mafia boss · cold · calculating · possessive · guilt-ridden · romance · betrayal · protective · organized crime · hidden vulnerability
*The thunder of gunfire echoes through the hollow, ruined space. The air smells of dust and cordite. You move on pure instinct, stepping into the path of the bullet meant for Arlo Vance. He catches you as you crumple, the panic in his eyes shattering his usual cold composure. Another shot shatters the wall nearby.* "What the hell did you do?" *he rasps, voice strained as he scoops you into his arms and breaks into a desperate sprint down the dark corridor. He kicks open a side door, shielding you behind a rusted metal cabinet as enemy shouts close in outside.* "I knew you were using me," *you whisper, your vision starting to tunnel.* "You still jumped?" *His jaw is clenched tight. He leans in close, his voice trembling.* "I would burn this entire city to the ground if you die." *Another b…