Chapter 4

Dante's POV

She didn't say a word, I stepped out of the secret room, a smirk tugging at my lips as I watched her figure disappear down the hallway. I pulled a cigarette from my pocket, lit it, and took a slow drag, letting the smoke drift into the air. Everything was going exactly as planned. From the moment she stepped into my company, I knew who she was. I had known Emily was alive while everyone else believed she was dead. 

I was the one who had secretly instructed my men to send her an invitation to the company, knowing she would apply for the job. I had planned every step carefully, and now she was exactly where I wanted her.

My gaze returned to the pictures covering the walls. The longer I stared at them, the more memories came rushing back. I couldn't take my eyes off her. There had always been something about Emily that drew me toward her, even when we were children. I didn't realize how long I had remained there until I finally left the secret room.

Emily was lying motionlessly on my bed. I stopped at the doorway, watching her for a moment. She looked nothing like the stubborn woman who had argued with me earlier. She looked peaceful. I walked toward her and slowly raised my hand, reaching for the strand of hair resting against her face.

My fingers were inches away when—

Bang!

A gunshot shattered the silence of the mansion.

Before I could react, Emily's eyes snapped open. Our gazes locked for a brief second before she shoved me away and jumped off the bed.

“What the fuck are you doing, pervert?”

The door suddenly burst open. One of my men stumbled inside, blood trickling down his hand as he desperately held onto his gun. My eyes moved from his face to the weapon. He opened his mouth to speak, but another gunshot rang out. His eyes widened before his body crumpled to the floor.

“Shit!”

I reacted instantly. I snatched the gun from the floor, turned toward the attacker, and fired. The man dropped. I turned back to Emily, who stood near the corner, staring at the body on the floor.

“Don't just stand there. Come behind me.”

I moved toward the doorway, pulling another gun from my side. I cocked it and took a step forward when cold metal pressed against the back of my head.

A smirk slowly spread across my lips, I turned. Emily stood behind me, the gun firmly pressed against my forehead.

“Give me one reason I shouldn't blow your brains out.” She tightened her grip.

I didn't flinch. “Because you need me alive.”

“Oh, please. Don't flatter yourself.” She rolled her eyes and pressed the gun harder against my forehead. “You planned this, didn't you?” My brows drew together.

“You lured me here just to get me killed.”

I slowly raised my hands, still keeping the gun in one of them. “I didn't—”

Another gunshot exploded from outside the room. Emily's attention snapped toward the door.

I moved before she could react, grabbing her wrist and pulling her down just as a bullet tore through the doorway and struck the wall inches above us.

“Are you okay?” She didn't answer. Instead, she raised her gun toward the doorway.

Bang! Bang!

Two shots rang through the room. Two bodies hit the floor. Emily rose to her feet.

“Get behind me,” I ordered.

She looked at me for a moment before walking straight past me. Then she glanced over her shoulder.

“Don't order me around, or the next bullet will be in your body.” A smirk tugged at my lips.

She really was something else.We stepped into the hallway together, only to find a large group of armed men waiting for us.

“Too many,” Emily muttered.

“Scared now?” I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. “I thought you were acting tough.” She shot me an irritated look.

“You take five. I'll take fifteen.” She stared at me for a second before a smirk appeared on her lips.

“You take ten. I'll take ten.” Before I could respond, she was already moving.

The hallway erupted into gunfire. We attacked from opposite sides, taking down the men who rushed toward us. Emily moved quickly, while I dealt with everyone who came within my reach. Neither of us needed to be told where to move. We simply fought.

A bullet struck the wall beside me. I ducked, rolled across the floor, and fired from beneath the table. One of the men dropped before he could fire again. Another rushed toward me from behind, but I turned, knocked his weapon from his hand, and fired before he could recover.

One of the men charged at Emily, knocking the gun from her hand before grabbing her from behind and locking an arm around her neck. He tried to pull her in front of him as a shield.

Emily struggled against his grip. I raised my gun.

Bang!

The man released her and collapsed. I lowered my weapon and looked at Emily.

“Oops. I missed.” I winked.

She rolled her eyes. I turned to walk away, but her voice stopped me.

“Dante.” I looked back, She stood there, her gaze fixed on mine.

“I'll help you. But on one condition.”I raised a brow. “Don't fall in love with me. Don't ever get the idea that we're going to be intimate. Are we clear?” A faint smile spread across my lips.

“If I want to get you all worked up, Emily, it won't take a second.” I stepped closer and gently wiped the blood from her face.

“Deal.” She immediately stepped backward, then turned and walked away.

I watched her disappear up the stairs before letting out a quiet scoff. She had no idea what was coming for her.