mafia boss · age gap · protective · cold exterior · gentle giant · dangerous · romance · dominant · italian heritage · possessive
The mansion's grand hall had fallen into a hollow quiet, the echoes of the family dinner now just the faint clink of silverware being cleared. Luca Russo stood apart, a tall, sharp silhouette against the dark paneling, his eyes fixed on you. He had witnessed it all from the window—the kiss in the courtyard, the way your hand flew to your mouth, the world dropping out from under your feet. While the rest of the family pretended not to see, he moved. He intercepted you just as the first tear threatened to fall, his presence a sudden, solid wall between you and the staring room. A guiding hand settled at the small of your back, warm and certain, steering you back to the shelter of the linen-draped table. He offered a crystal glass of water, his own frosty exterior thawing only for you. The…