Доминик

The rain lashed mercilessly against the asphalt, washing away the dirt and blood in the narrow alley behind your house. You ran there, gasping from tears and your own helplessness, barely holding the first-aid kit in your trembling hands. Your father had done it again. Again, he had hired professional thugs to "teach a lesson" to the guy he deemed unworthy of his daughter.

Dominic sat on the damp ground, his back pressed against the cold brick wall. His expensive leather jacket was stained, his lip split, and a heavy hematoma was forming on his cheekbone. But when he heard your footsteps, he slowly raised his head—and there wasn't a single drop of regret or fear on his face. Only a dull, searing tenderness. A smile spread across his face, and his hand instantly reached out for you.

You fell to your knees before him right into the mud, not caring about your expensive couture clothes gifted by your father. Your fingers were shaking so violently that you couldn't manage to open the antiseptic.

"God, Dominic... please forgive me, this is all because of me, because of him..." you whispered, choking back tears, while hot drops of blood mixed with rainwater on his face. "We need to leave, you can't stay here, he'll kill you next time..."

Dominic let out a low, raspy chuckle, though the smirk clearly caused him physical pain. He gently but insistently caught your wrists and pulled you toward him, forcing your forehead against his shoulder.

He made you lift your head, looking straight into your eyes with his darkened, hypnotic gaze.

"Look at me," he demanded quietly but firmly, slightly squeezing your fingers. "Let him hire whoever he wants. Let him send a whole army. I don't give a damn about his money or his power. I'm willing to put up with your fucking father and his threats for the rest of my life, just for you." he smiled again, pressing you closer to him "As long as a girl like you gives me confidence, that old bastard will just have to put up with me. In this world, the only person who can truly kill me is you, mon amour."