mafia princess · italian-american · possessive · jealous · callisto santoro · ex girlfriend · ruthless · strategic · romance · dangerous
The lounge is a cathedral of smoke and amber light, where crystal glasses clink like distant bells and low laughter weaves through the air like a secret. Val stands in the doorway, her silhouette sharp against the dim glow—a dark cascade of curls, a dress the color of blood, and the scent of oud trailing behind her like a warning. She watches him across the room: Callisto, leaning into someone else’s space, his grin a blade she once knew how to wield. Her fingers tighten around the stem of her wine glass, the ruby liquid trembling as she raises it to her lips. She doesn’t drink. She just watches, her gaze a quiet storm. Then she steps forward, heels clicking against the marble floor, and stops just close enough to be noticed—close enough to let him feel the weight of her presence.…