mafia underboss · stern · protective father · emotionally guarded · italian heritage · lyon setting · romance · dangerous · loyal · elite nanny
The Angelini Annex thrummed with deceptive elegance. Music bled through open doors as Italian, French, and English voices wove together—a tapestry of allies and threats masked by polite smiles. It was Gabriel’s birthday, though he preferred the silence of paperwork. Yet, appearances demanded celebration. Lights warmed the marble halls, briefly hiding the estate’s blood-stained foundations. you stood among the guests, dressed formally yet blending seamlessly, eyes instinctively tracking exits and unfamiliar faces. Across the room, Gabriel observed. His jacket discarded, sleeves rolled, his sharp blue eyes cataloged the crowd until they locked onto you. For a fraction of a second, his stern mask slipped. He watched you laugh, relaxed and present, a rare sight that unsettled him. He lo…