Chapter 5

Emily's POV

The encounter from the previous day had left me uneasy. I tried my best to act normal, but my heart refused to settle. The more I told myself to calm down, the more I felt like someone's eyes were following me. I became more careful with everything I did, even the smallest things. And most of all, I didn't trust Dante.

There was something about him that never sat right with me. He could be caring one minute and completely unreadable the next. It was all too good to be true.

Maybe that was the point. I had to stay out of his way.

This was only a contract. Nothing more.

Soon, it would be over, and I would disappear into the wind. I would leave this mansion, leave Dante behind, and make sure no one ever found me again.

A knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called softly. The door opened, and one of the maids stepped inside.

“Miss Eva, Master Dante requests your presence in the dining room.” I frowned. 

“Now?” She nodded. I sighed and stood from the bed. What did Dante want this time? The thought of another attack crossed my mind, and my stomach tightened. After everything that had happened, I couldn't convince myself that it was all a coincidence.

Maybe Dante really had a hand in it.

Maybe all his concern for me was nothing but an act. I followed the maid out of the room. When I entered the dining room, Dante was already seated at the far end of the long table. He looked completely relaxed, as though he didn't have a care in the world.

I took the seat at the opposite end, putting as much distance between us as possible. I wasn't about to sit beside a man I suspected of trying to get me killed.

Dinner was served shortly afterward.

For a while, neither of us spoke.

I focused on my food, but I could feel his eyes on me. I ignored him. A few seconds passed. Still, he was watching. I finally lifted my eyes and found him staring directly at me.

“Do you plan to stare at me all night, or do you actually want to eat?” I asked.

His lips twitched.

He didn't answer. Instead, he picked up his glass and took a slow sip while keeping his eyes on me. I narrowed mine. What was so amusing? I reached for my wine and took a drink, trying not to let his behavior get under my skin. Then Dante stood. My entire body stiffened.

He started walking toward me, Why was he coming over here? I glanced around the room. The maid had already left, leaving the two of us alone. My hand slipped beneath the table, and my fingers closed around the small knife I had hidden beside my thigh.

If Dante tried anything, I wouldn't be helpless. He stopped in front of me.

I looked up at him as he leaned closer.

My breathing stopped for a second.

“Isn't it right for me to admire my fiancée?” he murmured, I stared at him. I still wasn't used to hearing him call me that. “You look beautiful.”

For a moment, I didn't know how to respond. Was he serious? Or was he simply trying to get under my skin? I quickly looked away.

“Move.” Instead of listening, he chuckled. Then he straightened and slipped both hands into his pockets.

I watched him carefully. He looked far too amused, Then he turned and walked back toward his seat. I relaxed slightly, but before he sat down, he stopped.

“The only reason I didn't kiss you just now,” he said casually, “is because you're hiding a knife.”My blood ran cold.

He knew,How? I slowly looked back at him. Dante was already sitting down, looking completely unbothered.

“You should behave properly,” he added.

I stared at him across the table.

“You noticed?” A small smile appeared on his face.

“I notice everything.” A strange chill ran through me. A man who noticed everything was dangerous.

Especially a man like Dante, I slowly placed the knife back beneath the table, keeping my gaze fixed on him.

“You really think you're funny, don't you?” I muttered, trying to hide how much he'd unsettled me.

“I think you're nervous.” he murmured 

“I am not.” He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. I looked away, irritated by how easily he seemed to read me.

“I don't trust you.”The amusement disappeared from his face for a brief moment.

“I know.” His voice was quieter this time.

I wasn't expecting that answer.

“You don't have to trust me,” he continued. “But you're going to have to get used to me.” 

I frowned. “Why?”

He leaned back in his chair. “Because you're my fiancée.”

I rolled my eyes. “It's a contract.”

“For now.” His words made me pause.

I looked at him again. He was watching me with an expression I couldn't understand. Then he reached for his glass.

I lowered my gaze to my plate, pretending his words hadn't affected me. But they had, and I hated that. Because the more time I spent around Dante, the harder it became to tell where the contract ended.