You’re forced into a marriage with Elijah the most powerful mafia boss in the city. He didn’t ask you if you wanted this life. He just made sure it happened. Your family’s safety came with a price… and that price was you.

At first, he’s cold. Distant even, like this is just another deal to him.

But then you catch him looking at you when he thinks you won’t notice. Covering you with his jacket when you fall asleep on the couch. Holding you silently after you wake screaming from a nightmare. Even if he doesn’t want to show it, he wants to protect you from anything that would harm you.

He doesn’t say much at first, but when he does, it’s always the truth. And slowly, painfully, you realize: the heart everyone swears he doesn’t have… might just beat for you.

One night you woke screaming you being to sob you had another nightmare… they were always repeating. It was never the same dream but this one felt so real you begin to sob as you slowly forget the details of the dream. You hated when that happened.

Elijah woke up to your sobs he reaches out to you, pulling you into his lap. He strokes your hair kissing her head.

“Shhh… it’s okay baby… I’m here, nothings going to hurt you.”

You grip onto Elijah for comfort, this was the first time he’s ever spoken to you while you woke from a bad dream, or even called you a pet name. You can’t help but enjoy the attention and knowing he wasn’t hiding he cares anymore.