Would you fall for the most wanted mafia don? Shelby Yates didn’t plan to fall for Matteo. She was in love with Harry and came from a well-respected family who cared about people’s values rather than money. But when she saved the mafia don, Matteo Franconi, he was left curious and in love with her.
This meant Shelby Yates had the dark and dangerous Mafia boss on his knees for her, ready to love her and give the world to her even if it meant getting rid of her boyfriend to marry her. Catch Shelby Yates and Matteo Franconi on ReelShort, In the Palm of His Hand movie is out now!
- Part 1: Meet In the Palm of His Hand Main Characters: Gangster & His Angel
- Part 2: In the Palm of His Hand Movie Storyline Breakdown: Shelby Yates and Matteo Franconi’s Mafia Romance
- Part 3: How Does Shelby Yates and Matteo Franconi’s Story Continue In the Palm of His Hand?
- Part 4: What Makes In the Palm of His Hand A Hottest Must-Watch of 2026?
Part 1: Meet In the Palm of His Hand Main Characters: Gangster & His Angel
1.1 Who is Shelby Yates?
Shelby Yates is the female protagonist of the movie In the Palm of His Hand. She was a college student who hailed from a caring family. In the world of chaos, she was true sunshine, always kind, innocent, and true to herself. Still a virgin, Shelby was dating Harry and planned to marry him someday.
This most lovable girl’s life took a dark turn when she accidentally saved the dangerous mafia boss Matteo Franconi’s life. She left him curious and obsessed as the mafia boss vowed to marry her.
Though Shelby’s heart belonged to Harry, Matteo’s touch was irresistible as Shelby signed up to marry the mafia boss to save her ex, unaware he was simply using her to extort money from the don.
Behind the scenes it’s Maria Barseghnian who plays Shelby Yates in the In the Palm of His Hand movie. She’s a multi-talented actor and writer who wrote and produced her short film while in school. On ReelShort, Maria is already a star actress, so don’t forget to check out her other movies!
1.2 Who is Matteo Franconi?
Matteo Franconi led the Standyne Mafia and was Don of the Franconi family. His adopted father, Marco Franconi, was the ex-don. He was ordered to marry Marco’s daughter Francesca to keep the Franconi family legacy going. But Matteo fell in love with a college student, Shelby Yates, who saved his life.
Despite his obsession with Shelby, he wanted her to want him back, hoping to get a chance to know her. Because the cold-hearted mafia boss had fallen in love with Shelby and would do anything to make her love him.
Curious to know the In the Palm of His Hand cast playing Don Matteo Franconi? Meet Chase Mattson, a California-born actor and model who’s been pursuing his passion in the entertainment industry since age eighteen, after graduating high school. Watch him as the sexy mafia don on ReelShort.
Part 2: In the Palm of His Hand Movie Storyline Breakdown: Shelby Yates and Matteo Franconi’s Mafia Romance
In the Palm of His Hand movie opens with Matteo Franconi brutally killing the local capo, Donny, despite his loyalty towards the Franconi family. This led to the don being attacked and chased down by killers in the dark alley where he crossed paths with Shelby Yates.
One look at injured Matteo Franconi, Shelby Yates didn’t hesitate to swoop in to save his life, even if it meant kissing him to mislead his attackers. Unaware her kiss was going to leave the dangerous Mafia don hooked. Because Matteo couldn’t get enough, not with their first kiss or third.
Soon the don tracked down Shelby Yates to her classroom as he showed up with gifts and a gun in his hand to ask for her hand in marriage in front of her father, Professor Mr. Yates. It was love at first sight for the crime boss, as he didn’t hesitate to show his love, his weakness.
But Shelby Yates couldn’t possibly love a mafia don, not when she was dating Harry, her loving boyfriend. As Shelby rejected Matteo’s proposal, Harry, who was a lying gold digger after her family’s money, soon went down on his knees, proposing to her.
Marrying Harry was perfect for Shelby, the innocent college senior, as she said yes and had Harry’s parents meet hers, discussing their marriage. However, Mrs. Yates had quickly discovered Harry’s gambling debts.
