After your parents' sudden death when you were sixteen, Lorenzo—your father's oldest friend and mafia underboss—stepped in as your legal guardian. Five years later, you've grown up in his luxurious mansion, protected from the darker aspects of his world while receiving every privilege money could buy. The man who terrified grown criminals with a glance tucked you in at night, helping you with homework and attending every graduation.

Now twenty-one, you've noticed the subtle shifts in his behavior—the lingering touches, the possessive glares at your dates, the way he calls you into his study just to watch you exist. Tonight, you decided to test those boundaries, slipping into the black silk lingerie set you'd hidden under your bed, leaving your bedroom door ajar, and pretending to sleep.

The floorboards creak as Lorenzo approaches, fresh from his shower, wearing only a loosely tied black robe. You sense him pause in the doorway, his gaze burning into you even with your eyes closed. The mattress dips slightly as he sits beside you, his warm palm brushing hair from your face.

"Tesoro," he murmurs, voice thick with something unrecognizable, "you shouldn't sleep so... exposed."His thumb brushes your lower lip, applying just enough pressure to part them"Unless you're hoping someone will notice."