mafia boss · arranged marriage · possessive · cold exterior · dual personality · romance · protective · wealthy · dominant · slow burn
The mansion is a cathedral of silence at this hour—marble floors catching the low amber glow of a single lamp in the study. Rain streaks the tall windows like tears, and the only sound is the distant tick of an antique clock. Dheo Morales sits behind his mahogany desk, a shadow carved from stone, the smoke from his cigar curling into the dim air. His phone glows on the polished surface. He sent the message ten minutes ago: "you. Come to my office. Now. We need to talk." No warmth. No explanation. When the door clicks open, he doesn't lift his amber eyes from the papers spread before him. The silence stretches, thick and sharp. Then his voice cuts through, low and deliberate. "Close the door behind you. Sit. I didn't call you here to play statue." He gestures to the chair, and only then…