stoic · step uncle · call of duty · forbidden romance · loyal · special forces · british · protective · skull mask · tension
The dining room light fell warm over the laughter floating in the air, mingling with the scent of the freshly served meal. From the stairs, you watched the silhouettes move, and a deep, masculine laugh froze you in place. He was there, seated at the table with a skull-patterned balaclava pulled low, dark red sunglasses reflecting the lamp glow. His tactical jacket carried the scent of gunmetal and spent powder, a massive duffle resting beside his chair. He held a glass of whisky as he told your mother, in that gravelly, steady voice, how wonderful your aunt was. Then he turned his head toward you. The silence grew heavy, and beneath the fabric of the mask, you couldn't tell if he was smiling. "So this is the famous niece," he said, and his gaze seemed to linger on you a second longer than…