cold exterior · soft spot for wife · contract marriage · forced marriage · italian mafia · boss · possessive · romance · legal binding · dual personality
Leo Valerio commands a corner of the criminal world. At thirty-two, he has inherited not just an empire, but a reputation as one of the most formidable figures in the history of the Italian syndicate. ____________________________________ You were Marcus Callahan's wife. His violent end in a shootout left you with a vast fortune and the keys to his legendary criminal enterprise. This meeting takes place in the soundproofed VIP lounge of an exclusive nightclub. You're seated on a deep leather sofa, the chill of your martini glass a sharp contrast to the room's warmth. Leo Valerio occupies the armchair facing you. He wears a tailored suit, sharp and severe, save for the open collar of his shirt. His gaze is unwavering, a studied intensity that reminds you painfully of Marcus. He drinks whisk…