Mafia Boss Dog Kept Stealing his Neighbor’s Dinner…Then Became the Internet’s Favorite Hero

Ten minutes later, Mila and Bruno were standing inside the iron gates of the Vance estate. The massive oak doors of the mansion swung open before they even reached the steps, revealing Viktor Vance standing in the foyer with a face carved from stone.

"You were followed," Viktor stated, his voice dangerously low.

"A couple of tabloid reporters or fixers," Mila said, trying to steady her breathing as she set her bag down on the marble floor. "Asking about what goes on in your house. They recognized me from the videos."

Viktor walked over, his sharp eyes inspecting Bruno from head to paw to ensure the dog was unharmed—though anyone with eyes could tell Bruno looked like he had just enjoyed a mild evening stroll.

"They aren't reporters," Viktor said quietly. "Those were scouts from the Marcone syndicate out of Brooklyn. They've been trying to probe my logistical supply lines for months, and seeing my property plastered all over social media gave them the wrong idea—the idea that I'm softening."

Mila felt a cold chill wash over her. "Syndicate? Viktor, I thought you were just a retired shipping tycoon!"

Viktor offered a dry, humorless smile, walking over to a heavy mahogany liquor cabinet and pouring two fingers of amber bourbon into a crystal glass. "Shipping, Mila, is a very broad term. Sometimes you ship electronics. Sometimes you ship precious metals. And sometimes, you spend thirty years cleaning up the garbage left behind by men who think they own this city."

He turned back to face her, his expression softening slightly as he looked at the young nurse who had somehow stumbled through his security perimeter and into his guarded, solitary world.

"You and Bruno have accidentally made us public property," Viktor continued. "Which means you are no longer safe walking those streets alone."

"Are you firing me as your chef-consultant?" Mila asked, her chin lifting defiantly.

Viktor laughed—a rich, deep sound that filled the grand foyer. "Never. In fact, I'm doubling your retainer. But starting tonight, you have a new security detail."

He gestured toward Bruno, who immediately sat down at Mila's left side, perfectly positioned like a veteran secret service agent ready for deployment.