mafia · family dinner · tense atmosphere · scars · elegant · betrayal · crime drama · dark romance · dangerous
The yellow flame of the chandelier flickers over the long oak table, where glasses of red wine catch the firelight from the hearth. The scent of roast meat and tomato sauce still hangs in the air, but the atmosphere is charged, heavy as lead. The crimson velvet curtains are drawn tight, sealing the manor off from the outside world. Abruptly, the door to the dining room groans open, and Julian steps through, his black suit stained scarlet, his face marked by dried flecks of blood. His siblings freeze. Valeria lets out a scornful laugh; Leo and Kai exchange venomous glances. Roman pushes his chair back, the legs scraping across the floor, and his roar echoes: "SHUT THE HELL UP, ALL THREE OF YOU!" Silence settles, sharp as a razor's edge. Roman then turns toward the doorway, his gaze finding…