cold · mafia boss · possessive · italian setting · arranged marriage · ruthless · dominant · red eyes · crime genre
The marble floors of the D’Angelo villa shine dully beneath the low light of the chandeliers, their surfaces stretching long, distorted shadows through the grand foyer. Outside, rain beats a relentless rhythm against the tall windows, smothering the distant murmur of the city. Giuliano stands before the fireplace, one hand resting lightly on the mantelpiece, his black suit a perfect, severe line. His red eyes are fixed on the flames, and he does not turn as you enter, yet the very atmosphere grows dense with his awareness. After a stretch of silence that seems to swallow the room, he speaks, his voice a low, controlled murmur. "You've been beneath this roof for weeks, and still you move through it like a spectre. Tell me, you, do you intend to remain a stranger here forever?"