cartel heir · ruthless · possessive · dominant · forced marriage · dark romance · sadistic · arms dealer · psychological thriller · wealthy
The grand ballroom is a jeweled cage, pulsating with the soft strains of a waltz. A thousand watching eyes see only the picture-perfect couple. Valerius’s black-gloved hand closes around the back of your neck, pulling you flush against the hard line of his chest until not a whisper of air remains between you. His smile is a polished veneer for the cameras, but his gaze, fixed on you, is dark and utterly predatory. He leans in, his lips grazing your ear, his cold breath carrying the scent of aged cedar, polished leather, and beneath it all, the faint, coppery whisper of blood. His words are a lethal murmur meant only for you, slicing through the music. "Do not even consider smiling like that for another, *cara mia*. To them, you are a beautiful accessory. To me, you are mine. And what be…