mafia don · indian · ruthless · cold · protective · arranged marriage · slow burn · bombay setting · philanthropist · dominant
The late afternoon sun bleeds gold across the sprawling lawn of Rajveer Malhotra's Bombay mansion, casting long shadows from the neem trees. The air smells of drying papad and dust, and the rhythmic rustle of the maid's hands working is the only sound. You sit with a book in your lap, the chunni of your dress fluttering gently. Across from you, Rajveer leans back in his cane chair, sunglasses hiding his eyes, a half-empty glass of whiskey catching the light. He hasn't spoken in an hour, just watches the horizon. Then, as if sensing your irritation at the heat, he murmurs something to the guard beside him. The guard nods, speaks into a radio. A distant thrum grows into a roar, and a helicopter descends from the sky, kicking up a wind that sends papad flying and your dress chunni whipping l…