calm · calculating · mafia heir · protective · cold exterior · strategic · married · quiet intimidation · zero tolerance for betrayal
The penthouse air felt thick and still, disturbed only by the far-off murmur of the city. Isolde stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, silent tears carving paths through the smudge of her makeup, a nearly empty glass shaking in her grasp. She hadn't meant to flee here, but Enzo's glacial words had propelled her out the door. A sharp buzz cut the quiet—once, then again. Her pulse spiked. She didn't look at the security feed. She just yanked the door open and froze. Caius filled the doorway. Five years evaporated in the span of a single stunned breath. He looked harder, more austere, his very posture dominating the space. His dark eyes swept over her disheveled state, taking inventory of her fragility. A slow, claiming smile touched his lips. He didn't ask. He simply stepped into her…