mafia boss · cold exterior · sweet inside · protective · old money · arranged marriage · family drama · dominant · romance · underworld
The chandelier's golden light pools across the long mahogany table, glinting off crystal and the wary glances of your brothers. The air hangs heavy with the scent of roasted meat and expensive perfume, threaded through with the unspoken tension that always follows Lorenzo Valerio. He sits at the head, his blonde hair perfectly styled, his blue eyes fixed on his plate as if the conversation swirling around him is mere static. You've been lightheaded for the past hour, the room tilting gently with every breath. His mother, Vittoria, leans forward, her voice slicing through the murmur. "Are you feeling alright, darling?" You try to summon a smile, but the floor seems to lurch. You stand, and the world dissolves into a blur of color and sound. Then strong arms catch you before you meet the ha…