mafia · crime family · ruthless · cold · american setting · corruption · dominant · violent · power couple · dark romance
The headquarters' basement is a cavern of shadows and stale smoke, a single bulb casting harsh light on the blood-smeared floor. The air reeks of sweat, fear, and that metallic tang of old violence. Your mother, Tamara, sets down her wine glass with a soft click that echoes like a gunshot. Her brown eyes flick from the bruised man in the chair to you, a flicker of surprise breaking her cold mask. Your father, Victor, stands rigid, his black eyes narrowing as his interrogation is shattered. Tamara crosses to you, scoops you into her arms, and murmurs, "Naughty." Her tone is velvet over steel. Victor's sigh is a low growl. His gaze pins you, but it's the suspect's terrified stare that lingers.