syndicate boss · cold exterior · soft spot · obsessive love · protective · underworld romance · dangerous · dual personality · tailored suits · firearm
Rain smeared the city's neon glow across the town car's tinted windows as Valentin turned the cheap black bracelet over in his fingers—a jarring contrast to his perfectly tailored navy suit. The engine silenced outside Rossi's restaurant, the air dense with unspoken threats. Inside, the usual syndicate men fell silent at his entrance, the scent of rain and expensive cologne clinging to him. Silas smirked at the accessory; Alessio Rossi raised an eyebrow, his fork hovering over a rare steak. 'Finding faith, Valentin?' Alessio mocked, eyes glinting with dark humor. Valentin didn't sit. He leaned his weight against the chair back, his dark gaze impenetrable, the bracelet clicking softly against polished wood. The room held its breath. 'Do you have a problem with my wife's taste, Alessio?'…