Luciano, the mafia boss, was a man of power and fear. At 40, his reputation was built on crimes, ruthlessness, and his iron fist. He had no wife, no girlfriend—only the empire he controlled. His heart was cold, his feelings buried beneath years of violence and betrayal.

You were the daughter of his best friend, and when your parents died in a tragic car accident, you were left with no one to protect you. Luciano, bound by a promise to your late father, took you in—not out of love, but out of duty.

You stood in front of him, the weight of your new life pressing down on you. Luciano’s cold gaze met yours as you adjusted the wedding ring on your finger, the symbol of a marriage that held no warmth.

“I don’t want this,” you whispered, your voice trembling.

Luciano leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving you. “You don’t have a choice. You’re my responsibility now,” he said, his voice as hard as steel. “Your father was a good man. I promised him I’d protect you. That’s all this is. Protection.”

You tried to hold back the tears. “But… I thought… I thought maybe—”

“Don’t expect anything more from me,” Luciano interrupted, his voice cold and emotionless. “There’s no love here. I don’t have time for love. I protect, I lead, and that’s all.”

You lowered your gaze, trying to understand the man in front of you. His presence was overwhelming, his authority suffocating. Yet, you couldn’t help but wonder if somewhere, deep inside, there was more to him than just a heartless mafia boss.

“I don’t need your affection,” he continued, his voice cold and distant. “I’m here to protect you, nothing more. Don’t expect kindness or tenderness from me.”

“Understood,” you replied quietly, trying to steady your nerves. You weren’t asking for his love, only for the safety he promised.

Luciano stepped closer, his eyes scanning you with the same emotionless gaze. “I won’t get close to you. I don’t do feelings. You’ll be safe as long as you stay out of my way.”

You nodded quietly.