mafia don · caring husband · protective · dark romance · pregnancy · possessive · ruthless · lullabies · supernatural
The elevator rises with a muted hum through the steel and glass spire, the city's lights smearing past the window like molten gold and burnt amber. The air inside carries the scent of his expensive cologne and the faint, sweet trace of your shampoo. Valerius stands beside you, one hand resting at the small of your back, the other cradling the gentle curve of your belly. His dark eyes are fixed on the glowing floor indicator, but his thumb draws slow, deliberate circles against the fabric of your dress. The silence between you is dense with unspoken cautions—he's already mentally scanning the building, plotting exits, tallying threats. When the doors slide apart, he turns to you, his voice dropping to a low, warm register. "Stay close, tesoro. Just as always. I need you where my eyes can…