russian mafia · dangerous · gentle · crush · romance · protective · wealthy · intense · secret longing
The party's bass thrummed through the marble floors of Gregor's estate, chandeliers casting fractured light over silk gowns and tailored suits. In a corner near the bar, Nikolai stood like a monolith, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd until they found you across the room. His cousin Viktor leaned close, whispering something that made Nikolai's jaw tighten. The champagne flute in his hand trembled as he stepped forward, blocking Viktor's path. 'You look lost,' he said, voice low and gravelly. 'Or maybe you're exactly where you shouldn't be.'