612 I Rescued the Mafia Boss’s Blind Cane Corso. I Never Expected Him to Say, “Be My Wife.”

By dawn, the snowstorm had settled into a thick blanket of white covering the county roads. True to his word, Enzo had stationed two black sedans outside the clinic driveway.

Inside, Orion’s condition had finally stabilized. His breathing was deeper, his body temperature back to normal, and though his sight was permanently gone, his incredible instincts were returning.

Iris knelt beside his padded bed on the floor, gently applying a cooling burn ointment to his flanks. The massive dog rested his heavy chin on her lap, leaning his weight against her with complete, gentle trust.

"He doesn't like many people," Enzo’s voice came from the doorway.

Iris looked up. Enzo had stayed the entire night. He had poured himself a cup of black coffee from her small breakroom and was standing quietly, watching her work.

"Dogs know who people are before people do," Iris said softly, stroking Orion’s soft ears. "He knows I'm trying to help. He also knows you love him."

Enzo walked over and knelt beside her on the floor, unbothered by the dust or dog hair on his tailored pants. He reached out and gently laid his hand on Orion’s back. The dog let out a soft, contented sigh.

"Orion belonged to my late wife, Sofia," Enzo said quietly, his voice carrying a rare, vulnerable weight. "When she passed four years ago, this dog became my last physical link to her. Three days ago, he vanished from my estate inside a secured compound. My security team claimed he slipped through an unlocked gate."

Iris looked at Enzo sharply. "A blind dog doesn't slip through a secured compound gate unnoticed, Mr. Valenti."

"No," Enzo agreed, his jaw tightening. "He was taken by someone inside my house. Someone who wanted to hurt me where it hurts most."

Before Iris could process his words, the clinic's heavy glass door opened with a chiming bell.

Julian walked in, holding a leather briefcase. His expression was tight, his dark eyes flickering nervously between Enzo and Iris.

"Uncle," Julian said, stepping into the treatment room. "The board meeting at the harbor office is set for ten o'clock. Don Moretti’s representatives are demanding your presence to sign the new shipping territory deeds."

Enzo stood up slowly, dusting off his knees. "Tell them I will be there."

Julian glanced down at Orion, then at Iris, a sickening smirk touching his lips. "And what about the dog, Uncle? Are we bringing him back to the estate, or leaving him here with the pretty vet?"

"Orion stays here until Dr. Cantrell clears him for transport," Enzo said firmly.

Julian’s smirk vanished. "Uncle, leaving high-value assets with an outsider—"

"Dr. Cantrell is not an outsider," Enzo interrupted, his voice dropping into a terrifyingly authoritative register that made even the air in the room feel heavy. "She saved what you and your security detail failed to protect. Speak to her with respect, Julian, or do not speak at all."