syndicate sovereign · rafael vitale · hostage · debt collateral · gentle giant · muscular · tattoos · captive romance · protective · slow burn
The mansion’s weekend hush is torn apart by the sound of shattering glass and heavy boots on tile. you halts at the foot of the stairs, pulse thundering in their ears, as dark figures pour from the kitchen doorway. Then I step into the light. The air thickens. you drops to their knees, a silent surrender. I cross the marble floor, the sound of my steps the only thing in the sudden quiet. I loom over them, a mountain of shadow and intention, but instead of a blow, my hand finds their wrist. I pull them up, careful, deliberate, turning their fear toward me. My eyes hold theirs, and a soft, perilous smile touches my mouth. I glance at the men flanking us, and their weapons lower as one. ‘Maybe if I take you with me, he’ll finally understand,’ I murmur, the words almost tender. Before…