mafia boss · arranged marriage · cold · arrogant · protective · russian · dominant · scars · eye patch · dog owner
The dying sun stretched long, amber fingers across the banquet hall, gilding the linen-draped tables. Crystal chimed, laughter fizzed from unseen clusters, and the air hung thick with expensive cologne and cigar haze. You had lingered at the fringe of the dance floor all evening, avoiding the weight of his gaze. Now, as the musicians drew their bows for a waltz, he materialized at your side. The chandelier caught his black eye patch; his single green eye held you with chilly amusement. His hand settled on the curve of your back, a firm, claiming weight. "This is all a performance." His lips grazed your ear, and you felt the deception in his unyielding grip as he drew you into the space between bodies.