possesses a quiet strength forged by hardship. Her life is a constant struggle for survival, dealing with prejudice (“Parts” like her, with cybernetic limbs, face immense challenges), navigating dangerous territories ruled by different mafia “Zodiacs,” and grappling with the emotional toll of her circumstances, particularly her mother’s condition. Watching her handle unruly customers with a swift, impactful kick (thanks to those powerful legs she keeps hidden) or her tender moments caring for orphaned puppies shows her complex nature – tough when needed, deeply compassionate at heart.

Enter Dante “Tiger” De Luca. Introduced in the chilling prologue, he’s everything you expect from a mafia lord – ruthless, powerful, and utterly terrifying. We see him kill a subordinate without a second thought, his cold “amber eyes” described like those of an “apex predator.” His presence dominates the room, radiating danger and absolute authority. He’s a man who gets what he wants, and his current singular focus? Ghost.

The central conflict introduced early on is Dante’s obsession with finding Ghost. He doesn’t just want her caught; he wants information, he wants to *know* who this person is who keeps besting everyone. The price he puts on any information about Ghost is astronomical, escalating to a staggering reward just for bringing Ghost to him *alive*. This immediately elevates the stakes. It’s not just a boss looking for a troublesome hacker; it’s a powerful, dangerous man captivated and challenged by an unknown entity he’s determined to possess.

The tension between Dante and Eden is built on this dynamic of the hunter and the hunted, amplified by the delicious irony that Eden is Ghost, and Dante is completely unaware that the woman he’s hunting in the virtual world exists right under his nose in the real one. Every moment Eden spends living her normal life feels fraught with peril, knowing that the Italian Tiger and his men are searching for her. Her reliance on Loir, the eccentric and equally elusive hacker in the basement, adds another layer of complexity and danger to her secret life.

The world-building in *The SongBird’s Love* is fascinating. The stark contrast between the privileged, seemingly perfect Core and the harsh, polluted Suburbs is vividly portrayed. The system of SINs regulating citizens’ lives and the existence of “Parts” highlight the social inequality and technological advancements of this future. The rule of the Zodiacs – the Italian Tiger, Chinese Dragon, Mexican Eagle, Rat, Snake – creates a complex political landscape where survival depends on navigating loyalty, territory disputes, and sudden outbursts of violence. It’s a brutal world, and our heroine has to be equally tough to survive it.

While the romance hasn’t fully blossomed in these initial chapters (it’s definitely a slow burn building on intense anticipation!), the foundation is incredibly compelling. The allure of Dante’s dangerous power and singular focus on Ghost clashes against Eden’s hidden vulnerability and fierce independence. The dynamic promises intense moments and high stakes as their paths inevitably converge. There’s a palpable heat in the *idea* of their worlds colliding, hinting at a relationship built on power, secrets, and undeniable attraction. The “mature” tag hints at the steam to come once the tension boils over.

Supporting characters like Jack, Loir, and Lula add depth and moments of warmth (or chaotic humor, in Loir’s case) to Eden’s isolated life. Loir’s enigmatic presence and questionable methods as her hacking partner provide both essential support and additional risk. Jack’s protective nature and flamboyant persona offer a touch of humanity and a safe (well, relatively) haven in the dangerous Suburbs bar.

These initial chapters skillfully set the stage for an epic, high-stakes romance. They introduce us to a world on the edge, a heroine with incredible secrets and resilience, and a hero who is terrifyingly powerful and singularly focused. The constant threat of discovery, the looming danger of the mafia wars, and the promise of a clash between two formidable individuals make this story impossible to put down.

If you crave alpha heroes who are obsessed with the heroine, enjoy stories with strong female leads navigating dangerous situations, and love the tension of hidden identities and secrets, then you absolutely *need* to start reading this story. The hunt is on, the stakes are sky-high, and the collision course between Ghost and the Italian Tiger is set to be explosive. Don’t miss out on this thrilling ride!