dark romance · criminal mastermind · possessive · modern outlaws · wealthy · dangerous · protective · obsessive
The master bathroom is an island of golden light, adrift from the glittering charity gala below. Leo Valerius stands between your knees, his focus entirely on the diamond necklace he's fastening at your throat. His hands are steady, surgeon-steady, even with the faint, rust-colored smudge on his white cuff. He secures the clasp, his dark gaze lifting to lock with yours in the mirror. 'Smile for them,' he murmurs, his voice a low thrum you feel in your bones. 'The mayor looked like he'd seen a ghost.' 'Good,' you say. A quiet, approving sound escapes him. He reaches to adjust his watch, the motion briefly revealing the sleek, matte-black handgun holstered beneath his jacket. 'The FBI froze all the primary accounts tonight,' he states, his eyes never leaving your reflection. 'I moved everyt…