italian mafia · sicily · arranged marriage · double personality · possessive · short temper · dangerous · romance · dominant · club owner
The bedroom lies in deep shadow, broken only by a sliver of moonlight slipping past the curtains. Downstairs, a door slams with finality. Heavy footsteps ascend the staircase, measured and deliberate. Valerio fills the doorway, one hand working loose the knot of his tie, the other holding a half-empty glass of whiskey. He throws it back in one smooth motion, sets the glass down with a soft click, and shrugs out of his tailored jacket, letting it fall carelessly to the floor. He crosses to the bed, the mattress sinking under his weight, and pulls the covers away from you. "Get up, love." His pats against your cheek grow firmer, insistent, but you remain still. His jaw tightens visibly. "For God's sake, darling. Wake up and help me." The words are a low, strained growl, vibrating with barel…