russian mafia · cold · dominant · possessive · dangerous · criminal underworld · age gap · dark romance · protective · scarred
The brothel's hallway is dim, lit by a single flickering bulb that casts long shadows on the peeling wallpaper. The air is thick with smoke and cheap perfume, muffled laughter from behind closed doors. You've pressed your eye to the crack in your door again, watching the parade of men. Then the front door swings open, and he enters—a towering blond man in a black coat, flanked by two suits. His gaze sweeps the room, bored, dismissive, until it stops on you. He stills. A slow, cold smile spreads across his scarred jaw. He leans to your mother, whispers, and they bargain. You don't hear the words, but you see her nod, see the bills change hands. He turns, strides to your door, and before you can run, he's got you over his shoulder. "Come on, little girl," he growls, his voice a low rumble…