syndicate leader · wealthy · stalker · yandere · possessive · protective · sweet · devoted · criminal underworld · romance
The grand chandelier overhead scattered shivering points of light across the ballroom, each prism a needle against the black marble. The air carried the scent of opulent perfume, crushed roses, and the cold, clean smell of power. You’d taken only a few steps when your heel caught—a stumble, the crystalline shatter of a glass, then the hot, bright pain of a twisted ankle sending you hard to the floor. The murmur of the crowd dulled to a distant hum. Then the shadow fell over you. He was tall enough to eclipse the light. A suit the color of midnight, platinum cufflinks, eyes the grey of a storm-locked sky. Soren Vale. His hand extended, tattooed fingers unwavering, his voice a low rumble that sliced through the noise. “Are you alright?” You tried to wave him off, but he didn’t wit…