CHAPTER FOUR:- THE WEIGHT OF A CHOICE

The room felt heavier, as if the walls were closing in.

Dante stood in the doorway, the smirk on his lips unwavering. The small black USB drive in his hand was no bigger than a fingertip, yet it held enough power to make even Leonardo DeLuca hesitate.

Amara saw it—the flicker in Leonardo’s gaze, the tightening of his jaw. Whatever was on that drive, it wasn’t just leverage. It was a THREAT. A real one.

Leonardo turned to her, his fingers still wrapped around her wrist, his touch a stark contrast to the war brewing between them.

Then, with a voice like a blade against silk, he asked, *“Is there something I should know, Amara?”*

It wasn’t a question. It was an accusation.

Her pulse spiked. “I don’t know what’s on that drive.”

She wasn’t lying. Not really.

But Leonardo didn’t like unknowns. He didn’t like uncertainty. And right now, she was BOTH.

Dante sighed dramatically. “Oh, Amara. I’d be hurt if I didn’t know you better.” He twirled the USB drive between his fingers. “Tell him, TESORO.”

Her stomach knotted at the pet name.

Leonardo went still.

Amara barely had time to react before he moved—faster than she thought possible, slamming Dante against the nearest wall, one hand wrapped around his throat while the other pressed a gun against his ribs.

The entire room tensed.

Dante just chuckled, unfazed. “Ah, there’s the DeLuca I know. The possessive bastard who hates it when someone touches his things.”

Leonardo didn’t loosen his grip. “You’re running out of time to explain.”

Dante’s smile widened. He lifted the USB drive between two fingers, tapping it against Leonardo’s wrist. “Let her go, and I won’t expose what’s on here.”

“Expose to who?” Leonardo’s voice was dangerously low.

Dante’s gaze darkened. “The world.”

Silence.

And then—Leonardo laughed. Not out of amusement, but something far more dangerous. Something cold.

“You really think I make decisions based on *threats*?” Leonardo murmured, pressing the barrel harder against Dante’s ribs.

Dante exhaled, as if bored. “No. I think you make them based on HER.”

Leonardo didn’t reply.

And that silence?

It said *everything*.

Amara’s chest tightened.

She wasn’t naive—she knew she was important to Leonardo, but this? *This* was different.

Dante saw it too. “You can’t protect her from this, DeLuca.” His smirk was gone now, his voice lowering. “No matter how much you want to.”

Leonardo’s hand flexed. He was considering pulling the trigger.

Amara didn’t know what scared her more—the idea that he WOULD, or the idea that he WOULDN'T.

Because if Leonardo killed Dante, that meant there were no negotiations. No deals. No way out.

And if he *didn’t*…

Then what was on that drive might destroy *both* of them.

“Think fast,” Dante whispered.

Leonardo did.

With one swift move, he snatched the USB drive from Dante’s fingers and shoved him backward.

Dante stumbled but recovered quickly, adjusting his suit like nothing had happened. “Hmm. Impulsive choice,” he mused. “Not like you.”

Leonardo pocketed the drive. “I don’t need to be predictable.”

Dante smirked. “Then I suppose I’ll see you soon.” He turned to Amara, gaze sweeping over her. “And you… well, I hope you’re ready for what comes next.”

She didn’t flinch. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

Instead, she met his gaze and smiled—cold and sharp. “I always am.”

Dante chuckled. “Oh, I LIKE you.” Then he was gone, his footsteps fading into the night.

The moment the door shut, Leonardo exhaled slowly.

Amara should have been relieved. She should have been grateful he didn’t let Dante take her.

Instead, she turned to him, arms crossed. “Are you going to tell me what’s on that drive?”

Leonardo met her gaze, unreadable. Then, without a word, he walked to his desk, sat down, and inserted the USB drive into his laptop.

Amara moved closer, her stomach twisting. Whatever was on that screen… it was about to change EVERYTHING.

And for the first time, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know.

---