Page 54 of Mafia Daddy

Instead, Maxim lowers himself onto the rug beside me, long legs stretching out. His hand comes to rest gently on my back, rubbing slow circles.

“You look peaceful,” he says, voice low and warm. “I’m glad.”

I swallow, searching his face. “You’re… not mad anymore?”

Maxim shakes his head. “I was never mad. But I have responsibilities. As Pakhan, I have a duty to my family. I’m grateful you chose to tell me the truth. It took courage. And the truth is, a part of me always suspected Paolo’s truce wasn’t fully legitimate in its intentions. Men like him don’t make deals without multiple exit strategies and ulterior motives.”

Maxim’s words settle over me like a balm. I lean into his touch, letting some of the tension melt from my shoulders.

“What will happen to me if you and Paolo go to war?” I ask quietly, almost afraid of the answer.

Maxim pulls me closer until I’m half in his lap. He sits with his back against the couch, one arm wrapped securely around my waist.

“You are mine now, Milo. You belong with me. That doesn’t change, no matter what happens between our families.”

A warm glow spreads through my chest at his words. Mine. The possessiveness should scare me, but instead it makes me feel anchored. Wanted. Safe in a way I’ve never been before. But then reality crashes back in.

“Paolo is still my uncle,” I whisper, conflicted. “He’s family.”

Maxim’s hand strokes my hair. “I know. And that makes this difficult for you. But if war comes, I will have no choice but to kill him. Business is business. Blood feuds don’t spare anyone, not even family. You need to understand that. And I’m sure you know that is true deep down too.”

I nod slowly, even as my stomach twists.

Part of me wants to argue, to beg for another way. But another part—the part that has seen how this world really works—knows he’s telling the truth.

I rest my head against his chest and breathe him in, letting the steady beat of his heart calm me.

“I understand,” I say softly. Internally, the conflict still rages, but for now I push it down. There’s nothing I can do about it tonight. “I really do understand.”

Maxim kisses the top of my head. “It’s time for bed. Let me bathe you first. I want you nice and warm before a good night’s rest.”

I sigh in a breezy relaxation as Maxim stands and scoops me up effortlessly, carrying me toward his master bathroom. I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling small and cared for.

The huge soaking tub is already filling with steaming water when we arrive. Maxim adds bubbles and a few rubber ducks from a basket I didn’t even know existed, bright yellow ones with little crowns.

The sight makes me giggle despite everything.

He undresses me slowly, reverently, then lowers me into the warm water. I moan lightly as the heat envelops me, bubbles tickling my skin.

Maxim rolls up his sleeves and kneels beside the tub. He washes me with gentle hands, soaping my arms, my back, my legs. When he reaches my shoulders, he begins a slow, thorough massage, thumbs working out the knots I didn’t even realize were there.

I moan softly, melting under his touch. “That feels so good, Daddy…”

“You carried a lot of tension today,” Maxim murmurs. One of the rubber ducks floats past my cock and he flicks the duck away playfully, making me laugh. “Let me take care of you.”

The tenderness after the intensity of the interrogation is overwhelming. Tears prick my eyes, but they’re happy ones. I lean back against the edge of the tub as Maxim continues the massage, his strong hands working magic on my neck and shoulders.

The bubbles smell like vanilla and lavender.

The rubber ducks bob cheerfully around me.

For a little while, the outside world… the cartel, the truce, the threat of war… it all feels very far away.

When I’m thoroughly relaxed and pink from the heat, Maxim helps me out, wraps me in a huge fluffy towel, and carries me to his bed. He tucks me in, then slides in beside me, pulling me close.

“Thank you,” I whisper, nuzzling into his chest. The words feel right. Important. “Thank you, Daddy.”

Maxim’s arms tighten around me. I can feel his smile against my hair.