Dante’s POVPain. That was the first thing I registered. A deep, burning ache spreading through my torso. My head felt like it had been split open, my limbs heavy, as if lead had been poured into my veins.I forced my eyes open, the dim light stabbing through my skull. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar. The scent of clean linen, antiseptic, and something distinctly not mine filled my senses. Where the hell was I?A shadow moved beside me and Instinct took over.Before I could think, my hand shot out, fingers locking around a delicate throat. The person gasped. My vision swam, but I didn’t loosen my grip. My body was running on reflex… on survival.“Wh—” The voice choked out, barely a whisper.I sat up with a ragged breath, my muscles screaming in protest, and my focus sharpened just enough to make out the terrified expression of the woman in front of me. She clawed at my wrist, eyes wide, struggling against my hold.Too fragile. Too weak to be a threat.A maid.Then a sharp voice cu
Lucia’s POVI was lucky. Too lucky.Escaping that night had been a miracle, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come. Every step of my investigation had led me down the same road, and now, all signs pointed to one person—Vincenzo.I still couldn’t understand his motivation. He was smart, calculating, but to orchestrate something of this scale? To have the nerve to challenge Dante like this? It was a dangerous game, and if I was right, then I wasn’t just dealing with betrayal. I was dealing with a war.Dante had refused to tell me what actually happened. I needed answers.And there was only one person I could think of who might have them.My father.As I stepped out of the building, the cool evening air hit my skin, but it did nothing to ease the heaviness in my chest. My thoughts raced, tangled with the weight of everything I had learned and everything I still didn’t know.I didn’t even make it far before I heard a familiar voice behind me.“Lucia?”I turned to
Dante’s POVThe room was thick with tension. My men stood quietly, shoulders rigid, eyes shifting nervously as if one wrong move would bring down my wrath, waiting for me to address them. I stood at the front, my eyes cold and steady, studying their faces and trying to figure out who could be trusted and who needed to be weeded out. The recent attack had shaken my operations, and I wouldn’t stand for weakness or betrayal.My hand rested on the polished wood of the table before me, and I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could utter a word, the door swung open with a bang. Heads turned, and I found myself narrowing my eyes at the unexpected interruption.Lucia stormed in, her footsteps pounding against the floor. Anger radiated off her, practically nearly heating up the room. She didn’t look at me, no, her eyes were locked on one of my men standing near the back, an older, rough-looking bastard named Valentin.Valentin straightened up, trying to act unaffected by her approach, but
Lucia’s POVI couldn’t stay in my room any longer. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, suffocating me with guilt and frustration. I needed air, so I slipped out into the hallway, and made my way toward the balcony at the end of the corridor.The cool breeze hit me as I stepped outside, and I gripped the railing, trying to steady my breathing. My mind was still spinning from the confrontation earlier. I couldn’t believe I’d just barged in like that or how angry Dante had been. I didn’t regret standing up for the maid. I’d wanted to handle it subtly, but when she told me it wasn’t the first time, and she wasn’t the only one, I couldn’t hold back any longer.“Lucia,” a familiar voice called from behind me.I turned to see Lucas approaching, his expression cautious. He gave me a small nod, like he wasn’t sure how to start.“Hey,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just needed some air.”“Yeah, figured.” He leaned against the railing beside me, eyes scanning the courtyard below. “You sh
Lucia’s POVDante’s phone beeped before I could respond. He pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen before cursing under his breath.“What is it?” I asked, still breathless from his brutal kiss and the way his hands had branded my skin.He didn’t look at me, his jaw clenched tight. “Press interview,” he muttered. “Those vultures won’t stop digging. I have to handle it.”I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Part of me was glad for the distance, but another part still felt raw from his kiss and the way he’d just claimed me like a possession. Without another word, he stormed past me.I stayed frozen against the wall for a moment, catching my breath, before finally pushing myself to move. I needed to clear my head and shake off the way his touch made me feel both safe and suffocated.As I stepped out into the corridor, I heard faint voices coming from the lounge down the hall—the one Dante usually used for meetings and interviews. Curiosity got the better of me, an
Dante’s POVI didn’t move from where I stood, my fists still clenched as Lucas stepped inside, his eyes darting around like he was searching for an exit. I gestured toward the armchair with a single jerk of my head.“Sit,” I ordered.He hesitated for just a fraction of a second before sinking down onto the chair, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. I moved around the desk slowly, dragging out the tension, letting him sweat.“When were you planning on telling me that Lucia knew the journalist?” I asked, my voice deceptively calm.Lucas’s eyes widened, confusion flickering over his face. “I—I didn’t know she knew him, boss.”I slammed my fist down on the desk, making him flinch. “Then why the fuck did she say she’d seen him leaving her father’s house? How long has that bastard been hanging around?”His mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. “Boss, I swear I didn’t know. I thought he was just another reporter trying to dig up dirt. I didn’t think—”“That’s the problem, Lu
