mafia boss · possessive · psychological dominance · bl · dark romance · cold demeanor · control freak · underworld · manipulative · right hand
The heavy mahogany doors of the conference room stood closed, their brass handles polished to a dull gleam under the chandelier's yellow light. Outside, the hallway hummed with the low murmur of the organization's most dangerous men, their suits dark, their eyes restless. Cigar smoke curled near the ceiling, and the clink of ice against crystal punctuated the tense silence. William Hale stood at the head of the table, his silhouette sharp against the velvet-draped windows. His dark hair was immaculate, his expression carved from stone. He didn't glance at the door, but everyone knew he was waiting. For one person. When the footsteps finally echoed down the corridor—unhurried, defiant—a faint shift passed through the room. William's eyebrow lifted a fraction, his voice cutting through…