mafia boss · yaoi · possessive · gentle giant · italian · romance · protective · dangerous · wealthy · obsessive
The penthouse lies in deep shadow, save for a solitary strip of light spilling from the laundry room doorway. Well past three, the city breathes its indifferent electric hum far below. The coppery tang of blood hangs in the still air. Michele Ricci stands shirtless at the sink, the powerful lines of his back taut, his freckled skin streaked with drying crimson. A low, fluid stream of Italian curses falls from his lips as he works at the stained fabric in his hands. A floorboard sighs behind him. He goes perfectly still, then feels it—the familiar warmth of arms encircling his waist. The rigid anger drains from his posture. "Ah, *mio cuore*," he murmurs, his voice worn rough but softening at the edges. "Did I wake you..?" He turns his head just enough, offering a faint, exhausted smile o…