Lucia’s POVDante’s introduction echoed in my mind like a sweet, unexpected melody. “She’s my girlfriend.”For some reason, it sounded different this time—better than when he’d introduced me as his girlfriend to Vincenzo.I shouldn’t have been flattered. It wasn’t like it meant anything, just a way to stop the man from asking questions. But even knowing that, a stupid warmth spread through my chest, and my stomach did a little flip.I was pathetic for feeling anything but resentment after everything he’d put me through. I also tried to ignore the fact that the man’s expression hadn’t been exactly pleasant. There had been something off in his reaction, something cold and calculating beneath his polite look.I pushed it aside, telling myself I was overthinking. After all, he was one of Dante’s trusted men. If he had an issue, it wasn’t my place to question it. Right now I had more important things to worry about, like the journalist and how Dante was fuming as he stalked out of his off
Lucia’s POV There was no way in hell I’d let him kill someone right in front of me.“Stop. Killing him won’t fix this.” He ripped his arm from my grip. “He fucked up. You want me to let that slide? “I forced myself to hold his glare, even though my knees felt like jelly. “Think about it. If he didn’t catch it, then maybe the fakes are good enough to fool anyone. Killing him won’t solve the problem—it’ll just leave you without someone who knows the books. You need him to help figure out how far this goes.” Dante stared at me for a long, tense moment, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might shatter. Finally, he lowered the gun and let out a sharp breath.“Fine,” he ground out, his voice rough and lethal. He grabbed the accountant by the collar and yanked him close, practically snarling in his face. “Trace every single transaction from the last month. I want to know who’s been feeding us this garbage. You screw up one more time, and I’ll put a bullet between your eyes. Got it?”
Lucia’s POVI shook my head, trying to appear calm. “No… but I don’t like the way he’s watching us.”Daniel cursed under his breath. “You should leave. Now. I’ll cover you.”My heart thudded painfully as I stood and slipped out of the hotel through a side exit. I didn’t stop moving until I was blocks away, breathless and paranoid. Who was that guy? Was he working for Vincenzo? Or worse—Dante?Back on the street, I pulled my jacket tighter around me as the cold air bit into my skin. My mind was spinning, tangled with guilt and confusion. Daniel’s words echoed in my head, the accusation slicing deeper than I wanted to admit. Was he right? Had I let Dante get too far under my skin?I just felt… empty. It was like the warmth between us had faded into something distant and unfamiliar.I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. This wasn’t the time to fall apart. I needed to stay sharp, keep my head in the game. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions cloud my judgment—not when I was in deeper
Lucia’s POVI couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me after discovering the fake journalist. The question was whether I should tell Dante right away or dig deeper on my own. If I confronted him without solid proof, it might just make him suspicious of me instead. But keeping it to myself felt just as risky. Either way, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.Reluctantly, I grabbed my phone and went to my call log. My thumb hovered over Daniel’s number. After everything, asking him for another favor felt like pushing my luck. But what choice did I have? He was the only one I could trust to dig deeper without tipping off the wrong people.Taking a deep breath, I hit the call button. It rang twice before he picked up.“Lucia,” he greeted flatly, his tone wary. “What’s going on?”I bit my lip, forcing myself to sound calm. “I need to meet with you. It’s important.”A sigh crackled through the line. “Now you want to meet?”“Please, Daniel. It’s urgent. Just give me a few minu
Lucia’s POV There was no way in hell I’d let him kill someone right in front of me.“Stop. Killing him won’t fix this.” He ripped his arm from my grip. “He fucked up. You want me to let that slide? “I forced myself to hold his glare, even though my knees felt like jelly. “Think about it. If he didn’t catch it, then maybe the fakes are good enough to fool anyone. Killing him won’t solve the problem—it’ll just leave you without someone who knows the books. You need him to help figure out how far this goes.” Dante stared at me for a long, tense moment, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might shatter. Finally, he lowered the gun and let out a sharp breath.“Fine,” he ground out, his voice rough and lethal. He grabbed the accountant by the collar and yanked him close, practically snarling in his face. “Trace every single transaction from the last month. I want to know who’s been feeding us this garbage. You screw up one more time, and I’ll put a bullet between your eyes. Got it?”
