Dante’s POVLucas was tense. His fingers curled into fists on his lap, his gaze shifting between me and the gun on the table. I leaned back in my chair, exuding the kind of calm that should terrify a man in his position.“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” I said smoothly, my fingers tapping against the wooden surface. “Your choice.”He swallowed hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”I smiled. “Wrong answer.”Reaching for the gun, I let my fingers wrap around the grip, lifting it just enough to make my point. I didn’t have to aim it. Just the weight of it in my hand was enough to drain the color from his face.Lucas had been with me for five years. I had taken him in when he had nothing, after his parents died and the world turned its back on him. I fed him, clothed him, trained him. Without me, he would’ve been another nobody lost in the streets. He owed me everything.And yet, he had the audacity to hesitate.“Lucia,” I said, voice cold and unyielding. “What has
Lucia’s POVI stood outside Dante’s office, my fingers curled into fists at my sides. This was a risk, but I had to take it.I inhaled slowly before knocking. There was no response, but I knew better than to hesitate. I pushed it open, stepping inside.He sat behind his desk, dark eyes lifting to meet mine as if he had been expecting me. He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “To what do I owe the pleasure, cara?”Dante’s voice was smooth, but there was a glint of something else in his eyes—curiosity, perhaps. Or amusement.I kept my posture straight, refusing to let him unnerve me. “I want to see my father.”He exhaled slowly, tapping his fingers against the desk. “And why should I allow that?”“I haven’t asked for much since I got here.” I met his gaze, keeping my voice even. “I just want to check on him.”His expression didn’t change. No immediate refusal, no amused smirk. He just watched me, unreadable as ever.Then, to my utter shock, he nodded. “Alright.”I blin
Lucia’s POV Daniel looked the same yet different. His sharp blue eyes still held that familiar intensity, but there was something else now, something weary. His dark hair was slightly longer, and a light layer of scruff covered his jaw, as if he hadn’t shaved in days. He looked… different. Rough. But none of that mattered.I couldn’t stop myself. Before I knew it, I was moving, closing the distance between us.His familiar scent of pine and musk wrapped around me, grounding me in a way I hadn’t felt in so long. His arms tightened around me, strong and sure, as if he was afraid to let go.“Lucia…” His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.I buried my face in his shoulder, gripping his jacket like it was the only thing keeping me standing. “I missed you,” I breathed.He exhaled sharply, pulling back just enough to cup my face between his hands. His blue eyes searched mine, a flicker of something raw and desperate crossing his features. “I got your note,” he said, his thumb brushin
Dante’s POVLucia hesitated in the doorway. I saw the way her fingers curled slightly, the way her shoulders stiffened, like a thief caught in the act.She met my gaze, her expression carefully neutral. “Fine.”“Fine,” I echoed, rolling the word over my tongue like a sip of aged whiskey. It tasted like a lie. “Is that all?”She remained standing, hands at her sides, her nails digging slightly into her palms. Defiant, but nervous. A contradiction that only made her more intriguing.“What do you mean?”I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I was just wondering,” I murmured, tilting my head slightly. “If you had anything to say that I don’t already know.”Her lips parted for a second before she caught herself. Then, she lifted her chin, forcing an air of nonchalance. “There’s nothing to say.”A slow smirk curled my lips. “Nothing at all?”Her silence was more telling than an admission.I knew she had met someone. Spoken to someone. That much was obvious. But how much did she
Dante’s POV The room felt suffocating. The dim light from my desk lamp made shadows stretch across the walls, distorting the faces in the framed photos. My fingers brushed the only picture I had of my father. His cold eyes stared back, frozen in time. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. Everything was falling apart. Failed deliveries. Attacks on my warehouses. Rats scurrying in the dark, feeding my enemies information. And now, Daniel being Lucia’s fiancée. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she was still a virgin despite being engaged to Daniel. Or had I been mistaken? My grip tightened on the frame as I exhaled sharply. What would you have done? I wanted to ask my father. Would he have slaughtered every traitor, or would he have let the empire burn just to rebuild it stronger? I reached for my phone, scrolling to Gabriel Rucci’s number. He had been a mentor, a guiding force when I took over the family. One call, and he’d tell me exactly what to
Dante’s POV I let out a slow breath, rolling my shoulders to shake off the tension. I had more important matters to deal with. I crossed the room and poured myself another drink, but just as I brought the glass to my lips, my phone buzzed on the desk. I grabbed it, already expecting bad news, but instead, what I saw made me pause. A news article, no, an entire exposé was spreading like wildfire across the media. ‘Dante Romano: The Enigmatic Philanthropist Behind the Shadows.’ I frowned, opening the link. The article painted me as some kind of misunderstood hero. A businessman with a dark past who had turned his wealth into something noble. Generous donations. Secret charity work. Support for orphanages and struggling communities. I let out a sharp laugh. This was bullshit. I had never, in my entire life, been painted as anything other than a criminal. The media loved to throw my name in the dirt, feeding the world’s hunger for scandal. But this? This was an entirely new narra
