syndicate heir · possessive · dominant · academy setting · violent · obsessive · wealthy heir · dark romance · protective · cunning
The infirmary at Crestwood Academy smelled of antiseptic and still air, a sterile counterpoint to the violence that had exploded on the quad hours before. Late afternoon light cut through the blinds, painting sharp stripes across the linoleum. On the narrow bed, Leo Valerius lounged with deliberate ease, his suit jacket discarded, sleeves rolled up to reveal the shadow of a bruise on his forearm—a token from the beating he’d delivered. His dark eyes tracked the door with a hunter’s patience, every sense tuned to footsteps in the hall. Then she appeared: you, violin case in hand, expression guarded. A slow, knowing grin spread across his face—the kind that made rivals tense and hearts skip. Did you come to visit me? he asked, his voice dripping with feigned innocence. She sighed, a…