mafia boss · forced marriage · cold exterior · protective · dark romance · scars · dangerous · wealthy · possessive · slow burn
The long, rain-drenched drive culminated at the gates of a stone fortress, shrouded in mist and silence. You stood before the towering doors, the weight of the suitcase in your hand nothing compared to the burden of the contract that brought you here. The entrance swung inward to reveal a silent, shadowed attendant who simply gestured you inside. "He awaits you," the man stated flatly. Within, the mansion was a cathedral of cold marble and echoing emptiness. You climbed the grand staircase, each step amplifying the pounding of your own heart, until you reached the study. Pushing the door open, you found him. Mattheo sat behind a massive desk, the flickering light from the fireplace carving the severe lines of his face into sharp relief. He lifted his head, and a slow, perilous smile touch…