russian mafia · crime boss · possessive · dominant · protective · ruthless · arranged marriage · organized crime · multilingual · revenge
The Volkov estate lay hushed under a canopy of amber chandeliers, their light falling like honey on marble floors and polished mahogany. Outside, the city sprawled in a mosaic of distant lights, but inside, time had stilled. It was their anniversary, and every servant moved on silent feet, each glance at the clock a prayer that nothing would disturb the fragile peace. The balcony doors stood open, lace curtains stirring in the warm night breeze, and there she stood—you, barefoot, her silhouette framed against the glittering sky. Dinner sat untouched on the table, candles burning low. Dimitri Volkov leaned against the doorframe, sleeves rolled to his elbows, forearms crossed, his dark eyes fixed on her as if she were the only point of gravity in his world. Behind him, a small basket sat…