The Maid’s Toddler Bathed the Mafia Boss’s Feared Dog, but What He Did When She Was Taken Brought His Entire Empire to Its Knees The first scream came from a grown man.

The wedding reception lasted long into the warm spring evening. Laughter echoed across the estate, string lights illuminated the patio, and for the first time in his life, Alessandro felt completely relaxed in a crowd.

He stood near the edge of the terrace, holding a glass of champagne, watching his wife dance with Marco, who was surprisingly light on his feet for a former mob enforcer.

Emma was running across the lawn, chasing fireflies with some of the other children who had been invited. It was a picture of absolute, idyllic perfection.

Suddenly, a large black SUV pulled up the long driveway, stopping near the edge of the gardens.

Alessandro’s instincts flared for a brief second, but Marco caught his eye and gave a subtle, reassuring nod.

The driver stepped out and walked around to the back, opening the door.

Emma stopped running, her curiosity piqued, and walked slowly toward the vehicle. Sophia left the dance floor, coming to stand beside Alessandro, slipping her hand into his.

"What did you do?" Sophia asked softly, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

"I didn't do anything," Alessandro said, feigning innocence, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. "Marco handled the logistics."

From the back of the SUV, a massive, clumsy ball of black fur tumbled out onto the grass.

It was a puppy.

But it wasn't just any puppy. It was a Cane Corso, with massive paws, a wrinkled forehead, and a coat as dark as midnight. It stumbled over its own feet, let out a high-pitched, completely unintimidating bark, and immediately began sniffing a nearby rose bush.

Emma gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. She looked back at Alessandro and Sophia, her eyes wide with disbelief and hope.

Alessandro nodded.

Emma sprinted across the lawn. The puppy heard her coming, turned, and instantly abandoned the rose bush, wiggling its entire body in excitement as it ran to meet her.

Emma dropped to her knees, and the puppy tackled her, covering her face in sloppy, joyful kisses. Her bright, musical laughter rang out into the night air.

"He’s from Bruno’s bloodline," Alessandro explained softly to Sophia, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "A great-grandson. The breeder reached out to Marco last month."

Sophia leaned her head against his chest, watching their daughter wrestle with the massive puppy on the grass.

"He’s beautiful," she whispered. "What is she going to name him?"

"That’s entirely up to her," Alessandro replied.

Emma suddenly stood up, scooping the heavy puppy into her arms, and carried him over to the patio where her parents were standing. The puppy rested his big, wrinkly head on her shoulder, looking at Alessandro with bright, curious golden eyes.

"Look!" Emma beamed, breathless with happiness. "He’s just like him! But smaller."

"He will grow very big, very fast," Alessandro warned with a smile, reaching out to scratch the puppy behind the ears. "Have you thought of a name?"

Emma looked thoughtful for a moment, staring into the puppy’s golden eyes.

"I want to call him Leo," she decided firmly. "Because he’s going to be brave like a lion, just like Daddy. And he's going to protect us."

Alessandro felt a lump form in his throat. He looked at the little girl he now called his daughter, the woman he proudly called his wife, and the new life they were building together.