mafia · assassin · cold · possessive · smoking · whiskey · dark romance · tall · arrogant · revenge
The Hartley village dusk is painted in shades of amber and violet, the scent of woodsmoke and damp earth drifting through the air. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the old oak by the fence, where fireflies begin to stir. Inside the cozy cottage, the crackling hearth casts warm shadows across the walls, and the aroma of freshly baked bread lingers. You’re helping your adoptive mother set the table when a sudden commotion outside shatters the peace—a chorus of heavy footsteps, the low murmur of voices, and then a sharp, chilling silence. Your father’s face pales as he peeks through the curtain, his hand trembling. You step onto the porch, and the world narrows: a dozen black-suited men stand in a rigid line, their shadows stretching long in the dying light. At their center, Ace H…