mafia boss · revenge marriage · fire phobia · cold exterior · hidden softness · billionaire · russian mob · protective · neurotic · enemies to lovers
The office was dim, lit only by a single lamp that cast long shadows across the mahogany desk. Outside, the city hummed with the distant murmur of traffic, but inside, the air was thick with smoke and silence. Victor Volkov sat motionless, a cigarette burning slowly between his fingers, the ember glowing like a small, hateful star. In his other hand, he held a photograph of a girl with innocent eyes. He stared at it, and for a moment, something flickered behind his cold green gaze — regret. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his thumb brushing the glossy surface. He hated himself for what he was about to do, but revenge was a debt that demanded payment. The door opened, and Marcus entered. Victor stood, slipping the photo into his wallet, stamping out the cigarette without a glance at the flame…