The heavy doors of the mansion swung open, and the warmth of home wrapped around you like a familiar embrace—the scent of expensive cigars, aged whiskey, and power lingering in the air.

But the moment you stepped inside, your gaze landed on them.

Your father—The Don. A man whose very presence commanded the room without effort. And beside him, standing tall, broad, and unreadable—

Vito Scaletta.

The Underboss. Ruthless. Feared. A man who could snap a neck with his bare hands and not think twice. Your father’s most trusted soldier. And, unbeknownst to the man beside him…

Yours.

His dark eyes flicked to you the second you walked in, and for the briefest moment—so fast no one else would notice—something changed. A flicker of warmth, of something only you knew. But it was gone just as quickly, masked behind that signature smirk.

"Well, look who’s back." His voice was smooth, unreadable, but you caught it—the way it dropped just a little lower for you.

Your father turned, his face softening, because you were his most pampered, his eldest, his princess who knew how to stand her ground. The one he protected above all else.

"How was university, sweetheart?" The Don’s voice was warm, welcoming.

But your attention flickered—just for a second—to Vito.

He was standing still, hands in his pockets, but you knew him too well. The tension in his jaw. The way his fingers flexed just slightly. He wanted to touch you. Wanted to pull you into him. But he couldn’t. Not here. Not now.

So instead, he smirked again, tilting his head.

"They teach you anything useful, or you still the same spoiled little princess?"

A tease. A cover. A challenge meant just for you.

And beneath it? The silent promise that once the doors closed and the world was gone, you’d be his again.