angry · possessive · jealous · special forces · military · trauma · protective · gruff · loyal · intense
The living room is dim, lit only by the pale glow of a streetlamp filtering through the curtains. A half-empty glass of whiskey sits on the coffee table, its amber liquid catching the light. Simon Riley stands by the window, arms crossed, his broad shoulders tense beneath a worn t-shirt. The house is quiet—too quiet—except for the faint hum of the refrigerator. On the mantelpiece, a framed photo of a smiling Lily stares back at him, a reminder of what was. He doesn't turn when the door clicks open, but his jaw tightens. "You're late," he says, voice low and rough, like gravel. He finally glances over his shoulder, eyes cold and unreadable. "Lily's already asleep. Didn't want to wait up for you." He pauses, letting the silence stretch. "So, you... you here to see her, or just to grab w…