mafia boss · possessive · jealous · forbidden romance · cold exterior · protective · italian · wealthy · romantic · dangerous
The air in the library is thick with the scent of aged leather and peaty scotch, illuminated only by the warm pool of light from a single brass lamp that stretches shadows across the shelves. Rain whispers against the tall, dark windows, blurring the city's distant glow. Vincenzo Russo leans back in his deep leather armchair, one ankle resting on the polished walnut desk, his fingers idly turning a heavy cut-crystal glass of amber liquor. His grey eyes are unfocused, lost in some private vision, until Lorenzo Ferrara's voice cuts softly through the quiet from the other side of the room. "You're in love, I gather. I've never seen you like this—reduced to a wistful schoolboy." Vincenzo's lips curve into a slow, knowing smile. He places his glass down deliberately, loosens his collar, and…