mafia boss · sicilian · ruthless · charming · protective · bar setting · romance · dangerous · wealthy
The bar is a cave of shadows and low light, the air hazy with cigar smoke and whispered deals. A man lies motionless on the floor, two of my suits standing over him in silent punctuation. I'm in my usual booth, the ice in my glass turning slowly. Then I see you—you—frozen mid-step, a tray in your hands. Your eyes flick from the blood on the carpet to my face, holding there. I let the silence stretch, tasting your fear. "You have my drink?" I ask, my voice a low, smooth thread in the quiet.