The Mafia boss had watched trained soldiers freeze in fear when Phantom bared his teeth, yet on the coldest night of the year, a homeless little girl walked directly into the dog’s killing zone without fear, leaned closer to his massive head, and whispered a single word that nobody in the courtyard could understand.

Three months later, the winter frost had melted away, giving way to the soft, vibrant green of spring across Holden Cross's eighteen-acre estate.

Inside the mansion's massive study, Holden sat behind his mahogany desk, reviewing financial reports with the quiet, unyielding focus that had built his empire. But the room was different now. In the corner, where a stiff leather visitor's chair used to sit, there was a plush, oversized rug. And sprawled across that rug, snoring softly in the warm afternoon sun, was a hundred-thirty-pound Cane Corso.

Outside, through the tall glass windows overlooking the eastern courtyard, the iron gates stood wide open.

There were no guards patrolling the perimeter of the courtyard anymore. There was no need. Sitting in the center of the manicured lawn, weaving daisies into a makeshift crown, was a little girl in a bright yellow dress that actually fit her properly. Beside her, acting as a living cushion and an unyielding shield against the rest of the world, lay Titan.

Marcus knocked twice on the open study door before stepping inside, holding a stack of freshly printed logistics manifests.

"Boss, the shipment from the western docks cleared customs without a hitch. The Moretti family officially signed over their shares of the industrial sector this morning. The city is completely ours."

Holden didn't look up from his papers immediately. He signed his name with a fluid stroke of his fountain pen, closed the folder, and leaned back in his leather chair. He looked out the window, watching the girl laugh as the massive dog gently nudged her shoulder with his wet nose, causing her to tumble playfully onto the grass.

"Good," Holden said, a subtle, satisfied smile touching the corners of his mouth. "Send word to the council. Make sure everyone in the underground knows the new rule."

Marcus raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "And what's the rule, Boss?"