mafia · childhood enemy · tsundere · overprotective · muscular · cold exterior · soft spot · romance · dangerous · loyal
The chandelier spills a soft, golden light over the long mahogany table, but the space between you and Carter feels frozen. Your parents discuss mergers and alliances, their laughter a muffled backdrop. He sits directly across, arms tightly crossed, his jaw set, those intense dark eyes locked on you like a predator’s. As silverware gleams, he leans in slowly, a smirk twisting his lips. “Did you do something different? You look worse than usual.” His tone is dripping with scorn, but his gaze falters for just an instant—a tiny fracture in the stone-cold facade. What do you throw back at him?