CHAPTER 2

DRACO'S POV

The woman disappeared into the ballroom before I could stop her. I stood alone on the balcony, staring at the glass doors she had vanished through.

"Fuck." The curse left my mouth before I could stop it.

My foot still hurt from where she'd stomped on it. Most women didn't run from me and most women certainly didn't slap me.

Twice.

A slow, dangerous smile tugged at my lips despite my irritation. Bold little thing, I adjusted my mask and looked toward the ballroom entrance.

She was already gone... swallowed by the crowd. That little devil knows well that she must hide. For the first time in years, I felt genuinely annoyed.

Not because she escaped, but because I hadn't settled the score. No one walked away from an encounter with me on their own terms.

No one.

Yet somehow she had managed it and that realization should have angered me. Instead, something else stirred beneath the irritation.

Curiosity... a fucking dangerous curiosity for her.

Who was she? The mystery gnawed at me. Every woman I encountered usually fell into one of two categories.

They either feared me or they wanted something from me.

Money, power, protection, status and sex. The mysterious woman on the balcony wanted none of those things. If anything, she looked offended by my existence, the thought irritated me all over again.

I pushed away from the railing.

Fine.

If fate wanted to play games, I could be patient... the woman escaped tonight. It wouldn't happen again because one thing was certain... that would not be our last meeting.

By the time I returned to the ballroom, my expression had settled back into its usual calm mask. Nobody would know I had just been slapped by a stranger... and fucking worst... twice.

The orchestra continued playing while guests laughed and champagne flowed. The illusion of civilization remained intact, I slipped effortlessly back into my role.

As the eldest son of the Castellano, I am the future head of La Casa delle Ombre. The rightful heir not only of birth position but my raw talent.

The man everyone watched carefully. Several crime syndicate leaders approached throughout the evening.

Business discussions, territorial disputes, trade routes, and politics... just the usual nonsense.

I stood beside one of the larger gathering circles when Sergio Moretti joined the conversation. The aging Sicilian don carried himself with the confidence of a man who had survived long enough to stop fearing consequences.

A dangerous habit, Sergio swirled his drink. "El Paso has become aggressive lately."

The conversation immediately shifted as several men exchanged glances. My attention sharpened.

"What about them?" I asked.

Sergio chuckled. "They've been placing moles everywhere."

A few nearby guests frowned and the older man continued casually. "Undermining organizations from the inside... taking important Intel then leaking it to the authorities."

His gaze settled on me. "Who knows?" A smirk appeared on his face. "Perhaps your syndicate has already been infiltrated. You're being betrayed right under your nose."

The comment immediately soured my mood as my jaw tightened. "Are you questioning Castellano leadership?"

The atmosphere cooled instantly and I saw several nearby men wisely stop talking. Sergio raised both hands. "Relax." The old bastard looked amused. "It was a reminder."

I stared at him... A long uncomfortable silence. Then finally Sergio laughed. "I see your temper remains intact."

My brothers appeared moments later. Perfect timing, Daemon immediately noticed the tension. "What happened?"

"Sergio opened his mouth." I growled.

"Ah." Daemon nodded knowingly. "That explains everything."

Half an hour later, I found myself inside one of the private VIP lounges with my brothers. Apparently those idiots, they had decided an intervention was necessary.

Diavolo sat across from me nursing a drink, Draven lounged across an expensive sofa and Daemon remained standing near the window where is watching the dance floor like a predator searching for a prey.

All three stared at me, I stared back. Eventually Draven sighed dramatically. "This is becoming uncomfortable."

"Then leave." I growled.

"No." Daemon smirked. "You're acting strange."

"I'm not." I said coldly as I'm not in the mood to talk.

"You are." The idiot retorted back.

"I said, I'm fucking not." I snapped back.

"You absolutely are." Diavolo joined in. This idiot was being prickly bastards.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. The conversation was already exhausting.