Lucia’s POV The call came just after Dante left. I had been sitting in Dante’s office, scrolling through the aftermath of my carefully crafted media spin. It had worked better than expected. The internet was eating up the new narrative, and even the more skeptical outlets were starting to shift their stance. It was amusing, really. A few well-placed articles, some strategic donations, and suddenly, the devil of Palermo was being rebranded as a misunderstood saint. Not that Dante seemed particularly grateful. The way he had confronted me earlier, suspicion sharp in his eyes, had sent a thrill down my spine. He had known it was me. Seen straight through the careful deception. And yet, he hadn’t shut it down. Because some part of him felt good about it. But before I could dwell on it any further, my phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. Daniel. I hesitated for a moment before answering. “What?” “Meet me.” His voice was clipped, urgent. “It’s about Vincenzo.” I sighed, glan
Lucia’s POVThe cool night air hit me as I stepped outside, my pulse racing. I pulled out my phone and dialed Lucas.He picked up on the second ring. “Lucia?”“I need a ride,” I whispered, glancing over my shoulder. The hotel lobby was quiet, but I didn’t want to risk Daniel trailing behind me.He paused. Then, “Where are you?”I gave him the name of the hotel, hurrying toward the street. I had no money, no car, and no plan except getting the hell out of there. Lucas didn’t ask questions.Within fifteen minutes, a sleek white car pulled up, and I slid into the passenger seat, my hands gripping my dress. Lucas didn’t say a word at first, just pulled away from the curb, his sharp gaze flicking to me more than once.Then, finally, he exhaled. “What the hell were you thinking?”I stared out the window, my pulse still unsteady. “I needed to leave.”“No shit,” he muttered, his hands tightening on the wheel. “You realize Dante will have your head on his plate when he finds out you snuck out,
Lucia’s POVHis hand tightened in my hair—not harshly, just enough to guide me. Then he started moving my head for me slowly, setting the pace. I relaxed, letting him lead, and finally I felt it. The tension in his body. The soft sound that escaped his throat. I was doing it right.And this time, I didn’t stop.I glanced up through my lashes. His jaw was tight, hand clenched at his side, and his eyes had gone darker, more focused. Still calm, still in control but barely.I sucked in my cheeks, taking him deeper, my hands pressing against his thighs for balance. His fingers tightened, hips giving a slow, involuntary thrust into my mouth. A quiet groan rumbled from his chest, like it had slipped out against his will.“Just like that,” he muttered, voice tight. “Don’t stop.”I didn’t.His breathing turned heavier, shoulders rigid now. I felt the way his body coiled, straining like he was holding back something primal.“You want to take it?” he asked, voice rough, breathless. “Or do I pul
Lucia’s POVThe second I heard the door click open, I straightened from where I’d been curled up by the window. Dante stepped in, his eyes scanning the room before settling on me. Something shifted in his face when he saw me waiting.Like I was his reward.Without a word, he locked the door and began to unbutton his shirt, his eyes never leaving mine. I swallowed thickly, my breath caught somewhere between anticipation and awe.“You’re quiet,” he said, voice low.“I was waiting.”“For what?”“For you.”A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Say that again.”“I was waiting for you, Dante.”He crossed the room in two strides, yanking me into his arms before I could take another breath. His mouth crashed onto mine, demanding, unrelenting, like the night before hadn’t been enough.It hadn’t been. Not for either of us.This time, he was rougher. His hands greedy, his grip tighter. He pulled me to the bed, turned me around, and bent me over the edge, my gasp swallowed by the mattress as his palm pres
Lucia’s POVSomething warm and delicious filled the air, nudging me awake. I blinked slowly, sunlight pooling through the sheer curtains like warm silk across my bare skin.I shifted slightly and winced, a soft soreness pulsing between my thighs. My muscles were stiff, hips sore from how he’d held me, pinned me, claimed me. Even the skin at my neck throbbed faintly where his mouth had been.I reached for the edge of the sheet and wrapped it tightly around my chest before sitting up, my body slow to obey. The cotton scraped over sensitized skin, and I flinched—then stilled as I turned, expecting to find cold sheets and an empty bed, but instead—There he was.Dante.In nothing but black slacks, barefoot, holding a silver tray in his hands like he wasn’t one of the most dangerous man in Chicago.“You brought me breakfast?” I asked, my voice still thick with sleep and disbelief.“I wasn’t sure what you liked,” he said, setting the tray on the nightstand with surprising care. “I’ve never
