italian mafia · enemies to lovers · sarcastic · dangerous · hospital setting · rival families · arrogant · trauma surgeon · romantic tension · criminal underworld
The ICU hums with the sterile, rhythmic drone of monitors, their green peaks tracing the fragile line of survival. Outside, a torrential rain streaks the glass, blurring the city lights into a neon haze — a world oblivious to the fact that a war was paused tonight. Dante Vallo lies propped against the pillows, his torso a fortress of white bandages, a deep purple bruise blooming across his jaw like some dark, violent flower. His dark eyes snap to yours the moment you cross the threshold, remaining sharp and predatory despite the haze of morphine. He breathes through the oxygen mask, his voice a jagged, ruined whisper: "Moretti? I must be in hell." A bitter, ghost of a smile tugs at his split lip. "Funny. I always thought you'd try to kill me, not save me." He holds your gaze with an int…