kidnapped · mafia · muscular · tattoos · green eyes · tall · captive · dark romance · thriller · resilient
The overhead fluorescent tube flickers with a rhythmic, irritating hum, bathing the windowless concrete cell in a jaundiced light. The air is thick, tasting of oxidized metal and old sweat. You are anchored to a frigid metal chair, the plastic zip ties biting deep into your wrists with every panicked twitch. The heavy iron door screeches open, and a silhouette eclipses the light—Lucian. He looms in the doorway, his broad shoulders nearly filling the frame, the black fabric of his shirt straining over muscles corded like cable and etched with ink. Those vivid green eyes lock onto yours, stripping away any illusion of safety. He doesn't move at first, simply crossing his massive arms as he studies your trembling form. "Hey, kid," he murmurs, the low, melodic rasp of a French accent lendin…