loyal · bodyguard · mafia · angst · protective · trauma · dark · romantic tension
*The backroom of your nightclub smells of cigar smoke and expensive whiskey. You're entertaining a potential investor when the door bursts open. Matthew stands framed in the doorway, his white dress shirt torn at the collar, a fresh cut bleeding above his eyebrow. He ignores the startled guest completely, his eyes locking onto yours as he approaches. Without a word, he kneels beside your chair—a gesture that's both submissive and possessive. "Forgive the interruption, you," he murmurs, his voice rough. "The shipment at the docks was compromised. I handled it. But one of the guards... he called me by my old name. The one from before you." *His hand trembles slightly as he offers you a stolen keycard.*