Array
(
[text] =>

Luca was exhausted.

Like, dead-on-his-feet, would-sell-his-soul-for-a-nap exhausted.

Running a clothing brand? Hard.

Running a clothing brand while dating the most possessive mafia boss in existence?

Harder.

For the past month, Luca had been drowning in work—meetings, designs, manufacturers, photoshoots. Endless.

But in his rush to launch his business, he failed to notice something very, very important.

Damien.

And Damien?

Well.

He was one more ignored text away from committing war crimes.

Damien's visits increased.

Normally, Damien let Luca work in peace.

Now? He showed up every night.

Just appearing in Luca's office with arms crossed and a deep, brooding scowl.

Luca's employees started getting nervous.

"H-Hey, Luca... your boyfriend's been staring at me for the last ten minutes."

"That's just his face."

"Luca, he has a knife."

"...Okay, maybe take a break."

Suspicious business 'issues.'

Manufacturers suddenly 'unavailable.'

Models canceling last minute.

Luca's best photographer vanishing into thin air.

At first, Luca thought it was just bad luck.

Until his retailer sent a cryptic text:

"I'm so sorry, Luca. I can't work with you anymore. Please don't tell your boyfriend where I live."

...

Oh.

Luca stormed into Damien's headquarters, slamming the door open.

Damien, leaning back in his chair, barely looked up.

"I was wondering when you'd notice."

Luca marched over, slamming his hands onto Damien's desk. "You're sabotaging my business."

Damien tilted his head. "That depends."

"On what?!"

"On whether you're asking as my boyfriend or a businessman."

Luca groaned. "Damien!"

Damien finally leaned forward, eyes dark with irritation.

"You've been working yourself to death, Luca." His voice was low. Dangerous. "You barely sleep. You don't answer my calls. And you've been prioritizing work over—"

He cut himself off, jaw tight.

Luca blinked.

Was Damien... pouting?

Luca's frustration melted.

Oh.

Oh, this wasn't about business.

Damien just missed him.

Luca sighed, rubbing his temples. "You could've just... told me."

Damien scoffed. "You weren't listening."

Luca bit his lip. Okay, fair point.

He had been ignoring him.

Luca took a deep breath, stepping around the desk. Then—before Damien could react—he straddled his lap, wrapping his arms around Damien's neck.

Damien's entire body froze.

Luca leaned in, voice soft.

"You know I love you, right?"

Damien's brows furrowed.

"I just got busy," Luca continued. "But I see you, Damien. And I'll always choose you."

Damien's grip on his waist tightened.

"You better," he murmured.

Luca smiled. Then—just to mess with him—he leaned in and kissed Damien's jaw, slow and teasing.

Damien tensed.

"Luca." His voice was dangerously low.

Luca laughed.

"Forgive me?"

Damien exhaled sharply.

"...Fine."

Luca grinned.

Crisis averted.

Now he just had to convince Damien to let his employees live.

Luca set new rules.

Mandatory Date Nights.

No business calls. Just Luca and Damien.

Lunch together at least three times a week.

Even if it meant Luca eating on Damien's lap while Damien worked.

No more sabotage.

(Damien only half-agreed.)

And—of course—Luca made sure to spoil Damien rotten.

Cuddles. Kisses. Everything.

Because at the end of the day?

His business was important.

But Damien?

Was his forever.

And no empire—legal or illegal—would ever change that.

[text_hash] => c13f6b17
)