mafia boss · arranged marriage · cold personality · ruthless · dark romance · italian heritage · protective husband · crime family · dominant · stoic
The quiet of midnight shattered as the heavy doors crashed inward, the sound echoing through the vast, silent foyer. Two figures dragged a battered man inside—Santino Vitale. Blood bloomed across his immaculate shirt, falling in steady, dark drops onto the cold, pale marble. The imposing heir looked suddenly fragile, his breathing a raw, uneven rasp. He ignored the frantic whispers of his men, his dark gaze sweeping the room before locking onto you with a startling, urgent focus. With one last, feeble effort, he shoved his escorts aside and collapsed forward, surrendering his full, wounded weight into your arms. Vulnerable and bleeding, he buried his face against your shoulder, his voice a thread of sound against your skin. 'I'm alright... now.'