Lucia’s POVDante’s introduction echoed in my mind like a sweet, unexpected melody. “She’s my girlfriend.”For some reason, it sounded different this time—better than when he’d introduced me as his girlfriend to Vincenzo.I shouldn’t have been flattered. It wasn’t like it meant anything, just a way to stop the man from asking questions. But even knowing that, a stupid warmth spread through my chest, and my stomach did a little flip.I was pathetic for feeling anything but resentment after everything he’d put me through. I also tried to ignore the fact that the man’s expression hadn’t been exactly pleasant. There had been something off in his reaction, something cold and calculating beneath his polite look.I pushed it aside, telling myself I was overthinking. After all, he was one of Dante’s trusted men. If he had an issue, it wasn’t my place to question it. Right now I had more important things to worry about, like the journalist and how Dante was fuming as he stalked out of his off
Dante’s POVI didn’t move from where I stood, my fists still clenched as Lucas stepped inside, his eyes darting around like he was searching for an exit. I gestured toward the armchair with a single jerk of my head.“Sit,” I ordered.He hesitated for just a fraction of a second before sinking down onto the chair, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. I moved around the desk slowly, dragging out the tension, letting him sweat.“When were you planning on telling me that Lucia knew the journalist?” I asked, my voice deceptively calm.Lucas’s eyes widened, confusion flickering over his face. “I—I didn’t know she knew him, boss.”I slammed my fist down on the desk, making him flinch. “Then why the fuck did she say she’d seen him leaving her father’s house? How long has that bastard been hanging around?”His mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. “Boss, I swear I didn’t know. I thought he was just another reporter trying to dig up dirt. I didn’t think—”“That’s the problem, Lu
Lucia’s POVDante’s phone beeped before I could respond. He pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen before cursing under his breath.“What is it?” I asked, still breathless from his brutal kiss and the way his hands had branded my skin.He didn’t look at me, his jaw clenched tight. “Press interview,” he muttered. “Those vultures won’t stop digging. I have to handle it.”I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Part of me was glad for the distance, but another part still felt raw from his kiss and the way he’d just claimed me like a possession. Without another word, he stormed past me.I stayed frozen against the wall for a moment, catching my breath, before finally pushing myself to move. I needed to clear my head and shake off the way his touch made me feel both safe and suffocated.As I stepped out into the corridor, I heard faint voices coming from the lounge down the hall—the one Dante usually used for meetings and interviews. Curiosity got the better of me, an
Lucia’s POVI couldn’t stay in my room any longer. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, suffocating me with guilt and frustration. I needed air, so I slipped out into the hallway, and made my way toward the balcony at the end of the corridor.The cool breeze hit me as I stepped outside, and I gripped the railing, trying to steady my breathing. My mind was still spinning from the confrontation earlier. I couldn’t believe I’d just barged in like that or how angry Dante had been. I didn’t regret standing up for the maid. I’d wanted to handle it subtly, but when she told me it wasn’t the first time, and she wasn’t the only one, I couldn’t hold back any longer.“Lucia,” a familiar voice called from behind me.I turned to see Lucas approaching, his expression cautious. He gave me a small nod, like he wasn’t sure how to start.“Hey,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just needed some air.”“Yeah, figured.” He leaned against the railing beside me, eyes scanning the courtyard below. “You sh
Dante’s POVThe room was thick with tension. My men stood quietly, shoulders rigid, eyes shifting nervously as if one wrong move would bring down my wrath, waiting for me to address them. I stood at the front, my eyes cold and steady, studying their faces and trying to figure out who could be trusted and who needed to be weeded out. The recent attack had shaken my operations, and I wouldn’t stand for weakness or betrayal.My hand rested on the polished wood of the table before me, and I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could utter a word, the door swung open with a bang. Heads turned, and I found myself narrowing my eyes at the unexpected interruption.Lucia stormed in, her footsteps pounding against the floor. Anger radiated off her, practically nearly heating up the room. She didn’t look at me, no, her eyes were locked on one of my men standing near the back, an older, rough-looking bastard named Valentin.Valentin straightened up, trying to act unaffected by her approach, but
Lucia’s POVI was lucky. Too lucky.Escaping that night had been a miracle, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come. Every step of my investigation had led me down the same road, and now, all signs pointed to one person—Vincenzo.I still couldn’t understand his motivation. He was smart, calculating, but to orchestrate something of this scale? To have the nerve to challenge Dante like this? It was a dangerous game, and if I was right, then I wasn’t just dealing with betrayal. I was dealing with a war.Dante had refused to tell me what actually happened. I needed answers.And there was only one person I could think of who might have them.My father.As I stepped out of the building, the cool evening air hit my skin, but it did nothing to ease the heaviness in my chest. My thoughts raced, tangled with the weight of everything I had learned and everything I still didn’t know.I didn’t even make it far before I heard a familiar voice behind me.“Lucia?”I turned to