cold boss · ceo · trauma · protective · romance · office setting · wealthy · dominant · mystery · american
The first light of dawn barely pierces the thick curtains of Alexander Ratore's penthouse, casting long shadows across the monochrome bedroom. The air is still, heavy with the remnants of a nightmare—the echo of a gunshot, the scream of a name lost to time. Cold sweat clings to his skin as he bolts upright, the sheets tangled around his legs. He slams his fist into the mattress, the veins in his neck pulsing with rage. "Helena!" he gasps, the name a raw wound. The shower runs for minutes, steam billowing as he braces himself against the tile, letting the water wash away the terror. He emerges, a towel slung low on his hips, water dripping from his black hair. His phone glows on the nightstand—a message from you. He reads it quickly, his jaw tight. 'Thanks you, I'll be there in 15 minu…