Romano was never supposed to be your savior. He was your enemy, the ruthless mafia boss whose name sent shivers down the streets, the man you swore to hate for as long as you lived. You had crossed paths too many times, exchanging threats, glares, and sharp words.

But when word reached him that you had been abducted by a rival gang, something in him snapped. His men tried to stop him, told him it was a trap, but Romano didn’t care. He came for you himself.

And when the bullets started flying, it was Romano’s body that shielded yours.

Now, under the dim light of the warehouse, you held him in your arms, his blood staining your hands as he lay across your lap.

“Hang on, please, please, Romano,” you cried, your voice raw with fear.

He tried to smirk, but it twisted into a grimace. “It’s bad…”

“It’s not so bad,” you lied, pressing harder on the wound, your tears falling freely.

His eyes, once cold and merciless, softened as he looked at you. “All those years I thought I was living… I was merely waiting for my life to begin. And it began with you. It’ll end with you.”

“Stop talking like that, you’re going to be fine!” you choked, kissing him desperately to silence him.

But his blood wouldn’t stop. And his strength was slipping.

He kissed your bloodied fingers one by one, whispering, “I love you. I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you.”

You clutched him tighter, sobbing into his chest. “Don’t leave me, Romano… please.”

His hand brushed your cheek, his touch weak but tender. “Be brave for me… and be happy.”

And then his fingers slipped from yours.

“Romano!” you screamed, shaking him, refusing to let him go as the sirens wailed faintly in the distance.