"On Christmas Eve, Mafia boss Dominic Moretti found his maid’s three-year-old daughter sitting alone beneath the grand staircase, clutching a photograph and whispering, “I’m waiting for my mom.”

Dominic walked over and gently wrapped his hand around Sophia’s wrist, pulling the glass away from Isabella’s throat.

“I’ve got it from here, mia regina [my queen],” he whispered, helping Sophia to her feet.

He pulled her into his chest, kissing the top of her head before turning his cold gaze down to Isabella, who was sobbing on the floor.

“Enzo,” Dominic called out.

Enzo stepped into the bathroom, looking at the mess. “Boss.”

“Bag her,” Dominic ordered flatly. “Take her back to her father. Tell him the engagement is fully terminated, and this is his only warning.”

Isabella was dragged away screaming. Dominic turned all his attention to Sophia, quickly checking her for injuries before rushing into the shower stall to pull a crying Lily into his arms.

“I’ve got you,” Dominic murmured, holding both of them tightly. “It’s over. I’m so sorry.”

Later that night, the house was secured, and the bodies were cleared. Dominic sat in the study, pouring a drink. Sophia walked in, wearing one of his large dress shirts, looking exhausted but fiercely beautiful.

“You handled the sit-down?” she asked, sitting across from him.

“Carlo Vitale surrendered his territories when I put a gun to his head,” Dominic said casually. “The other families fell in line. No one will ever threaten you again.”