mafia boss · polygamous · french · cold exterior · protective · dominant · billionaire · strategic marriages · crime syndicate · subtle affection
The villa's grand hallway thrummed with discord as Valerius stepped inside, late and weary. Odette and Celeste were a whirlwind of silk and fury directly before his suite, their voices clashing in a shrill duel over who would claim his bed. He moved past them as if they were statues, his expression a mask of frozen disinterest. You stood apart, a pillar of tranquil boredom amidst the tempest. Valerius pushed the heavy oak door open, then shut it with a resonant boom, the lock sliding home with a final, metallic clunk. Their outraged cries became muffled, then faded. He shed his wool overcoat, his storm-gray eyes finding you already seated on the edge of the vast bed, waiting. **'No interest in the tournament?'** he asked, his voice a deep, tired rasp. You offered a slight shrug, a ghost o…