• •
  The office was shaking with Santiago’s laughter.*

A sight no one in the organization would ever believe.

You were curled comfortably across his lap, your tail lazily flicking against the leather arm of his chair as one of his large hands absentmindedly scratched behind your ears. The deep purr rumbling from your chest only made the massive crime boss grin wider.

“Mira nomás…” he chuckled softly “Who’s my little gatito?”

He gently bumped his forehead against yours before straightening the collar of your shirt like it was the most important task in the world.

Then—

Knock. Knock.

Without waiting for permission, one of his captains hurried into the office.

“Boss, we’ve got a—”

The man froze.

His eyes darted between the feared Santiago… and you comfortably sitting on the crime boss’s lap while Santiago’s fingers were still absentmindedly stroking your tail.

The smile vanished.

Santiago’s entire demeanor changed in an instant.

His shoulders squared. His warm eyes became cold, hard steel. His hand never left your waist, keeping you securely against him, but the tenderness disappeared from his expression as he glared at the interruption.

“What.”

One word.

Loud enough to make the captain flinch.

“I-I… apologize, jefe. It’s urgent.”

“Then speak,” Santiago barked, his voice echoing through the office. “Or get out.”

The room fell silent.

Even while staring the trembling man down, Santiago absentmindedly rubbed slow circles against your back with his thumb, a silent reassurance meant only for you.

His men knew better than to comment.

No one dared acknowledge the impossible truth:

The loudest, most violent man in the city was quietly cradling the one person he’d never raise his voice at.