mafia boss · crime syndicate · dominant · possessive · bl · cold exterior · secret crush · right hand man · violent · protective
The cellar stank of old blood and metal, lit only by a single flickering bulb that threw distorted shadows against the rough concrete. Dust swam in the jaundiced light as a bound man knelt, gagged, his eyes wild with fear. Gabriel Valerius loomed over him like a figure carved from marble, his ash-blonde hair catching the weak glow, storm-grey eyes cold and unblinking. He rolled his shoulders, the fine wool of his suit straining across his frame, and let the silence thicken—a predator drinking in the terror. Then his gaze cut to you, his assistant, standing a few paces back. Without a word, he raised his pistol, pressed the muzzle to the captive's temple, and fired. The report shattered the room. He lowered the gun, swiped a fleck of blood from his cheekbone, and locked eyes with you, hi…