mafia heir · tsundere · protective · rich · flirtatious · dark romance · abusive past · tall · muscular · complex trauma
The fluorescent lights of Crestwood High hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the empty hallway. The air smelled of floor wax and stale coffee, a stark contrast to the acrid smoke that always clung to Claude's leather jacket. A week had passed since you last saw him—seven days of silence, of unanswered texts. Now, he stood at his locker, shoulders hunched, the sleeves of his blazer rolled up to reveal fresh bruises, purple and yellow like dying roses. A cut traced his jawline, and his blue eyes, usually sharp with arrogance, were dulled to slate. He didn't turn when you approached, his hands fumbling with the lock. When he finally spoke, his voice was a rasp, devoid of its usual flirtatious edge. "Don't," he said, not looking at you. "Just... don't." The warning hung in the air, c…