Claimed by the Mafia Don-Chapter 57: Be The Best Man For You

STEFANO RUSSO’S (NERO’S) POV

Throughout the drive to the hotel, something kept pulling at my attention—and pissing me off. Damien, sitting in the front seat, wouldn’t stop glancing at Zoe through the rearview mirror. She was by the window, watching the city lights blur into streaks, completely unaware of him. But I saw it. I saw every single stolen glance.

And each one burned through me.

What the hell is he looking at?

My jaw clenched. I wasn’t usually jealous—not like this—but something about his eyes lingering on her made something violent coil in my chest. The possessive part of me—the mafia part I usually kept caged whenever I was with her—stirred.

Focus on the road or lose your eyes. Your choice, I thought darkly.

By the time we reached the hotel and checked into separate rooms, my mood had soured, but Zoe... she was out cold the second her head hit the pillow. I let her sleep while I worked on my laptop, though my focus kept drifting to her face. She’d been through too much; exhaustion had carved itself into her features.

She didn’t wake until past midnight. I caught the first slow stretch from the corner of my eye, then the soft sound of her yawning. I closed my laptop without thinking.

She sat up, her white hair a tangled curtain over one shoulder, half hiding her face as she rubbed her eyes like a sleepy child. I felt an unexpected warmth unfurl in my chest.

"Hey, you," I whispered, trying not to disturb the quiet that wrapped around the room.

She blinked at me, still dazed, and that gentle smile—God, that smile—pulled something loose inside me.

"Hey," she murmured between yawns.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better."

She looked around, confused by the darkness outside the windows. "Since when have I been asleep?"

I could’ve told her the truth, but the answer slipped out before I could stop it. "Two years."

She gave me a half-hearted glare. "Be serious."

I chuckled. "Five hours."

She stretched again, groaning under her breath. "Gosh. I’m so tired."

"I figured you would be, so I ordered dinner earlier," I said as I stood and walked toward the table. I lifted the cover. "It’s probably cold now though."

"Thanks," she whispered.

I carried the plate back to the bed and sat in front of her. She reached for the cutlery, but I moved it out of her grasp.

"Let me feed you," I said softly.

"I can feed myself," she argued, reaching again.

"I’m not asking for your permission," I replied simply.

She stared at me—amused, surprised, I couldn’t tell—but she eventually gave a tiny smile. "Fine."

So I fed her. Slowly. Carefully. Whenever she wanted water, I held the glass to her lips. And with each bite, something settled in me. Something softer. Lighter. Being able to care for her like this... it steadied me in a way I didn’t know I needed.

After a while, when she was sipping the last of her water, I cleared my throat quietly.

"I’ll be visiting your father today."

Her hand paused mid-movement. She looked up, eyes searching me, unreadable.

I continued gently, "Will you come with me?"

Her eyes widened—not with fear, but with something more hesitant. Vulnerability. Shock. Hope. She studied me, and for once, I let her. I didn’t rush her answer.

"Can I?" she finally whispered.

I shrugged lightly. "I don’t see why not."

What I didn’t say was that I needed her there. Without her, I wasn’t sure how much self-restraint I would have left when facing the man who’d shattered her this way like she meant nothing, who’d made me partly the man I was.

She looked away. "He probably wouldn’t want to see me."

Silence pressed down between us, heavier this time. Her eyes glistened, and I hated myself for being the one who dragged those memories back up.

"I’m not sure about that," I said quietly. "I know your father might be a culprit to you—"

"Not might," she cut in, voice trembling. "He is."

I exhaled softly and moved closer. "Maybe so. But he’s still your father. And I’m sure he misses you."

She didn’t argue—but she didn’t agree either. Her silence told me enough.

I lifted her chin gently. "Besides... what could go wrong? I’ll be with you." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Her eyes met mine. Steady. Searching.

"You trust me, right?"

She didn’t hesitate. "I do."

And God, I needed to hear that.

I brushed my thumb over her cheek. "Then trust me to protect you with my life."

Her lips curled into a small, soft smile. My chest tightened painfully. This woman... she was everything I didn’t know I needed.

"I cherish what we share, Zoe," I murmured, surprising even myself with how raw I sounded. I know that right now, I was not a mafia don, I was a man in love. I was going against every code of being a mafia even if I knew better how dangerous this was for a man, especially a mafia don. "No matter what, I’ll protect it. I may not be the best man out there. I may not be innocent. I may not be your type. But... give me the chance to be the best man for you."

Her breath hitched as I traced my finger across her lips. "I’m learning every day. For you. And I’ll spend the rest of my life getting it right."

She stared at me—really stared—like she was seeing every unspoken thing in me at once. Every broken piece, every sharp edge, every part I never let anyone else touch.

Silence settled between us as we stared at eachother. This must have been the longest statement I’ve ever said, and it must have been the most honest thing I’ve ever said. But I don’t regret any of it. I don’t regret being in love with Zoe, I don’t regret being vulnerable with her. I don’t regret giving myself to her and showing her my weak side. I don’t regret anything that involves her.

About being a good man, that was a promise for her. A promise I swore to keep. I may really not be the best man out there, but for her, I’ll be anything. For Zoe, I’ll be anyone. I didn’t care anymore, and I promise to protect her with the last drop of my blood.

She leaned in and kissed me. Soft. Brief. Shy. When she pulled back, her cheeks were warm.

"I don’t doubt your love for me," she whispered. "We didn’t meet under the best circumstances, but I do love you, Nero. With everything in me. And just like you promised to be the best man for me, I’ll be the best woman for you."

My control snapped clean in half. I stared at her, my eyes searching, and then landing on her lips.

"I badly want to kiss you now," I admitted softly in a deep husky voice.

"I badly want you to," she breathed shyly.

That was all the permission I needed.

I leaned in and kissed her—slowly, deeply—letting the weight of everything we weren’t saying move between us. Then I pulled back just enough to breathe against her lips.

"I want to see you naked, Zoe," I whispered, voice rough.

She flushed instantly, but I didn’t give her time to hide it. I kissed along her jaw, down her neck, letting my mouth explore the soft places that made her gasp. Her fingers slipped around the back of my neck, and I smiled against her skin.

Her reactions—God, they undid me.

Soon, the room melted away, and the only thing that existed was the heat rising between us, slow and consuming.