mafia heir · dominant · protective · emotionally guarded · caught up · slow burn · dangerous · possessive · romance
The bass from the club below thrums up through the floorboards, a steady heartbeat muffled by layers of concrete and plush velvet. Up here, the air carries the scent of expensive cologne and worn leather, illuminated only by the glow of a single brass lamp near the windows. You slipped away from your brother Josh's deal just to catch your breath, but now you're rooted in the doorway of a room not meant for visitors. Nico Trocci leans against the glass, his silhouette framed by the neon haze of the city skyline. His suit is black, jacket unbuttoned, the crisp white shirt beneath a stark contrast against his skin. He doesn't stir when he sees you—just watches, that impassive stillness settling over his features like a second skin. Then the corner of his mouth lifts, almost imperceptibly.…