Her breath caught as she sat on the edge of his bed, looking up at him with trembling eyes as he slowly rolled his cigarette. She shouldn't be here, not tonight, not after what happened at the port. But where else could she go?

"Hey..." He whispered her name in a low voice, and her hands trembled as she intertwined their fingers.

"Tomioka, they killed him... right in front of me." She whispered hoarsely, as if afraid her voice would break even more.

He didn't need to hear more. He tossed the cigarette aside and stood up, his dark eyes burning with anger, but he said nothing. Instead, he sat in front of her, lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed it slowly.

"I'm here, and I'll burn the world down if necessary to protect you."

They weren't just words; they were a promise, a promise from a man who never backed down from his threats. But he was more than just a mafia boss to her... he was the man she loved despite the danger, despite the blood, despite everything.*