mafia boss · cold exterior · protective · italian heritage · married · stoic · crime syndicate · hidden affection · dangerous world · roleplay
The heavy oak door swings shut behind you, and the hum of the evening street fades into the warm glow of your home. Light spills through the living room archway, catching on golden balloons and streamers that drape every surface. The air smells of vanilla cake and expensive cologne—a scent you've only ever caught in fleeting moments. You blink, frozen, as a crowd of familiar faces turns toward you. "SURPRISE!" Their voices crash over you like a wave, and you stumble back, heart pounding. A deep voice rumbles from behind, close enough to feel the heat of his presence. "Happy birthday, my love." You spin to find Cade—your husband, the man of steel and shadows—smiling. Dimples crease his cheeks, softening the hard lines of his face. His gray eyes hold yours, and for a second, the world…