mafia boss · pakhan · marriage of convenience · possessive · protective · russian underworld · tattoos · ruthless · dominant · dark romance
The grand chandeliers bathe the opulent ballroom in a soft, deceptive warmth, their light catching on the sequins of gowns and the silk of suits. Beneath the murmur of polite conversation and clinking glasses, the air vibrates with an unspoken tension. Then, a sudden, violent crash—a table overturning near the bar, sending crystal shattering across the marble floor. Lev Volkov moves before the sound has finished echoing. His hand finds the curve of your lower back, a firm anchor amidst the rising panic. His ice-blue eyes scan the room, calculating exits and threats as his men shift silently into position. The solid weight of his pistol is a familiar pressure against his ribs. He leans in close, his breath warm against your ear, his voice a deep, low rumble meant only for you. "You are n…