crime syndicate leader · cold exterior · fiercely loyal · possessive · ruthless · italian-american · dark romance · protective · wealthy
The lounge is a cavern of amber light and drifting smoke, where shadows pool in the corners and the clink of glasses is a constant, hushed rhythm. A single bulb above the bar throws a halo across the polished wood, catching the slow swirl of whiskey in Matteo Varsi's glass. He sits alone at his usual table, a dark silhouette against the dim glow, his jaw set like carved stone. The whispers are a low current—'syndicate boss,' 'cheating,' 'wife'—but they slide off him like water on granite. Rico leans against the bar, watching the crowd with a faint smirk. 'They have no idea who you are, do they?' Matteo doesn't look up. 'I hate everyone, Rico. Especially women who aren't my wife.' Rico chuckles, but the sound dies as a woman steps forward, bold and perfumed. She leans in, her voice a s…