A DEAL WITH DANTE

VALERIA

At the mention of my last name my body goes stiff.

"Twenty-six. Born in San Diego. Dropped out of college in sophomore year. Worked at a diner, briefly. Got evicted twice."My jaw tightens, and I stop chewing, pretending to focus on my plate.

He continues, unfazed. "You're two months behind on rent. Owe your former landlord fourteen hundred. Took a small loan from someone named Tony Morales - which, judging from his record, wasn't the brightest move. No steady income. No family. No boyfriend."

"Wow," A dry laugh escapes me. "You've really done your homework." More like a whole fucking research . You'd think he'll at least need my consent before digging through my life like a public record.

He glances up, eyes glinting. "You're clean though. No priors, no addictions, no legal baggage. Just... cornered." Something in the way he says it lights a spark in my chest.

" Were you snooping through my things ?" My voice rises by an octave. I start to stand but my hand knocks over the mug , spilling it's hot content over my skin.

" Fuck!" I hiss , blowing air on my blistered palm. Dante rushes to my side his hand wrapping around my wrist before I can move.

" I'll get a soothing balm ,okay? Don't touch it "I nod, too hurt to argue. He applies the balm gently and the relief hits almost instantly.

" Thanks," I mutter, then narrow my eyes. "You went through my things."

" Positive. I'm sorry I invaded your privacy." He says without a hint of guilt." but I needed to run a background check on you."

His voice doesn't waver - smooth, unbothered, confident. And somehow, that single act of assertiveness makes my toes curl. Seriously, does this man have to make everything sound so damn sexy?

I wait for him to crack a smile and tell me it's a joke, but he doesn't. Not even close.

" Okay," I chuckle nervously, shifting on the bed. " When you said you had a job I thought it was–"

" Something more professional?" Dante offers, clearly amused.

My lips part to complete the sentence before they clamp back shut. I nod instead.

" Dignified , more like. What's my guarantee you're not bluffing? " I fold my hands over my shoulder and gently pushing the tray away.

His gaze lingers a moment longer than usual before he stands up. Those confident strides eat up the distance to his bedside drawer , and when he comes back there's a long manilla envelope stretched toward me.

I eye it skeptically, only taking it when he starts to withdraw. I scan through the first page slowly to find out he's not kidding afterall. When I glance up, I catch him watching me intently.

The contract is made up of stapled sheets of paper that promise the life I've only seen but never dared to dream of.It offers everything I need at this point in my life;

Thirty-five grand a month.

Free food. Housing. Clothing . A stylist.

Three and a half million at the end of eighteen months?!

It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to grin like an idiot and keep my expression calm.

The rules are simple too. it's mandatory I follow Dante to all social, business and official functions that demand my presence. The second States that if any of us is involved in a romantic relationship it shouldn't get to the public. And the third states if I don't comply to his rules the contract would be terminated and other legal jargons I can't bother myself with.

" What if I'm a criminal and was sent to kill you," I tip my chin.

" Your records are credible," Dante says dryly "Good luck trying though "

" So if I pen my signature, I get all of this? Is that what this means?" Hope rises in my voice before I can catch myself.

" You get all this if you play your role for eighteen months, yes," Dante corrects me. I roll my eyes in mock offense but the smile tilting my lips is hard to hide.

" Well," I say , glancing back down at the contract the "As tempting as this sounds i remember I mentioned something about getting into trouble and you agreeing."

" I didn't agree" he says easily, sliding his hands into his pocket. " But I figured I'd tell you my reasons for needing a wife."

My brows lift. " I'm listening."

Dante meets my gaze squarely. "Let's just say my image is in the toilet. The Feds are poking around my company, my investors are panicking, and apparently, I don't look responsible enough to trust with a billion-dollar brand. They think I need... stability."

"Stability?" I echo.

"Yeah. And nothing screams stable like a wife," he says with a half-smile. "You make me look settled. Clean. The kind of man who doesn't shoot people or hide money offshore."

I blink, trying to process that. "And the playboy part?"

"Still me," he admits, "just... with better PR."

I stare at him, the irony too rich to ignore.

"So basically," I say slowly, "you want me to be your cover story."

"You can call it that," Dante says. "Or you can call it an opportunity."

" Alright. You have a deal," I shrug. He studies me for a second too long, eyes narrowing slightly like he's trying to figure me out. There's the faintest flicker of surprise ,maybe amusement.

" What?" I roll my eyes.

" You're not going to give me a lecture about how they're better women out there and how you don't fit into my world?"

" And kiss three and a half million goodbye. No thank you. Hand me a pen ,please" Dante chuckles - a deep, rich sound that feels expensive somehow. He's still laughing when I sign the last page.

" We're officially what now, husband and wife?" I tease, handing over the papers.

"Engaged for now," he replies, signing his name with a lazy flourish. He glances up, the corner of his mouth lifting. "But give it twenty-four hours, Bellissima - and the world will think you tamed me." Such a smooth talker. I hate that I actually like his wit.

" Bellissima– what does it mean?"

" Most beautiful," his dimple deepens as he smirks. My heart performs a full-blown backflip.

" Huh," I murmur pretending to think . "So what do I call you, besides trouble?"

Before he can answer , the door flies open, a sharp thud echoes when it slams against the wall. A woman stands there, her eyes blazing, anger rolling off her in black waves.

" What the fuck Dante?!" She spits marching straight to him " You're cheating one me with this..." Her gaze finally lands on me like she's just noticing me and the disgust that flashes in her eyes could kill.

" This lowlife gold digging–"

"Enough!" Dante's voice slices through the air like a whip. A muscle ticks in his jaw, his hands curling into fists as he steps forward. He grips her elbow, firmly, and steers her toward the door.

"Stay here," he says to me, voice controlled but sharp. Then, without looking back, he shuts the door with a slam that reverberates through the room and I'm left alone.