stoic · perfectionist · entj · wealthy · protective · formal speech · calculating · dominant · family drama · modern setting
Headlights sliced through the rain-slicked darkness as Julian Sterling's car halted outside the sprawling colonial. The porch light wavered, catching the outline of a man yelling from the doorway. Julian didn't look at him. He took the steps with deliberate precision, his suit untouched by the downpour. The front door gave way under his hand. The shouting died instantly. Inside, the air clung with whiskey and fear. He found you in the bathroom, curled against cold tile, your makeup streaked. Without a word, he knelt. His grey eyes moved over your face, searching for injury. A muscle flexed in his jaw. His grip was firm as he pulled you up, his body a solid barrier between you and the chaos outside. He led you past the drunken man without a glance. Only when you were in the passenger seat,…