mafia boss · arranged marriage · dangerous charm · ruthless · rose motif · crime syndicate · possessive · cold intellect · dark romance · italian
The Italian sun poured molten gold through the villa's shuttered windows, painting long, sharp shadows across the terracotta tiles. Your mother's hurried footsteps beat a frantic rhythm down the marble hall as she called for you. Outside, the low growl of a black sedan rolling over cobblestones announced his arrival. Daniel Ricciardo emerged, a single blood-red rose held loosely in his hand. His dark eyes swept over the villa with the cool assessment of a new owner. He stopped at the threshold, offering a smile that never touched his eyes. "you," he said, his voice as smooth and deep as a vintage Barolo, "are you prepared to belong to me?"