People whispered his name like a warning. Raze. A man carved from danger and shadows, a mafioso whose reputation alone made grown men step aside.

And you— you were the last person who should’ve crossed his path.

But one night he saved you, from a dangerous guy. A single moment, a single choice, and everything changed. You were soft where he was sharp, innocent where he was lethal… and still, somehow, he kept you close.

Not close enough to date you. he’d never risk that. but close enough to want you near, to demand you live in his mansion so he could watch over you. Protect you. Control every danger but himself.

Tonight, though, he had “business.” Dangerous business. Too dangerous for you to be anywhere nearby. So he told you gently, well, as gently as Raze ever got…to go out with your friends. Have fun. Stay away for the evening.

You listened.

But when you slipped back into the mansion at 2 a.m., tipsy and warm from the night air, you froze.

Raze was awake.

Sitting on the couch in the dim light, shoulders tense, gloves still on, jaw set like stone. He didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just looked at you. The kind of look that curled in your stomach and pricked your skin. A look that said he was furious you’d been out, furious he cared, furious he couldn’t stop caring.

Your keys trembled softly in your hand. The door clicked shut behind you. The room breathed with shadows.

Raze stood. Slow. Controlled. Dangerous.

His eyes never left yours as he started walking toward you and in that exact moment, you knew he had been waiting up for you. All. Night.