Diavolo leaned forward. "Seriously." His eyes narrowed slightly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I said.

Three identical expressions of disbelief greeted that answer. Daemon barked a laugh. "Try again."

I glared at him, the bastard just grinned... the bastard actually grinned. Then Draven snapped his fingers.

"The balcony. It all started after you went there... spill it now."

All three brothers suddenly looked interested. My silence immediately betrayed me. Diavolo pointed dramatically. "There it is."

Daemon looked delighted. "Oh, this is good."

I already hated where this conversation was going but Draven sat upright. "What happened?"

"Nothing." I said shortly. These bastards just keep on pestering me.

"Lie." Daemon said,

Knowing these idiots of my brother won't stop, I exhaled sharply. "It's that woman."

The room went silent... then laughter, loud, merciless and endless laughter. I considered shooting all three of them.

Daemon nearly choked, Diavolo looked ready to fall out of his chair., Draven openly wiped tears from his eyes. "This is incredible."

"Shut up." I glared.

"No." The laughter continued.

"What did she do?" Daemon asked.

I didn't answer and the silence answered for me. Their amusement doubled instantly. "Oh my fucking devil." Diavolo laughed harder. "She actually did something."

Draven pointed accusingly. "You look offended."

"I am offended." I admitted.

"Why?" Diavolo asked.

I growled. The sound only made them laugh again. Eventually Daemon managed to compose himself. Barely, Then he shrugged. "Whatever that woman did, Get over it."

Easy for him to say. The idiot forgot women existed five minutes after meeting them.

Daemon lifted his drink. "Maybe you just need a distraction." I didn't like where this was heading. "There are hundreds of women downstairs."

Exactly. There it was.

"The only solution you ever suggest involves going between legs of women." I said accusingly.

"The only genuine language I understand is when they whimpered beneath me and begged for more." The idiot said boldly.

I closed my eyes... Counted to three, then opened them again. "You're incapable of giving proper advice."

Daemon merely smirked. "Yet somehow my advice works. You're too tense, you need a good release. "

I hated that he occasionally had a point. With a frustrated sigh, I stood, the conversation had reached its limit. "I'm leaving."

Diavolo raised his glass. "Try not to get pissed by a woman again." The room erupted into laughter.

I walked out before I committed fratricide, the ballroom remained crowded. Music echoed beneath crystal chandeliers, masks hid expressions, secrets hid everywhere.

Several women immediately approached once I reentered the crowd. Predictable... One offered a smile, another tried accidental eye contact.

A third nearly walked into me on purpose. Most people wanted something. These women in these circles were no exception. I entertained the interactions politely.

Nothing more... until one particularly bold brunette stepped closer. Very close... her smile carried unmistakable confidence. "I've heard many things about you, Signor Castellano... rough things."

I smirked because I know where this is going. "I'm sure you have."

She leaned closer. "I am very flexible."

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

The woman smiled. "I can do any position... anywhere and anytime. I can be wild or meek but I prefer being rough."

A laugh nearly escaped me at least she was honest. The mysterious woman from the balcony would probably slap me again for this conversation alone. The thought irritated me and amused me. Both at once.

I removed a black and gold hotel key card from my suit pocket. The brunette's eyes widened slightly.

"Perhaps," I said casually, "we can test that claim later. I hope you live up to your words because I will wreck you from the inside."

Her smile brightened immediately. I handed her the card. "For now, maintain some distance."

She accepted it. "And later?"

I leaned slightly closer. "Later I'll be waiting before midnight, and I'll make you forget your name."

The woman's smile became triumphant. "I look forward to it."

Then she disappeared back into the crowd. Gone. Just like the woman from the balcony, except this time... I knew exactly where to find her... because she will be the one to come to me. I watched the brunette disappear among the guests before exhaling slowly.

Maybe Daemon was right, maybe I needed a distraction... a good fuck. That woman escaped for now but I will haunt her and make her beg me to spare her life or beg me for something else. The hunt began.