Chapter 5

Dante and Luciano, two men who were practically identical, stood in the Crownpoint night, both so frosty that they seemed to freeze the air around them.

I couldn't see their expressions clearly, nor could I hear what they were saying. But I knew that, in this moment, they were finally facing off as their true selves.

Dante resented how possessive Luciano was of me and was afraid Luciano would completely replace him. Meanwhile, Luciano resented Dante for betraying their alliance and then strutting around, flaunting his official relationship with me.

Luciano threw the first punch. Dante staggered back, his glasses flying off his face. Without the lenses to hide behind, every emotion in his eyes was laid bare. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and swung back.

The two Costello heirs, who were usually so untouchable and on a pedestal, were suddenly brawling like strays in some back alley. There was no technique or restraint, just raw anger and jealousy.

I stood before the window, watching with a cold detachment.

It wasn't until the estate's bodyguards rushed over at the sound of the commotion that Dante and Luciano were finally pulled apart.

They didn't linger. Each got into his own car and sped off in opposite directions. For now, the farce was over.

…

The next day, the one who came to see me was Luciano. There was a clear bruise at the corner of his eye, and his lip was split. None of it diminished his good looks. If anything, it gave him a more dangerous, feral edge.

He didn't lurk in the shadows the way he used to. Instead, he walked right up and rang my doorbell.

I opened the door and feigned surprise when I saw him. "You… What are you doing here? Dante—"

"Don't mention him to me," Luciano cut me off coldly, shouldering his way inside and shutting the door behind him.

He pinned me against the door, both hands braced on either side of my head. It was a familiar pose, but this time, his eyes held more than just that usual, brooding darkness. There was a raw, undisguised hunger there, too.

His body radiated heat. Even through the thin fabric of my nightgown, it burned against my skin like a brand.

"Chiara…" he murmured, dipping his head. His hot breath fanned over my face. "What did you mean by that phone call last night?"

My heart gave a hard, sharp thump. I knew this was the most critical step. One wrong word, and everything would fall apart.

I tilted my head up to meet his blazing gaze, letting confusion and a touch of hurt flicker in my eyes. "I just… didn't want you two to fight."

Luciano let out a short, humorless laugh. His fingers clamped around my chin as he forced me to look at him. "Chiara, don't play dumb with me."

His thumb dragged roughly across my lips, the touch sharp and invasive. "That call was you begging for help. You told your 'lover' that you were afraid of me, and then you came to me and hinted that he was useless and couldn't protect you."

Every word he spoke hit dead center, like a nail hammered right into the core of my plan. My heart clenched tight. I had underestimated Luciano. He was much smarter than I'd given him credit for.

When I didn't respond, his eyes grew brighter. "You've already figured it out, haven't you?"

I didn't say anything. I just looked at him as my eyes slowly reddened and filled with tears.

That wasn't an act. That was the fear of having my plan torn open and the bone-deep dread of the terrifying clarity in the man standing before me.

My reaction pleased him. He laughed, a low, deep sound that rumbled in his chest.

"Interesting. You're really something." Luciano let go of my chin, but his fingers didn't leave. His thumb lingered, stroking my lips with a lazy, suggestive pressure.

"I wouldn't have expected anything less from the woman I've set my sights on." He leaned in, whispering into my ear, "Since you already know, how about we start a new game?"

His lips were almost pressed to my ear, his breath scorching against my skin. It sent a shiver down my spine. "Let's kick Dante out of the picture for good."