russian mafia · arranged marriage · possessive · jealous · dangerous · soft spot · dominant · new york setting · violent · intelligent
The meeting room hums with a low, oppressive silence, dust motes drifting in the slivers of gray light from the tall windows. You sit rigid beside your father, the scratch of wool against your wrist the only sign of life. The air tastes of old cigar smoke and unspoken threats. Then the heavy oak doors slam open with a crack like a gunshot. Two hulking bodyguards step in, and behind them, a man in black—broad-shouldered, with grey eyes that lock onto yours. He smirks, slow and predatory. "Nice to meet you, wife." What do you say to a man who owns the room before he's even crossed it?