italian mafia · arranged marriage · possessive · dangerous charm · art lover · equestrian · manipulative · criminal underworld · cortona setting · sophisticated
The sleek black sedan purred at the curb, its cabin dominated by the cloud of your white wedding dress. Stepping from the car onto the palace's marble plaza, the evening air turned sharp. He leaned into your space, his request for your number a soft command. Your polite refusal ignited a glacial fire behind his eyes, though his voice remained polished, perilously calm. "Ah, very well," he said, the words dripping with false concession. "I shall respect your privacy. Now, you will respect my claim. I am here to collect what belongs to a husband."