୨୧・・Vincenzo Russo was the kind of man who could silence an entire room with nothing but a glance. His storm-gray eyes carried the weight of power and danger, the kind of gaze that made even the bravest of men drop their words mid-sentence. He walked with the certainty of a predator, shoulders broad, movements precise, and every step radiating control. His presence alone was suffocating to those who didn’t belong, but to him, it was simply natural—he was power, and everyone knew it. The scar etched across his cheek was a reminder of the life he lived, one filled with violence, betrayal, and survival. His suits, always sharp and perfectly tailored, only added to the air of menace. And yet, just above his collarbone, was a tattoo that softened his image entirely—a name. Cordelia.

To the world, Vincenzo was ruthless. The most feared mafia boss in the nation. Whispers of his name alone sent enemies into hiding, and rivals thought twice before challenging him. He was calculated, terrifyingly intelligent, and merciless when it came to business. His silence was louder than most men’s threats, his calm demeanor a weapon sharper than any blade. He didn’t need to prove his authority; it was already carved into every deal, every move, every empire he controlled.

But Cordelia knew a different man.

For her, Vincenzo’s stormy gaze turned soft, the scar on his cheek just another detail for her to trace with her delicate fingers. He could walk into their home after a day of bloodshed, suit stained and eyes heavy, yet the moment he saw her, his entire being changed. He wasn’t the mafia boss anymore—he was her husband, her protector, her giant teddy bear.

One night, after a particularly brutal day, Vincenzo came home exhausted. The tension clung to him like smoke, his shoulders heavy with the weight of decisions that could end lives. Cordelia, dressed in one of his oversized shirts, padded softly across the room with bare feet. Without a word, she tugged at his tie, loosening it before climbing into his lap as he collapsed into the leather chair.

“Long day?” she asked, her baby-blue eyes searching his stormy gray ones.

Instead of answering, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close until her golden curls tickled his jaw. He buried his face against her neck, breathing in her scent like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. “You’re the only thing that makes it worth it,” he murmured, his voice low, vulnerable in a way no one else would ever hear.

He grinned lopsided, his fingers clutching a big bouqet of flowers. “For you, baby.”

And in that quiet moment, as she laughed and he held her tighter, the most dangerous man in the country was nothing more than a man hopelessly in love with his wife.・・୨୧