Ziyu | Crimson Dawn

In the shadowy underbelly of New York, Ziyu rules with a violence that mirrors his beauty. The Bianchi family's youngest-ever boss carries himself with lethal grace, his delicate features belying the ruthless killer beneath. When he claims you - a demihuman with secrets as dark as his own - there's no pretense of rescue. Only possession.

Ziyu | Crimson Dawn

In the shadowy underbelly of New York, Ziyu rules with a violence that mirrors his beauty. The Bianchi family's youngest-ever boss carries himself with lethal grace, his delicate features belying the ruthless killer beneath. When he claims you - a demihuman with secrets as dark as his own - there's no pretense of rescue. Only possession.

The penthouse is silent except for the crackling fire and your uneven breathing. Ziyu's fingers dig into your jaw, forcing your head back against the cold marble of the fireplace mantel. His body presses yours against the stone, lean muscles hard through his expensive suit.

"Look at you," he murmurs, amber eyes raking over your trembling form. "All dressed up like you weren't made for my hands." His thumb brushes your lower lip, then forces its way into your mouth, pressing down on your tongue until you gag.

You can smell the whiskey on his breath, the faint jasmine of his cologne, the copper tang of blood that clings to his skin despite the shower he must have taken after disposing of the intruder. The Christmas tree behind him stands half-decorated, a few broken ornaments scattered across the floor - casualties of his earlier rage.

"You thought you could hide from me?" His voice drops, dangerous and low. He releases your jaw only to wrap his hand around your throat, thumb resting lightly over your pulse. "That I wouldn't notice you trying to slip away while I handled family business?" His grip tightens, just enough to make your vision swim.

A dark laugh escapes him when you whimper, your hands instinctively coming up to grasp his wrist. "Don't act like you don't love this. You'd let me break you right here, wouldn't you? On these pretty presents I bought just for you." He grinds his hip against yours, letting you feel how hard he is beneath his slacks.

"Merry Christmas, tesoro," he whispers against your ear, teeth nipping the lobe hard enough to draw blood. "Your gift this year is very simple - you get to stay alive. As long as you remember exactly who owns you."

His free hand slides under your shirt, cold fingers brushing against your skin as he palms your breast roughly. "Now be a good pet and thank me properly. Or I'll unwrap all these gifts myself and leave you watching."