Dante’s POVI stood there, frozen, my hand still cupping her delicate face. Her words replayed in my head like a song I never wanted to end.“I want this. With you, Dante.”Her voice was soft, but there was no mistaking the determination in it. She wasn’t asking. She wasn’t second-guessing herself. She was choosing me. And it scared the hell out of me because I knew once I touched her, once I took her… there would be no going back.I searched her eyes for hesitation, for a crack, for even the faintest tremor of uncertainty. I found none. Just that steady, aching need—mirroring my own.“Lucia…” I breathed out, almost brokenly.She didn’t wait for me to finish. Her fingers, trembling but insistent, returned to my belt. I caught her hands briefly, giving her one last chance to change her mind. She shook her head once, a small but powerful gesture, before she worked my belt open and tugged at my trousers, letting them fall to the floor with a soft thud.She stepped back toward the bed, he
Dante’s POV She swallowed hard, her jaw trembling as she closed her eyes. I moved closer and sat on the edge her bed. “He… he betrayed me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “He was using me. I was just… I wonder if he even loves me. He’s been lying to me.” Her hands clenched around the fabric of her dress, and I could see her fighting back tears. I hated seeing her like this. It was like watching someone lose themselves. But she wasn’t ready to let go completely yet. “I ended it with him,” she added, her words heavy with finality, but there was pain behind them. “I couldn’t… I couldn’t let him do this to me anymore.” I watched her, processing what she said. Then my gaze dropped to her left hand, and I saw the absence of the ring. She really wasn’t wearing it anymore. I moved closer, keeping my tone soft. “You ended it with him,” I repeated, almost to myself. She nodded, her eyes finally meeting mine, but she didn’t offer more. I exhaled slowly, trying to keep my emotio
Dante’s POV The moment the car rolled back into the estate and Lucia wasn’t in it with me, I felt that gnawing undercurrent of something not right. It wasn’t just her pale face or the way her voice had lost its edge. It was the way she looked at me like she was drowning and didn’t want to be saved. Something happened tonight. And I was going to find out what. The second I stepped into the mansion, I found Lucas waiting in the hall and I didn’t waste time. I slammed him against the wall. “What the fuck has she been doing the past few days?” He didn’t even flinch, which pissed me off more. “Sir—she hasn’t gone anywhere without clearance. She only visited her father once. That’s all. I swear it.” My hand tightened on his collar. “You’re sure?” Lucas nodded, voice flat. “She’s under constant surveillance, Dante. We’d know if something was wrong.” I stared into his eyes for another long second before shoving him back. He straightened his jacket like I hadn’t just manhandled him,
Lucia’s POV The venue glimmered like something out of a dream or a very well-funded lie. Crystal chandeliers hung from ceilings so high they could scrape heaven. Women in fancy dresses moved through the room like ghosts dipped in gold, while men in dark suits stood around the edges with whiskey in one hand, secrets in the other. Soft buzzes from security earpieces filled the air.I stood near the bar, pretending to sip champagne. I hadn’t taken more than two mouthfuls. My stomach was still knotted from what I’d learned days ago.Betrayal tasted like blood at the back of my throat and no matter how much champagne I drank, I couldn’t get rid of it. It ruined everything, turning something sweet into something so bitter and rotten.Dante was busy speaking to a cluster of high-ranking Mafia associates near the grand piano, his jaw tight and gestures sharp. His dark eyes scanned the room constantly, every movement like a predator calculating its next strike. I watched him and couldn’t help
Lucia’s POVThe message came at 5:13 a.m., the screen lightening up in the early dawn light like a warning I should’ve taken more seriously.“Meet me at 8. It’s urgent. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t. Same spot as before. – D”I stared at it longer than I should have, my thumb hovering over the keyboard, then pulling back. My stomach coiled with uncertainty.After a long time, I decided I had to see him.I didn’t tell anyone I was leaving. Not Dante. Not Lucas. Not even the maid who always insisted on bringing me coffee and watching for the slightest crack in my expression. I slipped out of the mansion before the sun could fully rise, a scarf wrapped around my neck and a hoodie pulled over my head like I was trying to disappear.Dante had paid me generously for my work as his accountant, so I had more than enough to get a cab now. The air outside bit at my skin. Chicago was never gentle, not even in April. I decided to take the train instead of calling a car, it was safer that way. No t
Dante’s POV The cigarette burned between my fingers, the nicotine barely touching the storm inside me. I stared at Gabriel like I was trying to piece together a puzzle I never asked for. He looked the same. Dark trench coat, polished shoes, and a smugness that could outlast the cold wind slapping Chicago’s streets. Always watching. Always waiting. “What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, flicking ash onto the sidewalk. He straightened, stepped forward with a relaxed elegance that only made me more paranoid. “Looking out for you.” I narrowed my eyes. “You following me now?” “No.” He shrugged. “Just… keeping tabs. There’s a difference.” My jaw tensed. “I don’t need babysitting.” Gabriel chuckled. “You always say that. Even when your world’s on fire.” “I’ve got it under control.” “Do you?” he asked, voice dipping low with implication. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like your kingdom’s got more than a few cracks.” My spine went rigid. He raised his h