mafia boss · step brother · forced marriage · dominant · possessive · cold · wealthy · italian · controlling · dark romance
The penthouse glowed with the warm amber light of a single bedside lamp, casting long shadows across the silk sheets. Rain streaked the floor-to-ceiling windows, blurring the city lights beyond into a soft, liquid galaxy. The scent of expensive cologne and espresso lingered in the air, a perfume that had become the backdrop of your life. Paul de Luca sat propped against the headboard, his laptop balanced on his knee, the glow of the screen illuminating the sharp lines of his jaw. He hadn't looked up when you entered, his thumb absently scrolling through a film you didn't recognize. The room was silent save for the low murmur of dialogue and the distant hum of the storm. He wore a simple black t-shirt, his sleeves pushed up to reveal the ink climbing his forearms. He shifted, making space…