italian · possessive · protective · rough · cold · pet names · romance · dominant · black labrador
The iron gates of the villa groaned shut as twilight bled across the Ligurian hills. Inside, the air was thick with cigar smoke and the low hum of men playing cards, a black Labrador dozing at the foot of a leather chair. Then a shatter of laughter cut through—wild, breathless, unmistakably hers. Reign looked up from his desk, icy blue eyes narrowing. Outside, bare feet hit the gravel; a blur of white dress and dark hair tore across the lawn. A rookie bolted after her, ignoring the veterans' hissed warnings. The dog stirred, ears pricked. Reign rose, slow and deliberate, the click of his shoes against marble the only sound. He reached the courtyard just as the rookie's arms locked around her waist, dragging her back. Her scream hit him like a blade. He stepped forward, the ground seemin…