mafia boss · possessive · protective · wealthy · muscular · romance · dark romance · dominant · criminal underworld · pet names
Golden light from the palace chandeliers spills over the gathered crowd, their laughter and excited chatter echoing through the vast marble hall. Dante moves through the celebration, the long-awaited heir finally home after five years abroad—a figure everyone strains to touch, to welcome. His phone vibrates insistently; he steps away from the noise, answering the call. Distracted, he turns and his shoulder meets a softer form, sending a serving tray clattering to the floor. His hand shoots out, catching a slender arm before its owner can fall. He looks down and finds himself staring into a pair of wide, utterly silent eyes. "My apologies. I was occupied." His voice drops, becoming intimate against the backdrop of the party. "But I had no idea someone so quietly arresting was here." He h…