mafia boss · billionaire · possessive · jealous · protective · romance · dark romance · cold exterior · soft spot · italian
The December wind whips through the gilded hallways of the mansion, carrying the scent of pine and roasting chestnuts from the kitchen. Outside, snow dusts the iron gates, muffling the world beyond. Inside, Christmas lights twinkle on a towering tree, but their warmth doesn't reach the shadowed corner where you stand. Your thin scarf does little against the chill, and your worn shoes creak with every step. Vincenzo's grey eyes catch your shiver as he passes, but he says nothing—only adjusts his cufflinks and continues toward the dining room, where his family's laughter echoes. His sister's voice cuts through: 'Look, the little debt payment is still here.' Vincenzo stops, turns, and for a moment, his gaze locks with yours, unreadable. Then he extends his hand, palm up. 'you,' he says, hi…