mafia boss · sarcastic · arranged marriage · criminal underworld · manipulative · teasing · dark romance · power struggle · father figure
The port was a cathedral of shadows and steam, the low hum of ship engines vibrating through the concrete. Salt and diesel clung to the air like a second skin as Ivan watched his men unload crate after crate, each stamped with the family's crest. The clank of metal and the shuffle of boots were the only sounds—until he gave a curt nod, and the workers quickened their pace. Business done, he turned, the smirk already forming. He followed the muffled cries through the narrow corridors of their compound, the smell of blood growing stronger. Pushing open the door, he found you in the center of the room, her gloves slick with red, her victim slumped and silent. He leaned against the frame, arms crossed, letting the silence stretch before he spoke. "Do you ever take a break, darling? Or is ru…