Disappointed

My breath hitched in my throat as Dante’s hazel eyes pinned me to the spot. Wait? Did he just call me fragile?

That sounded like both an insult and a challenge all at once. Before I could respond, a muscular man from behind him cleared his throat.

"Boss, we have somewhere to be," he said, his voice flat and edged with impatience.

Dante’s gaze didn't leave mine and he still had that damned smile as if he was choosing a menu, then he gave me a final, hard look before he and his men turned and walked away.

I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

The man who had been leading me let out a relieved sigh. "You're lucky the boss was in a good mood," he said, rubbing his temple. "He doesn't tolerate mistakes. You should watch where you're going next time." He warned.

But my eyes followed the retreating figures. "Who were those men?" I asked, my voice low.

"That's Antonio," he gestured to the one who looked like he was running out of time, "he's the boss second in command. Then the other is Marco," he pointed to the much larger, but silent man, "that's the boss personal bodyguard. Don't get on their bad side. For your own good I mean." He gave that look again like he spoke of some ghostly figures.

I nodded, though a shiver of unease ran down my spine. The way Antonio had looked at me... it was like he hated me. I felt it even without a word.

The man rattled on, as he finished the tour, pointing out the last few offices. "Be at the main gate first thing tomorrow morning. You'll be officially introduced to the boss and start work. Bring all your belongings too."

I spent the next morning driving to the Giordano mansion, with my small luggage in the trunk. The address led me to a large estate, the house looked like it belonged in a vampire movie. Dark stone, spires, and an air of sinister beauty. Guards were posted everywhere. It was the perfect fortress for a man like Dante.

A man was waiting for me at the gate, his face emotionless. He led me through a big driveway to the front door, taking my luggage from me. The inside of the mansion was just as grand and intimidating as the outside. I mentally noted the layout, the grand staircase, the maze of hallways, the hidden doors that looked like part of the wall paneling. He pointed out the main rooms and a narrow set of stairs at the back.

"That leads to the boss's study," he said. "Do not go up there without permission." The study. That's definitely where the document would be. I made a mental note of its location, my mind already forming a plan for tonight.

My room was…more beautiful than I had expected. The dark and heavy furnitures with a king sized bed too. He handed me an access card with my fake name, Liam Carter, on it. "The boss has an outing this morning. You'll be accompanying him."

“Already?” I asked, the question escaping my lips before I could stop it.

I had expected a slow start, but Dante clearly didn’t waste any time.

"Yes. Weren't you informed that you start work immediately?” He gave me a hard look. “Now, if you would follow me."

I quickly set my bag down and followed him out. We were on our way down the staircase when Dante appeared from a hallway, his presence filling the space with that dominant aura and power I felt yesterday when we met. He was in an impeccably tailored dark suit, the fabric stretched taut across his broad shoulders. He looked like a masterpiece, and for a moment, I could do nothing but stare. His ethereal beauty was so shocking that I wondered why a man could look like that. The soft light from the chandeliers caught his blond hair and made his hazel eyes gleam like gold. My throat went dry and I tried to swallow.

The man leading me started to speak, "Boss, this is the new..."

Dante held up a hand, silencing him. He glanced at me, his gaze sweeping over my face before he gestured toward the front door. "Get in the car," his first command came.

I blinked, my brain slowly processing his words. I walked out of the mansion and to a black SUV parked in the driveway. Marco was in the driver's seat already, with Antonio in the passenger seat, and I got in the back. Dante slid in next to me, and the space in the car suddenly felt impossibly small.

He glanced at me, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "I don't like dull people Mr Carter. You'd better be sharp."

Antonio, without looking back, tossed a tablet into my lap. I fumbled for a second before catching it. "Don't make a mistake newbie," Antonio sneered. I shot him a look too. He must really think I'm some pushover. I knew he didn’t like me. I guess the feeling was mutual.

I didn't know where we were going, and I couldn't bring myself to ask. I sat so still I was afraid to breathe, my eyes fixed on the tablet. I could feel Dante's gaze on me, a silent pressure that made the hairs on my arm stand on end. I couldn't resist so I risked a quick glance.

He was indeed staring at me, a lazy, calculating look in his eyes. A slow smirk played on his lips as our eyes met, then he moved his face even closer. "You have pretty eyes," he said, his voice a quiet rumble.

My breath hitched. I didn't know what to say or what to do. The silence stretched between us as we stared at each other, his beautiful face so close that I could feel his breath on my skin. I should look away. I really should…but I couldn't. I felt like he was playing with me.

The moment was broken when Antonio’s voice cut through the tension.

"We've arrived."

I broke eye contact, shaking off the strange spell he had cast.

“Get a hold of yourself damnit!” I muttered under my breath. I wasn't into men and most importantly, I was here for a mission. I should keep my head straight and stop getting distracted by this handsome devil.

We pulled up to a large building. I got out of the car as I looked around.

Was this a factory or a hideout? What kind of criminal enterprise was he running here?

I followed Dante inside, my shoulders tense with anticipation, ready to find whatever illegal operation was happening. I was shocked to find it was exactly what it appeared to be. A legitimate wine factory. The air was filled with the sweet scent of fermenting grapes. Employees in uniforms moved about, labeling bottles, operating machinery, and checking gauges.

Dante turned to me, his smirk back in place. "Take it all in Mr Carter. You'll be coming here often, so get familiar."

I couldn't believe it. No illicit deals. No secret rooms. Just... wine. It was a disappointment, but it made me even more certain that his illegal activities were hidden in plain sight.

We returned later in the evening and I was exhausted and frustrated. They dropped me off and it turns out they had somewhere else to be. The day had been long and maddeningly normal. Dante had been nothing but a demanding boss, and the only crime I'd witnessed was a surprisingly passionate lecture on the best type of oak for aging Cabernet Sauvignon. He was either an evil genius with an elaborate cover story or the whole tale about him being a psycho killer was false.

I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying the path to his study. This whole day had been a bust, but that wouldn't stop me. The document had to be there and luckily Dante wasn't home tonight.

I sat up, my resolve hardening. The sooner I find it, the sooner I get out of here and stop getting distracted. The sooner I get justice for my sister.