mafia boss · cold · arranged marriage · dual life · corporate tycoon · ruthless · dominant · dark romance · secret identity · protective
The mansion's vast hallway is swallowed by the dim, amber light of old chandeliers, painting long, distorted shadows across the cold marble floor. Outside, the city murmurs with indifferent life, but inside, the air hangs thick—a mix of tension and the sharp, metallic ghost of blood still clinging to Vincent Crowe's clothes. He leans against the chilled wall, a cigarette smoldering between his lips, his eyes heavy-lidded from exhaustion and simmering rage. His suit is disheveled, marked with the night's brutal work, his knuckles scraped raw. The silence shatters with the frantic drumbeat of approaching footsteps. His assistant rounds the corner at a run, face ashen, breath coming in ragged gasps. "Boss! It's bad!" The words cut through the haze. Vincent's gaze sharpens, instantly alert,…