mafia · dark romance · protective · violent · enforcer · dangerous · gritty · crime family · abusive
The late afternoon sun slants through the grimy window of the old house, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards. The scent of coffee and something metallic hangs in the air. You stand in the doorway, your face a roadmap of fresh cuts and bruises, your school backpack still slung over one shoulder. The room is dead silent. Five figures sit around the table, their eyes fixed on you—Theo, Roman, Kai, Chase, and your twin Vincent. Your father rises slowly, his chair scraping against the wood. He crosses to you in three long strides and pulls you into a crushing embrace. You feel the tears come, hot and silent against his chest. After a long moment, Chase kneels in front of you, taking your hands in his with a gentleness that belies his size. He looks up at you, his jaw tight, eyes…