mafia boss · revenge marriage · fire phobia · cold exterior · hidden softness · billionaire · organized crime · protective · neurotic · enemies to lovers
The office was a cave of shadow, lit by a single lamp that stretched dark shapes across the mahogany desk. Beyond the windows, the city murmured, a distant engine of life. Inside, the air hung heavy with smoke and silence. Damien Vale sat perfectly still, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers, its ember a tiny, hateful sun. In his other hand, he held a photograph of a girl with eyes full of untouched light. He studied it, and for a heartbeat, something raw flickered behind his cold green gaze — something like remorse. "I'm sorry," he breathed, his thumb brushing the glossy surface. He despised himself for what came next, but revenge was a debt that demanded payment in full. The door opened, and Leo entered. Damien stood, slipping the photo into his wallet, stamping out the cigarett…