CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: A DANCE WITH THE DEVIL

The De Luca estate was located somewhere in the heart of Milan, one of the finest in the city, in fact. Exotic is the word closest to describing the magnificent building.

Perched on a private cliffside overlooking the dark glitter of the ocean, the estate stretched like a beast at rest—silent, sprawling, dangerous. It wasn't just a mansion. It was a fortress dressed in elegance, where danger wore silk gloves.

The gates alone were imposing: wrought iron laced with intricate filigree, the family crest forged into the center like a warning. A private road curved through acres of perfectly manicured grounds—black roses bloomed among sharp thorns, a fitting metaphor. Security was ever-present but invisible: cameras hidden in marble statues, guards stationed in shadows, watching without blinking.

The house itself rose three stories high, a blend of old-world Italian architecture and cold modern minimalism. Smooth black stone and glass dominated the facade framed by towering columns and sleek balconies with gold-accented railings. At night, the place glowed with warm golden light, soft enough to whisper wealth.

Inside, the floors were obsidian marble, veins of silver running through them like bloodlines. A grand staircase curved upward like a question mark, lit by a custom chandelier made entirely of black crystal—designed to resemble falling daggers. 

The heart of the estate was the study—a sprawling room walled with books, hidden compartments, and a liquor cabinet stocked with bottles worth more than most people’s homes. Behind the mahogany desk, beneath a silent portrait of the Antonio De Luca, Natalie's fatherwas a built-in biometric safe. 

The last time Natalie had been here with Lorenzo, he had given her the passcode to the safe.

Outside, a pool stretched like liquid obsidian beneath the moonlight, lined with fire pits and low couches of dark leather. Farther beyond, a helipad sat quiet, waiting. The estate had no neighbors. No prying eyes. Only power, silence, and the kind of danger that came dressed in Armani.

The estate screamed of wealth, more than that, it screamed of power, hidden secrets that spoke of untold danger.

Every now and again, a ball would be held in this magnificent estate, masquerading as either a birthday party or a house warming or other celebration, but in reality, it was more than that. Balls like this, especially one held in a powerful empire like the De Luca empire, were where deadly business deals were carried out, destinies were exchanged, men were singles out for destruction, all in one night, in a meeting disguised as a ball. Attending such balls was a privilege only a few could access, so it had come as a big surprise for Rafael, being invited to the birthday of Lorenzo De Luca.

Isabella, as usual had been skeptical at first when Rafael had told her about the invitation. Despite the opportunities that came with it, she had exactly no idea what Natalie had planned. 

"No coin flips without a catch, Rafael " Isabella had told Rafael, while rolling her wine glass dangerously between her fingers. "You need to be watchful when you get invited to a dance with the devil."

Rafael rolled his eyes, explaining to her that Natalie was completely harmless. "It's not like we would both be tied up and murdered inside the De Luca estate." Rafael said, surprising even himself with his eagerness. 

"She is our business partner, after all, a very valuable one at that. Do you know what it means getting invited to a ball at the De Lucas?"

It wasn't until Rafael threatened to go alone before Isabella finally agreed to go with him. He was better off with he on his side, she has made it her duty to protect him and his empire.

"What do you think about my dress?" Isabella asked as she stepped into Rafael's room. 

Rafael has his back turned to the door, bent over his jewellery box and trying to select a wristwatch.

Isabella's face turned into a scowl as she observed him.

"Aren't you putting in too much effort into looking good?" The words rolled out of Isabella's tongue as she ran her eyes over Rafael.

"You should look in the mirror and direct the question to yourself." Rafael said coldly as he walked away.

Isabella shrugged. Normally she was the kind of woman who would love to look good, but truly, she had put too much effort into looking good. The way she had spent so much time beautifully styling her blonde hair, how she has meticulously applied her make up and taken time to pick out her red dress.

She didn't want to be outshined by Natalie. But Rafael, Rafael's case was different. That glint she saw in his eyes whenever there's was a mention of her name, the velocity with which he defended her, the eagerness with which he created and embraced opportunities to be around her. She would not let that happen tonight, tonight, Rafael was hers, all hers.

"We should go." She told Rafael, walking over to take his hand.

The drive to the De Luca estate was quiet, silent thoughts passed between them both as they say side by side with each other.

Both Rafael and Isabella had their mouths almost hanging open on arrival to the estate. They were both not newcomers to the world of affluence, but the De Luca estate held a kind of magnificent that would leave you feeling thrilled with every inch you take.

They had expected the opulence that dripped from the estate, of course, the De Lucas could be named as one of the richest and most influential in Milan, but this—this was too much.

The party was starting already. 

The party dripped in gold—opulent, excessive, a monument to power. The walls looked like something stolen from a medieval castle, towering high, built to intimidate. A place where men in tailored suits shook hands over million-dollar deals and silent assassinations.

Isabella stepped out of the car first, and without waiting a second, hurried over to Rafael's side of the car to take his hand. "You will be my date for tonight." She declared, as if it wasn't already obvious.

As they walked in, hand in hand, Isabella's hills clicked against the tiled floor, silently announcing their arrival to an unfazed crowd who knew nothing more than trying to protect their own interests.

The room was alive with distractions. Music played, dancers swayed, champagne flowed freely. Beautiful women draped themselves over powerful men, whispering secrets that could get them killed. Waiters moved through the crowd with trays of crystal glasses, offering luxury with a side of deception.

Isabella stopped a waiter. "Two glasses please." She said, elegantly.

She picked two glasses of wine, one for herself, one for Rafael.

Isabella took a sip from her drink, letting the crisp bite of liquor settle on her tongue. Her eyes scanned the room—kings, traitors, and dead men walking. Her eyes picked Lorenzo De Luca, talking to some men in tailored suits, powerful men, completely oblivious of them. All of these, yet, there was no sign of Natalie anywhere.

Isabella scanned the room with her eyes some more. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Rafael scanning the room too. A part of her told her there were looking for the same person.

Something bit at her insides, but she could not tell what it was, well, not until a walking goddess in red emerged from the adjoining corridors—Natalie.

Isabella's hand tightened around her wine glass, threatening to break it as Natalie walked into the room, excorted by four men in black suits. But it wasn't Natalie's bodyguards that pricked her insides, it was the right red dress that clung to her body like it was made perfectly, just for her, exactly the same red dress Isabella had on—only that, Natalie wore it better.

Natalie took slow, precise, calculated and eloquent steps, her hills clicked on the hard floor, each step a declaration, announcing the presence of the heiress of the great De Luca empire.

Isabella's blood boiled, especially when Natalie turned towards their direction with a bright smile.

She greeted Rafael first as she approached, then she turned to Isabella. "Oh, Isabella," she said. "What a coincidence." Her melodious voice sang as she ran her eyes over Isabella's frame.