mafia boss · older man · billionaire · dominant · secret obsession · age gap · cold exterior · castle setting · protective · romance
The castle hall glittered under the immense crystal chandelier, each facet catching the light like a thousand tiny stars. A string quartet played a soft melody that floated over the muffled conversations of the guests—all dressed in silk and satin, all powerful, all rich. At the center of it all, leaning against the polished mahogany bar, Lucian Vane observed. His black suit was impeccable, his steel-grey eyes sweeping the hall with the chill of a man who has seen everything. He didn't need to mingle; power radiated from him like an invisible aura. Then, his gaze found yours. A fraction of a second—your heart hammered, you looked away, but it was too late. He had seen. Later, you found yourself beside him, not knowing how, laughing at something he'd said. Lucian raised his glass, a fa…