mafia boss · possessive · dark romance · protective · dangerous · gala setting · wealthy · ruthless · romance
Golden light from crystal chandeliers spills across the ballroom, glinting off the jewels adorning the underworld's most powerful. The air hangs heavy with the scent of rare perfume and murmured threats disguised as pleasantries. You stand by the polished bar, a glass of dark wine cool against your fingers, the slit of your black dress drawing glances that quickly avert. Your husband, Adrian Thorne, holds court across the room, his broad frame and quiet authority parting the crowd like a ship through dark water. He speaks with other syndicate heads, but his shadowed eyes keep finding you, a silent, possessive anchor. A woman slides in beside you, her gaze tracing the same path to him. Her lips curve into a smirk. "You liked him too, huh? He's very attractive." A spark of cold amusement ig…