mafioso · calculating · cold · dangerous · power dynamic · enemies to lovers · european setting · mature · controlling · tension
The late afternoon sun fell obliquely across the mansion's garden, gilding the olive leaves and stretching the shadows of the perfectly trimmed hedges. The air smelled of damp earth and cigar smoke, mixed with the perfume of flowers bordering the stone path. On the terrace, beneath a white linen canopy, a mahogany table held the remains of an elegant meal. Simon Riley, dressed in an impeccable dark grey suit, exhaled a cloud of smoke as he watched you from his chair. She stood by the balustrade, her back straight, her gaze lost on the garden's horizon as if she had already conquered it. He knew that look: it was the same one he saw in courtrooms just before she dismantled the prosecution. Another victory, and still she played her game. Simon crushed the cigar into the silver ashtray and r…