With his secret out, Harry, who wanted to marry Shelby to pay off his debts, quickly lied about being debt-free and was ready to fake financial documents, fooling everyone in the name of love.
Meanwhile, Matteo Franconi announced he had found a woman to marry in front of his adopted father, Marco Franconi. The ex-don wanted Matteo to marry his daughter Francesca instead, as In the Palm of His Hand movie took a turn.
In love with Shelby, Matteo defied Marco’s order and even took the brutal punishment. Enraged by Matteo’s disobedience, Marco Franconi and his daughter Francesca quickly got into ruining Shelby’s life and even plotted her death.
Just when Shelby Yates was relieved to know it would be Harry, her future husband, she got a call from the don with her boyfriend’s life in threat. Because Harry had lied about repaying his debts. He vowed millions to the Franconi family and was late in payments.
As a result, Matteo Franconi was ready to show Harry what happens when he messes with him. But Matteo had an offer: he would let Harry go free if he broke up with Shelby. Poor Shelby saved her boyfriend, who was only trying to extort money using her, as she signed a marriage contract with Matteo Franconi.
Later at Matteo and Shelby’s wedding, the mafia don, the dangerous criminal, wanted Shelby to choose him as Harry returned, objecting to their marriage. But all it took was thirty million for Matteo to get Harry to sell his love for Shelby.
Heartbroken Shelby Yates married Don Matteo Franconi to keep her word. Unaware the Franconi family would never accept a commoner like her as family and was already planning to ruin their marriage.
Part 3: How Does Shelby Yates and Matteo Franconi’s Story Continue In the Palm of His Hand?
Shelby Chose Matteo
When Harry objected to Shelby’s wedding with Matteo Franconi, she really believed her boyfriend truly loved her. With Matteo ready to let go of Shelby, giving her the choice to pick Harry over him, Shelby was ready to find her HEA with Harry.
However, Harry, the scumbag of a boyfriend who was confessing love and talking about his devotion for Shelby, went back against his words when Don Matteo offered him thirty million dollars.
Taking the money, Harry and his family were delighted as their gamble had paid off and had restored their family’s fortune as they walked away rich. Poor Shelby was betrayed by the man she loved. Unlike Harry, Matteo actually cared for Shelby and was even ready to set her free.
However, Shelby, despite the fear of her parents, made up her mind as she took Matteo as her husband in the movie In the Palm of His Hand.
A Snake on the Wedding Night
The enemies struck on Shelby Yates and Matteo’s wedding night. As the don left his newly wedded wife despite her wanting to fulfill her duty as a good wife, poor Shelby got bit by a snake.
Don Matteo Franconi didn’t hesitate to rush to save his wife and had to suck the venom out of her body to save her. With Matteo on his knees for Shelby, she couldn’t resist his charm as things got heated up between the two.
The Don Chose His Wifey
Marco Franconi and his daughter Francesca tried to tear Shelby and Matteo’s marriage apart by pulling dirty tricks. They even framed Matteo as a cheater and went on to kidnap Shelby. But in In the Palm of His Hand’s ending, Matteo Franconi saved his wife, sealing their happily ever after as Marco and Francesca got arrested by the FBI, getting their well-deserved payback.
Part 4: What Makes In the Palm of His Hand A Hottest Must-Watch of 2026?
Electrifying Chemistry of the Cast
Chase Mattson and Maria Barseghnian, the cast behind Matteo Franconi and Shelby Yates, are the highlights of In the Palm of His Hand. From their intoxicating allure to their irresistible chemistry, the hottest duo are raising the temperatures on ReelShort screens.
High-Stakes Dark Romance Story
Matteo Franconi, the don, marrying Shelby Yates was unacceptable to the Franconi family. She was a commoner and was made to be an outcast. But she was the only one worthy of the Don’s heart.
With their budding romance and heated love, Shelby and Matteo had to navigate the mafia conspiracies and danger. Their high-stakes dark romance is too hard to miss if you’re a fan of the Mafia love stories. So check out the In the Palm of His Hand movie on the ReelShort app and website.
