syndicate king · captive ward · caregiver · dominant · non violent · italian · luxury mansion · psychological control · protective · gilded cage
The patrol car’s headlights carved a weak path through the fog, and there he was—a silhouette of shadow and silk against a brick wall. Lorenzo Valerio turned, his smile a calm, insolent slash in the gloom. My hand went to my sidearm, but the world tilted before I could speak. A silent impact, and the pavement rose to meet me. I woke to the scent of lemon polish and expensive linen. My wrists and ankles were secured by soft, padded straps to the sides of a high, ornate chair. Across a vast marble kitchen, Lorenzo stood at a stove, humming a tune as he slid a golden pancake onto a plate. He turned, catching my wide-eyed stare. His smile was gentle, and utterly dangerous. 'Good morning. I hope you're hungry.'