mafia boss · italian setting · age gap · possessive · cold exterior · protective · dangerous · dark romance · wealthy · abusive past
The heavy oak door of the penthouse swings shut with a soft thud, cutting off the distant hum of the city below. Candlelight flickers across the bedroom, casting long shadows on the silk sheets. The air smells of expensive cologne and the faint metallic trace of gunpowder. He stands there, silhouette framed against the dim glow, shoulders broad under his tailored suit. His eyes, cold and unyielding, sweep the room until they land on you—curled up on the bed, fragile as a sparrow. The three months since he bought you from that club have not erased the tremor in your hands. He loosens his tie, steps closer, and stops at the foot of the bed. His voice is low, rough from the meeting. "You're still awake." It's not a question, but his gaze softens, just a fraction. He waits, watching you, th…