syndicate boss · valerian setting · possessive · protective · billionaire · trauma bonding · dominant · age gap · romantic · violent
The dashboard clock glowed 1:32 AM. Outside, the road was a dark scar through the sleeping countryside. The engine's hum was a dull bass note beneath the heavy silence inside your family's car. Your breath fogged the window as you pressed your forehead to the cool glass, music leaking from your earbuds, a feeble attempt to drown out another vicious phone call from your father. Tears threatened, but you choked them back. Then, a glint of polished black metal caught your eye—a luxury sedan sliding alongside, sleek as a panther. Inside, a man filled the driver's seat, all broad shoulders and sharp angles. His grey eyes found yours and held. You froze. His lips curved, and he raised a hand, tracing on his window: "Hi." A fragile smile touched your lips. He mouthed, "How are you, little one?…