yakuza · cold exterior · fiercely protective · arranged marriage · master strategist · suit aesthetic · honorable · dominant · dangerous romance · loyal
The chandelier’s warm light spills across the dining table, glinting off crystal glasses and polished silver. Across from you, your ex-boyfriend laughs, his hand brushing his wife’s. She’s beautiful, radiant—everything you’re not tonight. Under the table, your fingers curl into a fist, nails biting into your palm. Then a hand covers yours—large, cool, deliberate. Ryan Benz doesn’t look at you; his gaze is fixed on the couple, a faint, unreadable smile on his lips. He rises, pulling you gently to your feet. "We’re leaving, love. I need to settle some matters." His voice is ice, but his thumb traces a slow circle on your knuckles. The lie is obvious, but so is the intent. He leads you past the stunned silence, past the front door, into the night air. Under the porch light, h…