Chapter 2 – Come To The Penthouse

Iris Pov

The time was 7 pm on a Friday. Iris was glad she didn’t have to go to work tomorrow. If only she knew her life was about to change that weekend.

Iris dropped her bag on the couch and kicked off her heels, sighing at the silence of her loft. She was halfway to pouring a glass of wine when someone knocked. She went to answer the door and saw an envelope lying on the floor. There was no return address.

Her fingers trembled as she tore it open.

SUBPOENA. Federal court. They were investigating her father’s “involvement” with the Moretti family. If he didn’t appear, he could be arrested. And if the press got wind of it, her career would burn too. Her phone buzzed before she could think, but it was not a saved number.

“Ey-ris.” Dante’s voice filled the speakers.

She swallowed hard. “This isn’t funny. I just got a subpoena.”

“I know,” he said calmly. “A leak. A little push to remind you what’s at stake.”

Her knees weakened, and she sank onto the couch. “You did this?”

“I can make it disappear,” Dante replied. “But not over the phone. You’ll come to me. Tonight.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then by morning, every paper in New York will have your father’s name on the front page.”

She stared at the subpoena again, bile rising in her throat. She wanted to scream, to curse him, but the clock was already ticking. “How do I even get to you?” she whispered.

 “I’ll send a car. Don’t keep me waiting. And bring a pen.”

*****

“Right on schedule,” Dante Moretti said to Iris as she stepped out of the elevator to his penthouse.

Iris planted her hands on her hips. “Don’t start with that charm thing. I’m not interested.”

He raised one brow. “Noted. But you are here. So we might as well talk about the contract.”

“I am here,” she said, pointing at the envelope in her hand like it was a weapon. “Because apparently, your great plan was to annoy me by showing up. Congratulations. I’m here. Happy now?”

Dante chuckled softly, “Something like that,” he said, leaning casually against the bar. “Sit.”

“I’m not sitting,” she said, crossing her arms. “Not until you tell me why I shouldn’t call the police and have you arrested.”

“You don’t truly think that I don’t have connections. Do you know what happens to some of my men you convict? They are sprouting in less than two months. I own this city, Eyris,” he said, shrugging as if it were the most casual thing in the world.

She huffed and dropped onto the edge of a chair, glaring at him. “I don’t care how many connections you have. You are blackmailing me, and you’re using the police.”

Dante stepped closer, pacing slowly, hands clasped behind his back. He looked at her like he was studying a puzzle he couldn’t wait to solve. “You’ll understand soon. The marriage isn’t about feelings. I am only doing this because you refuse to stop sending my men to prison, and that is not good for business. My men need to know that you are no longer a threat.”

“I see,” she said dryly, rolling her eyes. “So my life becomes a chess piece to your empire.”

“Not a chess piece,” he corrected, leaning closer until she could only smell his cologne. “With you on my side, I am covered legally. My current lawyers need to be fired.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Everything you’ve worked for, destroyed. Your father’s secrets revealed. Your reputation is obliterated. You know I’m not bluffing.” He glanced at the envelope.

She pressed her fingers to her lips, trying to steady her racing heart. And then, the other part of reality hit her. She was halfway in debt. Her job paid well, but she had student loans to pay off and the credit card debt piling up faster than she could manage. She could not lose her career. It was her life.

“Fine,” she said finally. “One year. But only because I have to. Don’t think this gives you… anything.”

Dante’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, but his smile was subtle. “I’m aware.”

She slid the contract across the glass table. “Here. Happy now?”

He flipped through the pages casually, watching her reaction the entire time.  “You’re angry,” he said softly, almost conversationally. “I can feel it.”

“Angry? I’m furious,” she said, folding her arms tightly.

He chuckled, leaning closer, close enough that her pulse spiked. “Yes. And I like it. It means you care, which makes you… more interesting. Eyris.”

Iris felt a mix of rage and fascination. She wanted to push him away, but part of her was undeniably aware of how close he was, how commanding, how impossible to ignore.

She tried to regain control, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Don’t get any ideas, Moretti. I signed because I have to. Not because I trust you. Not because I like you. Not because…” She swallowed, realizing the words wouldn’t come. “Not because I want to.”

“Of course. Strategic. But also… thrilling.”

Iris scowled. “Thrilling, huh? That’s your word for terrorizing me?”

There was a brief pause, and then he straightened, offering a hand. She ignored it, but he didn’t move away. “Remember, Iris… this is only the beginning. One year. That’s all. But I know you… Your pride, your anger… all of it will make this… intriguing.”

She pressed her lips together, trying to keep her composure. “We’re not sleeping in the same room.”

“As you wish, Eyris.” His stubble brushed against her cheek as she pulled away from her, and she felt a thrill run through her.

This is going to be… hell. Iris thought to herself.