Different

Isla~

"You kidnapped the mayor’s son?"

My voice rang out, sharp and accusing, cutting through the air like a blade.

The room went still. All eyes turned to me, his men seated around the living room in a loose circle, cigars half-smoked, whiskey glasses halfway raised.

Dante sat at the center, relaxed in a high-backed leather chair like a king among pawns. His cold, unreadable gaze lifted to meet mine.

A flicker of amusement ghosted across his face before he spoke.

"Leave us."

No one hesitated. Not a word was exchanged. Chairs scraped quietly across the marble floor, men stood, nodded, and exited in silence. The last one closed the door behind him, leaving just the two of us in a room thick with tension.

I stood near the entrance, breathing hard, my heart hammering in my chest. He hadn't denied it. He couldn't dare.

The air itself told me everything I needed to know.

I took a step forward.

Then another.

Each footfall echoed faintly, matching the pounding in my ears.

I didn't understa