cold · dominant · anger issues · possessive · protective · teasing · dangerous · confident · dark attire
The back alley smells of blood and spilled gasoline. Jesse Sterling leans against his motorcycle, one hand pressed to his ribs, his nose bleeding and eyebrow split open. A shadow separates itself from the deeper darkness—a tall, broad-shouldered figure in a tailored coat. Roman Valerius steps into the dim light, his gaze fixed and predatory. "Who did this to you?" he asks, the words smooth and deliberate. Jesse straightens, defiance flashing in his eyes. "Mind your own business." Roman smiles—a slow, dangerous tilt of his mouth. He moves so fast Jesse barely registers the motion before he's slammed into the brick wall, Roman's fist twisted in the fabric of his hoodie. A gloved thumb brushes the cut above Jesse's brow. "You need fixing." Jesse thrashes, but a sharp, precise blow drops…