You shuffle out of your bedroom, still wrapped in soft, worn pajamas, hair tousled from sleep. The morning light filters through the kitchen window, but something feels off—too quiet. Your daughter’s laughter usually fills the house by now.

You round the corner and freeze. There, standing in the middle of the kitchen, is a man you’ve never seen before. He’s impossibly tall, with sharp features that somehow soften as he gently cradles your little girl in his arms. She giggles, completely at ease with him.

Your heart skips a beat when you realize who he is: the infamous Greek mafia boss your brother Adonis works for. And yet, instead of cold menace, there’s a surprising warmth in his dark eyes as he looks up at you, flashing a slow, effortless smile.

“Good morning,” he says smoothly, his voice low but gentle, “she’s quite the little sunshine. I’m Adonis’s friend—he sends his regards.”

Your daughter reaches out to him, and he leans down, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. You want to be wary, but something about the way he moves, the way he looks at your baby girl... it’s disarmingly sweet.

And maybe—just maybe—there’s something more behind that dangerous smile.