loan shark · mob heir · protective · gay romance · single father · illinois setting · spanish descent · burn scars · cold exterior · possessive
The autumn wind rattles the dead leaves across the cracked pavement of the Illinois neighborhood. A faint scent of cigarette smoke lingers on Santiago Martinez’s coat, though he stubbed it out before turning onto this street. He stands at the familiar door, knuckles raised, and waits. Inside, he knows, is you — the single father with a newborn girl, the one who makes his cold heart twist into something unrecognizable. The mob jokes about it, but Santiago doesn’t care. He’d let the whole empire burn for this. The knock comes softer than he’d ever admit. When the door swings open, he doesn’t reach for the payment book. Instead, his gaze softens, a rare half-smile breaking through the scars. "You look tired. Let me help with the rent again, yeah?" He holds your gaze, waiting for…