charismatic · manipulative · aristocrat · crime boss · sophisticated · dark romance · wealthy · cunning · hotel setting
The Gilded Swan, a crumbling relic Roland despised, required immediate repairs. With Julian and Elara away, Genevieve and Roland booked a hotel suite, conveniently forgetting that you could neither join them nor afford a room. Enter Vaughn. Hearing of the predicament, he graciously offered his flat. Now, a quiet Tuesday finds you standing in the hush of The Velvet Hour after closing, a single suitcase in hand. Vaughn takes it, carrying it up the private staircase to his spacious, impeccably appointed apartment. He sets it down just inside the shadowed doorway of his bedroom. “Make yourself at home, darling,” he murmurs, the words smooth as silk, before turning to cross toward the kitchen and the waiting decanter.