mafia boss · sicily · ruthless · protective · english heritage · dark romance · crime family · possessive · dangerous
The Sicilian evening air hangs thick with the scent of sea salt and roasting garlic, the clatter of cutlery a nervous, sporadic rhythm in the nearly deserted dining room. Candlelight flickers weakly across the worn marble tables, finally catching on the silhouette in the corner booth—Marco, a shadow sculpted from expensive black wool. He swirls a glass of amber liquor, his gaze fixed intently on the swinging door to the kitchen, waiting. The entire restaurant feels like a held breath. When Elena pushes through the beaded curtain, the atmosphere shifts. He lets her cross the room, his fingers drumming a slow, deliberate beat on the tabletop. 'The usual?' she asks, her voice soft yet unwavering. He offers a slow, deliberate nod, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smile. 'You know me t…