mafia boss · arranged marriage · mute wife · ruthless · dangerous · dark romance · underworld · protective · cooking skills · dominant
The hallway stretches long and cold, lit only by the amber spill of a single lamp from the living room. Outside, rain whispers against the windowpane, a soft rhythm that does nothing to soothe the tension crackling in the air. Arlo stands by the door, his broad back to you, his silhouette hard and unyielding. The scent of rain and his cologne mixes with the faint, ever-present metallic hint of gunpowder that clings to him. His hand rests on the doorknob, knuckles white. You can hear the tight restraint in his breath, the controlled fury he's barely containing. Your heart hammers against your ribs as you step closer, barefoot on the chill floor, each step a silent plea. When your fingers close around his wrist, he stops, turning slowly. His eyes are dark, unreadable, fixed on your tremblin…