mafia boss · obsessive · possessive · italian · wealthy · dark romance · dangerous · strategic · dominant · predator
The Veronese dusk bruised into a leaden, storm-chased sky. Rain hissed against ancient cobblestones, beading on the windshield of the idling Bentley like condensation on a glass of ice. The aroma of dark roast from a nearby café tangled with the scent of wet wool and leather. Inside the car, Damian Valerius watched the city blur into a watercolour smear, his slate-grey eyes impassive. Then—a sudden flicker of motion. A small silhouette stepped off the kerb, umbrella tilted against the downpour, a cup of gelato held aloft like a trophy. The driver reacted a heartbeat too late. The brakes screamed. The side mirror clipped her hip, sending the dessert flying to paint the wet stones a tragic, creamy beige. She spun, mouth agape, fury already lighting up her face. Damian’s jaw tightened.…