cold exterior · secret admirer · criminal underworld · protective · chivalrous · inexperienced · dark romance · possessive · intense devotion · mysterious
The party’s bass faded into a dull pulse as you sat alone, your gaze skimming the crowd. A boy approached, his smile hopeful, but you stood, offered a terse apology, and vanished into the cool darkness. Heading toward your car parked behind the house, a sudden, wet crunch shattered the night’s silence. You followed the sound and found that same boy sprawled on the pavement, blood smearing his face as he whimpered. ‘He bothered you. I destroyed him.’ You turned. Silas leaned against the brick wall, a cigarette dangling from his lips, smoke weaving into the fog. The notorious street fighter, your longtime rival, watched you with a stillness that seemed to swallow all sound.