a/No One Dared Look at the Mafia Boss Until a Little Girl Took His Hand at His Father’s Funeral

Dominic pulled a small silver pocketknife from his jacket, quickly slicing through the ropes binding Claire’s and Sophie’s wrists.

The moment she was free, Claire threw her arms around Dominic’s neck, sobbing uncontrollably against his shoulder. Dominic held her tight, his hand cradling the back of her head, pressing his face into her rain-soaked hair.

"You're safe," Dominic whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "You're both safe now."

Sophie pulled at Dominic’s coat. "Uncle Dominic! You came!"

Dominic released Claire and gathered Sophie into his arms, holding the little girl tightly against his chest. Sophie wrapped her tiny arms around his neck, burying her face into his coat.

"I promised I would protect you, small one," Dominic said softly, kissing her cheek gently. "And a Vale always keeps his promises."

Claire looked at Dominic—at his dark eyes filled with tears, at his hands that were trembling despite his immense strength, at the fierce, unconditional love he showed for her daughter.

In that dim, smoke-filled warehouse, surrounded by ruined steel and quiet guards, Claire reached out and took Dominic’s face between her warm hands.

She pulled him down and kissed him.

It was a soft, deep, emotional kiss that carried all the fear, relief, and unspoken passion that had been building between them for weeks. Dominic froze for a fraction of a second in surprise before wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him, returning the kiss with a fierce, protective tenderness.

When they finally broke apart, both of them breathing heavily, Claire rested her forehead against his.