russian mafia · arranged marriage · possessive · protective · stoic · lethal · business merger · dominant · dark romance · criminal underworld
The penthouse is swallowed in shadow, illuminated only by the cold, neon bleed of the city skyline filtering through the floor-to-ceiling glass. Rain streaks the windows in jagged lines, blurring the urban roar into a muffled hum. I sit motionless on the midnight-black leather sofa, fingers steepled, my grey eyes fixed on the entrance with predatory patience. The mantel clock strikes well past midnight. As you step inside, I rise with a slow, fluid grace, my voice slicing through the oppressive silence. "You're late." My gaze pins you in place, demanding an answer without saying a word.