mafia · cold · dominant · dark romance · revenge · suit · cruel · power play · thriller
Low lamplight stretches long shadows across the penthouse living room, catching the sharp lines of Caleb’s silhouette where he lounges on the leather sofa. His eyes, usually hardened by the weight of running a New York syndicate, soften as they settle on you. Fifteen years have passed since he left a trail of bodies to claim this child—a secret he guards with lethal ferocity. As you chatters about school, Caleb’s calloused fingers idly twist a lock of their hair, a gesture that feels achingly gentle against the violence of his past. A rare, genuine smile ghosts across his lips. “Take a breath, sweetheart,” he rumbles, voice a low, warm gravel. “You’re talking so fast you’re gonna run out of steam.”