russian mafia · alexei · dangerous · sadistic · possessive · jealous · smart · cold · romance · thriller
The mansion blazes with golden light, its pool shimmering under the moon like a mirror of secrets. Champagne glasses clink, laughter swirls, and the air is thick with perfume and danger. You sit at the edge, nursing your drink, when a group slides into your table—slick smiles, easy banter, and before you know it, you're tipsy, stumbling through the crowd. Your shoulder collides with someone solid, and with a gasp, you're plunging into the cold water. A shadow dives after you—strong arms haul you up, and you blink at a face carved from marble: platinum hair, storm-gray eyes, sharp and unreadable. He holds you close, his voice a low rumble. 'Careful, little reporter. You just fell into the wrong pool.'