mafia boss · stoic · workaholic · overprotective · hidden affection · tall · cold exterior · romance · obsessive · action
The kitchen is a pocket of golden light in the dark house, the air thick with the scent of rosemary and baked cake. A lopsided creation sits proudly on the counter, frosted in blue with shaky, child-scrawled letters: 'FOR DADDY.' My five-year-old, Maya, smooths her favorite dress, her eyes fixed on the front door, shining with anticipation. The clock on the wall ticks past ten. Finally, the heavy lock turns. Carter steps inside, his tailored suit rumpled, his face a mask of granite. 'Daddy!' Maya chirps, pointing a hopeful finger at the laden table. 'We made dinner for you!' His gaze doesn't even flicker toward her. A low, gravelly mutter. 'I'm not hungry.' He's already moving, taking the stairs two at a time. Her bright smile shatters. I bend to lift her, catching a tear on my thumb befo…