The Velvet Corridor

The cold gaze of Cassian Marchetti still burned against Vittoria's skin even after she looked away. Her heart was beating frantically against her ribs. She set her half-empty glass down on the counter, her hands shaking so violently that a small splash of red liquid spilled onto the black marble.

"Are you alright, miss?" the bartender asked, his eyes darting nervously back to the upper balcony. "You look like you have seen a ghost."

"I am fine," Vittoria replied, her voice trembling. "I just need some air. The music is a bit too loud."

"The terrace is down the hall to the right," he said, pointing toward an archway near the back of the club. "It is usually quieter down there."

"Thank you," Vittoria said, slipping off her barstool.

Instead of walking toward the exit, her feet seemed to move on their own, guided by a magnetic pull she could not resist. She glanced back toward the dance floor, but Hannah was completely lost in the sea of moving bodies, laughing and dancing under the flashing violet lights. Vittoria turned and walked down the dark hallway, the thumping of the bass fading into a low vibration that resonated through the floorboards.

The hallway was lined with black velvet walls and gold-accented fixtures, lit only by soft, warm sconces. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart, when she heard a low, smooth voice behind her.

"Running away so soon, sweet girl?"

Vittoria gasped, spinning around. Her back pressed against the soft velvet wall as she stared at the man standing just a few feet away.

It was him.

Cassian Marchetti stood in the dim light, his presence towering. He was even more beautiful up close, his jawline sharp and his dark hair perfectly styled. His black suit was tailored to his muscular frame, and his eyes, cold and dark, locked onto hers with a possessive intensity that made her knees feel weak.

"I am not running," Vittoria lied, her breath hurting as he took a slow, predatory step forward. "I was just looking for some quiet."

"You came to the wrong place for quiet," Cassian murmured, closing the distance between them until she could smell his scent. He smelled of expensive leather, tobacco, and something dark and clean. "And you certainly did not come to the wrong place to be ignored."

"I do not know what you mean," she whispered, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "I was just celebrating my birthday with my friend."

"I saw you the moment you walked through my doors," Cassian said, leaning in closer. He placed one large hand on the wall beside her head, trapping her in his space. "A green dress in a room full of dark souls. You look like the only unbroken thing in a world built on ruin."

"You do not even know me," Vittoria breathed, her skin tingling where his warmth radiated toward her. "And I do not know you."

"The bartender told you my name, didn't he?" Cassian asked, a slow, dangerous smile curving his lips. "I saw him whisper to you. I saw the way your eyes widened when you looked back up at me."

"He told me to leave," Vittoria admitted, looking up into his dark eyes. "He said you are dangerous."

"He was right," Cassian whispered, his gaze dropping to her lips. "I am the most dangerous thing in this city, sweet girl. But you did not run when he told you that. Why are you still standing here?"

"I do not know," Vittoria said, her heart hammering. "I feel like I cannot move."

"Good," Cassian murmured, his free hand reaching out.

His long, bare fingers brushed against her jawline, his touch light but possessive. Vittoria shivered, her eyes fluttering shut at the intense, electric spark that shot through her skin. He tilted her head up, his thumb resting near her bottom lip.

"You are beautiful when you are afraid," Cassian whispered, his voice dropping to a low, husky register. "But you do not need to fear me. Not tonight. Tell me your name."

"Why?" Vittoria asked, her voice barely audible. "So you can track me down?"

"I do not need your name to track you down, sweet girl," Cassian murmured, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. "I run this city. I can find anyone I want. I just want to hear how your name sounds when you say it."

"I do not think I should tell you," Vittoria whispered, her body leaning instinctively closer to his. The physical pull between them was pressing down on her chest. "My mother told me never to talk to strangers."

"Your mother sounds like a wise woman," Cassian chuckled, his chest vibrating against hers. "But we are not strangers anymore. Not after the way you looked at me. Not after the way you are looking at me right now."

"I have to go," Vittoria said, a sudden panic flaring in her chest as she remembered her mother's warning. "My friend is waiting for me."

"She can wait," Cassian demanded, his grip on her jaw tightening slightly, just enough to show his dominance. "You belong in my sights tonight. Do not run from me, sweet girl."

"I cannot stay," Vittoria pleaded, her hands coming up to press against his broad chest. His muscles were hard as granite beneath the expensive fabric of his suit. "Please. Let me go."

Cassian stared down at her, his expression darkening as he felt the frantic beating of her heart beneath his palm. He leaned in until his lips pressed against her ear, his warm breath sending a shiver down her spine.

"Vittoria! Where are you?" Hannah's voice echoed from the end of the hallway, loud and frantic. "Vittoria! The bouncer says we have to leave!"

"You can go tonight," Cassian whispered. "But do not think this is the end. I will see you again, sweet girl."

Vittoria gasped, using the sudden distraction to slide beneath Cassian's arm. She ran down the hallway toward her friend, her heels clicking rapidly on the floor.

"I am here, Hannah!" Vittoria called out, grabbing her friend's hand as she reached the main lobby. "Let us go. Now."

"What happened?" Hannah asked, looking bewildered as Vittoria dragged her toward the exit. "Your face is completely flushed."

"Nothing," Vittoria gasped, pushing through the glass doors into the cool night air. "Just let us get to the car."

As they ran down the street, Vittoria reached down to touch her wrist, searching for the silver bracelet her mother had given her, the only heirloom that belonged to her father.

Her wrist was bare.

"No," Vittoria whispered, stopping in her tracks. "My bracelet. I lost it."

"We cannot go back inside, Vittoria," Hannah said, pulling her along as a black SUV slowly rolled past the club. "The bouncers are clearing everyone out. We have to go."

Back in the dark hallway of Obsidian, Cassian Marchetti stood in the dark, looking down at the glittering silver bracelet resting in his palm. A cold smile spread across his face as his right-hand man, Enzo, stepped into the light.

"Did you find out who she is, boss?" Enzo asked.

"Not yet," Cassian murmured, closing his fist around the cold metal. "But she left me a token. She will be back for it."