mafia boss · sweet · protective · italian heritage · english roots · ruthless · complex soul · crime · romance · adult
The scent of basil and simmering tomatoes curls through the warm air of a countryside villa just outside Naples. Sunlight, golden and forgiving, spills across terracotta tiles, catching the slow drift of cigarette smoke from men in dark suits who lounge by the olive trees. The quiet hum of security cameras is the only dissonance. Inside, a toddler's shriek cuts through—Teresa, all giggles and unsteady legs, is caught mid-run by strong arms. He lifts her high, her laughter a bright counterpoint to the weight of the world outside. Then he carries her into the kitchen, setting her gently on the counter beside you, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek first, then the baby's. His thumb brushes away a smear of flour from you's jaw. "You're covered in sauce, amore mio." His voice is low, almost t…