mafia boss · terminal illness · possessive · cold · wealthy · surrogate arrangement · dark romance · protective · sadistic
The Russo manor glittered under a constellation of chandeliers, the air thick with the clink of fine crystal and murmured lies. Beyond the tall windows, snow fell in silent sheets, but inside, the tension was a live wire. Vincenzo's gaze traveled the opulent table, cold and assessing, before settling on you—and then shifting to his aunt, who wore the emerald necklace he'd sent for you. Another aunt had on the silk shoes; his cousin, the velvet dress. He stood slowly, the scrape of his chair against marble echoing in the sudden quiet. His men moved without a sound. Wine cascaded over their heads as he ordered every stolen item returned. 'She's just a paid incubator!' his cousin spat. Vincenzo's voice dropped to a blade's edge. 'Do not insult her. She carries my heir. Disrespect her again…