"Why should I be quiet?" she scoffed, glancing at my older sister, who was smirking into her wine glass. "You could have married a wealthy CEO. Instead, you brought home this... this mechanic."
My older brother, Victor, laughed loudly. He crumpled his silk napkin and threw it across the table. It bounced off Julian's shoulder. "Hey, dog. Since you're practically the help anyway, go fetch me a beer from the kitchen."
I wanted to scream at them. I wanted to flip the table. But I couldn't. My father was already furious tonight, and I didn't want to make it worse.
Julian finally looked up. His eyes, usually so soft and quiet, locked onto Victor's. For a split second, a chill ran down my spine. It was a look so dark, so incredibly dangerous, that the room went dead silent. It wasn't the look of a weak mechanic. It was the look of a predator sizing up its prey.
But just as fast as it appeared, it was gone. Julian smiled gently and wiped his mouth. "Of course," he said softly, his voice calm. He stood up and walked toward the kitchen.
My family snickered as soon as he was out of earshot. "I swear, Chloe, he's brainwashed you," my mother muttered. "He's a nobody. A ghost."
I bit my tongue and said nothing. They didn't know the truth. Nobody did.
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors of the dining room burst open.
My father's personal assistant, a man who never showed emotion, stumbled inside. He was pale, sweating profusely, and shaking like a leaf.
"Sir," the assistant stammered, looking at my father. "The... the Blackwood Syndicate. They're here. They've surrounded the mansion."
The room went entirely silent. The name 'Blackwood' was a legend in this city. They were the most ruthless, untouchable mafia organization in the country. If they were here, it meant death.
My father dropped his glass of whiskey. It shattered against the marble floor. "What? No! I paid them! I gave them the money I owed!" he shouted, panic rising in his voice.
Before the assistant could answer, the windows shattered.
Masked men dressed in black tactical gear flooded into the room, holding assault rifles. My mother and sister screamed, jumping out of their chairs. Victor raised his hands in the air, trembling.
A tall, terrifying man stepped through the broken glass. He wore a tailored black suit and a silver ring on his thumb. The leader.
"Mr. Sterling," the leader said, his voice cold as ice as he looked at my father. "The boss doesn't appreciate being cheated. You tried to hide your assets. Now, you pay the price."
My father fell to his knees. "Please! I have daughters! Take whatever you want, just don't hurt us!"
The mafia leader smirked, lifting his gun and pointing it directly at my father's head. I froze in pure terror. I couldn't breathe.
At that exact moment, the kitchen door swung open.
Julian walked out, casually holding a bottle of beer. He stopped, looking at the armed men, the shattered glass, and my kneeling father. He didn't look scared. He looked annoyed.
"Julian, get down!" I screamed, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Run!"
But Julian didn't run. He just sighed, set the beer down on the dining table, and looked at the mafia leader.
"Put the gun down, Marcus," Julian said.
His voice was completely different. It wasn't soft or quiet anymore. It was commanding. Heavy. The voice of a man used to giving orders.
The mafia leader froze. His hand started to tremble. Slowly, he turned his head toward Julian. The color drained from his face, leaving him looking like he had just seen a ghost.
The leader dropped his gun. It clattered loudly against the floor.
Then, to the absolute horror of my family, the leader of the Blackwood Syndicate fell to his knees. He bowed his head all the way to the marble floor.
"Forgive me, Boss," the leader whispered, his whole body shaking. "I didn't know you were here."
My family gasped. My mother's jaw hit the floor.
I stared at the man I married. The man they called a worthless dog.
Julian walked slowly toward the leader, his footsteps echoing in the silent room. He looked down at the kneeling man, his eyes as cold and dark as a winter night.
"I said," Julian repeated, his voice sending a shiver down my spine. "Put the gun down."