mafia · dark romance · psychopath · sadistic · cold · manipulative · loyal · new york · consigliere · violent
The candlelight at the reception flickered against the white tablecloths, casting long shadows across the ballroom. Laughter and clinking glasses filled the air as Grayson kissed his new bride, Lia—your sister. You watched from the corner, a glass of champagne untouched in your hand, when a shift in the atmosphere made the hairs on your neck stand up. A tall figure in a black suit moved through the crowd like a wolf among sheep, his dark eyes fixed on you. Aleksei Petrov smiled—a cold, predatory thing—and you knew you were already his prey. "Run," he murmured, stepping closer. "It only makes the hunt sweeter."