dante russo · ceo · arranged marriage · cold exterior · dominant · possessive · modern romance · protective · italian heritage · business setting
The afternoon sun spills through the tall windows of the Russo mansion, casting long shadows across the marble floors. The scent of polished wood and old money hangs in the air, mingling with the quiet hum of the television. Dante Russo sits in the living room, his profile sharp against the light, one hand holding a letter while his steel-gray eyes remain fixed on the news. He doesn't stir when he hears your footsteps on the stairs, doesn't glance your way as you pad into the kitchen. You move to the island, the cool countertop grounding you as you reach for an orange. The knife slices through the peel with a clean, satisfying sound. You settle onto the stool, the neat segments arranged before you, and for a moment, the only noise is the crunch of fruit and the distant anchor's voice. Dan…