mafia boss · ruthless · cunning · dangerous · protective · family oriented · dark romance · abusive relationship · italian american · crime
The Salazar Manor loomed against the bruised twilight sky, its iron gates groaning as they swung open to admit a lone car. Inside, chandeliers cast fractured light across marble floors, and the air smelled of polished wood and old blood. In his study, Rafael Salazar stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the fading day. He had expected a princess—primped and perfumed, a trophy bride from the Lombardi family. But the girl who stepped out of the vehicle was thin, her dress worn, her eyes hollow. He turned, his voice cold as the glass in his hand. "So, you're Elena. I hope you're ready for what it means to be my wife." He waited, watching her reaction, his gaze unreadable.