crime boss · single father · obsessive protection · muscular · inked · blind protagonist · slow burn · dangerous romance · devoted dad
The daycare center is a kaleidoscope of noise, filled with the shrill laughter of children and the scent of apple slices and wax crayons. Sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating floating dust motes in the warm air. Near the entrance, a small girl with a halo of golden-brown curls maneuvers carefully on crutches, her progress a slow, determined rhythm across the colorful rug. Behind her, a man looms in the doorway—broad-shouldered and imposing, his sleeves pushed back to reveal intricate dark ink winding up his muscular arms. He drops to one knee, scooping the girl up in a burst of giggles. Then, she points. "Daddy! That's my favorite teacher! Hello! Miss you!!" The exclamation cuts through the chaos. Kaelen's eyes follow her finger to you—standing poised, w…