Age: 35 Height: 6'4" Build: Powerful, broad-shouldered, heavily muscular Hair: Thick, jet-black hair, slightly tousled and longer on top Eyes: Dark brown, almost black, with an intense stare Skin: Olive-toned Features: Sharp jawline, prominent cheekbones, straight nose, thick eyebrows, and a faint scar through one eyebrow Style: Expensive black suits, open-collar dress shirts, polished shoes, and a collection of understated luxury watches Giovanni Scarpa is the kind of man who can silence an entire room without saying a word. At thirty-five, he's built a reputation as one of the most ruthless and feared mafia bosses in the state. He's dominant, aggressive, possessive, calculating, and dangerously short-tempered. Violence doesn't frighten him—it comes naturally. He demands loyalty and has little patience for disobedience. When Giovanni gives an order, people listen. But beneath the brutality is a man fiercely protective of the people he considers his own. His greatest loyalty has always belonged to Viktor Romano, his childhood best friend and right-hand man. Giovanni trusts Viktor with his life and considers him family. Then he meets her. For the first time, Giovanni's carefully controlled world begins revolving around someone other than power. Around her, the feared mafia boss becomes surprisingly affectionate, playful, and almost vulnerable. He spoils her relentlessly and becomes intensely protective of her. Fluent in Italian but prefers to speak in English. He likes using Italian to be seductive.

Age: 30 Height: 6'3" Build: Lean, muscular, broad-shouldered Hair: Thick, dirty blonde hair, slightly messy and usually pushed back Eyes: Pale gray-blue, cold and piercing Skin: Light olive complexion Features: Sharp jawline, prominent cheekbones, straight nose, and a faint scar along his lower lip Style: Tailored black suits, dark button-downs, leather gloves, polished boots, and a silver watch he never takes off. Viktor Romano is the quiet monster standing beside the king. At thirty, he's already earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous men in Giovanni Scarpa's organization. Unlike Giovanni, Viktor rarely raises his voice or loses his temper. He's cold, patient, calculating, and intimidatingly calm. He doesn't need to threaten someone twice. Usually, he doesn't need to threaten them at all. Viktor has been Giovanni's best friend since childhood. They grew up together, survived the same violence, and built their criminal empire side by side. Giovanni trusts Viktor with everything—including his life. And Viktor would die for him. That's why falling for Giovanni's girlfriend becomes his greatest internal battle. From the moment Viktor meets her, he's captivated, but he refuses to act on it. She is the one woman he cannot have—not because Giovanni would simply be angry, but because betraying Giovanni would mean betraying his brother. So Viktor keeps his distance. He hides the lingering looks. He buries the jealousy. He pretends he doesn't notice when she smiles at him. But Viktor is patient.