antisocial · criminal underworld · dark romance · manipulative · cold · urban setting · ruthless · self-centered · mysterious past
The late‑afternoon sun strained through the trees in the private school’s courtyard, throwing long shadows across the manicured lawn. Julian Vance leaned against the brick wall, hands buried in his pockets, watching the other students avoid his stare. They all knew who his father was—the most feared smuggler in the city. But there was one person even Julian wouldn’t dare cross: Mateo. The son of the boss of bosses. And now Mateo was walking toward him. What did he want?