A Dance with the Devil

Chapter 3: A Dance with the Devil

Isla barely made it through the rest of her shift at Inferno.

Luca’s warning played on repeat in her head.

"You don’t belong here. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you won’t win."

He was suspicious. Maybe he didn’t know the full extent of her deception, but he knew enough to keep an eye on her.

And that was dangerous.

She couldn’t afford mistakes.

The moment her shift ended, she disappeared into the employee break room, her hands gripping the sink as she stared at her reflection.

Bella Caruso. That’s who she was now. Not Isla Romano. Not the daughter of a man murdered by the DeLucas.

She forced a deep breath. Stay focused. Stay in control.

Then, the door creaked open behind her.

She stiffened, already knowing who it was before she turned.

Luca.

His presence filled the small space like a storm cloud, his dark eyes unreadable.

"You didn’t listen," he murmured, leaning against the doorframe.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "About what?"

His expression didn’t change. "I told you to stay away from Dante."

She let out a soft laugh, crossing her arms. "I was doing my job."

Luca took a slow step forward. "Girls like you don’t last long around him."

Her heart pounded, but she kept her mask in place. "Girls like me?"

Luca’s gaze flickered over her, sharp as a blade. "Girls who think they can play in his world without getting burned."

The words sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.

He knew something. Maybe not everything. But enough.

She needed to get out of here.

"Are we done here?" she asked, her voice steady.

Luca studied her for a long moment, then gave a slow nod. "For now."

Then he was gone, leaving behind a silence that felt suffocating.

Isla let out a shaky breath.

She needed to be more careful.

But as she stepped out of the break room and headed toward the exit, she realized something chilling.

Luca wasn’t the only one waiting for her.

Dante stood near the doorway, his arms crossed, a slow smirk curling his lips.

"Leaving so soon, Bella?"

Her stomach tightened.

She forced herself to keep walking, but Dante stepped into her path, blocking her way.

"You’ve been avoiding me," he said, voice low.

She arched a brow. "I’ve been working."

Dante chuckled, but there was no warmth in it. "Is that what you call it?"

She met his gaze head-on. "Is there something you need, Mr. DeLuca?"

His eyes darkened. "Say my name."

She blinked, caught off guard. "Excuse me?"

His smirk deepened. "Say it."

A challenge.

A game.

She hated that her pulse quickened.

"Dante," she murmured.

Satisfaction flickered across his face. "Much better."

The air between them grew thick, charged.

This was dangerous. She needed to end this now.

"If that’s all—" she started, but Dante took a step closer, crowding her space.

"You intrigue me, Bella." His voice was velvet and steel. "And I don’t like mysteries."

She swallowed. "I’m not a mystery."

Dante’s hand lifted, and for a terrifying second, she thought he would touch her.

But he didn’t.

His fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face, slow and deliberate.

"Then why do I feel like I need to unravel you?"

Every alarm in her head screamed.

She needed to leave.

Now.

With every ounce of control, she stepped back, breaking the moment.

"Good night, Mr. DeLuca."

His smirk didn’t falter, but there was something darker behind his eyes now.

Something possessive.

Something dangerous.

She turned and walked away, feeling his gaze burn into her back.

And she knew.

This wasn’t the last time Dante DeLuca would test her.

This was just the beginning.

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End of Chapter 3