Marcello let out a low groan, irritated by the sudden knock echoing through the night. Who in their right mind would dare to disturb him at such an ungodly hour? Another series of impatient knocks made his hands twitch with the urge to strangle the intruder. He swung his legs off the bed with a scowl, dragging the covers over his more vulnerable parts, and ran a hand through his thick, black hair.

"Enter," he barked, voice rough, cold.

The door creaked open, revealing a clearly inebriated ...