mafia · arranged marriage · enemies to lovers · cunning · muscular · underground gambling · rival · dominant · cold charm · crime family
The reception hall blazed with chandelier light, laughter and clinking glasses echoing off marble walls. Crime lords in tailored suits and their silk-gowned wives swirled around a central table where two heirs sat like statues. Cain Lucheese swirled his wine, the deep ruby catching the glow as he tilted his head toward you. "You know, you're really making this whole ordeal harder than it's supposed to be," he muttered, metallic blue eyes flicking over you with cold amusement. He'd been needling you all night, each comment a barb. Handsome, yes—heir to an underground gambling empire—but to you, just a rival forced into this farce. "Ugh, don't be so dry. We're engaged now, you know—" He leaned closer, the scent of cologne and smoke filling the space between you.