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 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 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
Dante’s POVLucia was lying to me.The second the words left her mouth, I caught it. Smooth delivery, steady eyes, calm voice. But that tiny flicker of tension in her jaw, the white-knuckled grip on her glass? Dead giveaways.And I knew.Because I had already been briefed. She had met with Daniel. Again.The little firefly thought she was clever, slipping out unnoticed, running straight into the arms of another man. But she wasn’t as invisible as she believed. I had eyes on her the moment she left the house, tracking her every step.I let the lie sit between us for a beat before I chuckled, low and slow. “Visiting your father? That’s sweet.” I swirled my glass lazily. “How is he?”She hesitated just for a fraction of a second. “He’s… fine.”Another lie.The temptation to push her, to let her know just how much I knew, was strong. But I had played this game far too long to move carelessly. No, it would be much more interesting to let her think she had fooled me.Because when she finall
Lucia’s POVThe scent of freshly baked bread filled my room as Alina pressed a small tray into my hands.“You keep forgetting to eat,” she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. “And I don’t need you fainting in Dante’s presence. He might actually enjoy that.”I rolled my eyes and tore off a piece of bread. “Oh, sure. He’d probably smirk and say it proves I’m helpless, then lock me away like some fragile doll.”Alina chuckled but didn’t argue. She sat beside me, her presence making this cold house feel a little less lonely.“You did an amazing job with the dress,” I told her, running my fingers over the silk she had altered for me. “You’re the only reason I don’t look like a mess every day.”She grinned, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s nothing, really. Besides, it’s nice to have someone to talk to.”And I knew what she meant.She was my only link to something human. Something normal. Without her, I’d be alone with Dante’s world.The door slammed open and the warmth va
Dante’s POVMy consigliere was right to suspect her. The betrayal in my ranks wasn’t just bad luck or coincidence. Someone had been feeding information to the cops, and my empire was bleeding because of it.But Lucia?No.I didn’t want to believe it. I couldn’t.She was reckless, stubborn, but a traitor? The thought made my jaw clench. If she were guilty, I’d have seen the signs. Yet doubt curled in the back of my mind like a serpent, whispering that maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as innocent as I wanted to believe. I had planned to deal with her head-on… but I couldn’t bring myself to. Not without solid proof.My phone buzzed on the desk.“The car is ready,” the voice on the other end informed me.I exhaled, running a hand through my hair before pushing away from the desk. I had bigger problems than my own suspicions. If I wanted answers, I needed to go straight to the source.Antonio Castellano wouldn’t lie to me.I made a quick stop at his house before heading to the meeting.Antoni
Lucia’s POV I spent the day combing through scattered notes, some hastily scribbled, others underlined to the point of tearing. The more I pieced together, the clearer it became that Vincenzo was the common denominator in everything that had gone wrong. But it wasn’t enough.I needed more than a gut feeling and circumstantial evidence. Dante would never move without solid proof, and neither would the men in his ranks. Without hard facts, Vincenzo would keep getting away untouched.I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. Frustration burned in my chest.The journalist, though...I flipped through my notes again, rereading the little I had on him. His articles were brutal, painting Dante as a criminal and trying to expose him for what he truly was. It made it seem like Dante was desperately trying to clean up his image, but it wasn’t working. That wasn’t surprising, since Dante had no shortage of enemies. But the man himself? His background didn’t add up.I traced a finger
Lucia’s POVI didn’t move. I couldn’t. My pulse pounded so hard it felt like my ribs would crack under the pressure.The maid sobbed, her body trembling as the blade pressed against her delicate throat. The three men standing before me weren’t faceless intruders, I knew them.They were Dante’s men.And leading them? His consigliere.My breath caught. I’d seen Enzo many times before, standing by Dante’s side and quietly giving him advice. Always calm and composed. But now, his face was cold and merciless, eyes filled with nothing but fury.“What do you want?” I demanded, forcing steel into my voice despite the terror clawing at my throat. My gaze flickered to the maid, her eyes begging for help. “Let her go. She has nothing to do with whatever is going on here.”Enzo tilted his head, as if amused by my boldness. “Do you know what you are, Lucia?” His voice was smooth, almost conversational. “Misfortune.”I gasped.“You’ve done nothing but bring ruin since the moment you set foot into
Lucia’s POV The venue glimmered like something out of a dream or a very well-funded lie. Crystal chandeliers hung from ceilings so high they could scrape heaven. Women in fancy dresses moved through the room like ghosts dipped in gold, while men in dark suits stood around the edges with whiskey in one hand, secrets in the other. Soft buzzes from security earpieces filled the air.I stood near the bar, pretending to sip champagne. I hadn’t taken more than two mouthfuls. My stomach was still knotted from what I’d learned days ago.Betrayal tasted like blood at the back of my throat and no matter how much champagne I drank, I couldn’t get rid of it. It ruined everything, turning something sweet into something so bitter and rotten.Dante was busy speaking to a cluster of high-ranking Mafia associates near the grand piano, his jaw tight and gestures sharp. His dark eyes scanned the room constantly, every movement like a predator calculating its next strike. I watched him and couldn’t help
Lucia’s POVThe message came at 5:13 a.m., the screen lightening up in the early dawn light like a warning I should’ve taken more seriously.“Meet me at 8. It’s urgent. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t. Same spot as before. – D”I stared at it longer than I should have, my thumb hovering over the keyboard, then pulling back. My stomach coiled with uncertainty.After a long time, I decided I had to see him.I didn’t tell anyone I was leaving. Not Dante. Not Lucas. Not even the maid who always insisted on bringing me coffee and watching for the slightest crack in my expression. I slipped out of the mansion before the sun could fully rise, a scarf wrapped around my neck and a hoodie pulled over my head like I was trying to disappear.Dante had paid me generously for my work as his accountant, so I had more than enough to get a cab now. The air outside bit at my skin. Chicago was never gentle, not even in April. I decided to take the train instead of calling a car, it was safer that way. No t
Dante’s POV The cigarette burned between my fingers, the nicotine barely touching the storm inside me. I stared at Gabriel like I was trying to piece together a puzzle I never asked for. He looked the same. Dark trench coat, polished shoes, and a smugness that could outlast the cold wind slapping Chicago’s streets. Always watching. Always waiting. “What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, flicking ash onto the sidewalk. He straightened, stepped forward with a relaxed elegance that only made me more paranoid. “Looking out for you.” I narrowed my eyes. “You following me now?” “No.” He shrugged. “Just… keeping tabs. There’s a difference.” My jaw tensed. “I don’t need babysitting.” Gabriel chuckled. “You always say that. Even when your world’s on fire.” “I’ve got it under control.” “Do you?” he asked, voice dipping low with implication. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like your kingdom’s got more than a few cracks.” My spine went rigid. He raised his h
Dante’s POVShe wasn’t supposed to see that. Not again.The gunshot still echoed in my mind—not because I regretted pulling the trigger, but because of who had been watching.Her gasp. Her eyes. The way she ran from me like I was the devil himself.I’ve heard that sound before—bones snapping, air leaving lungs, the final sputter before silence—but none of it ever made me flinch. Not until I saw her standing there.Now? Now I can’t get the image out of my head: her wide eyes, pale face, hand clutched over her mouth like she might vomit. She looked at me like I was unrecognizable.I knocked on her door three times. Nothing. I knocked again. Still nothing.Behind me, one of the guards shifted. “Boss,” he said lowly. “Do you want us to break it down?”The suggestion should’ve rolled right off my back. But it didn’t.I stared at the door handle. My hand itched to grip it, twist it, and walk in like it was still my home—like she was still mine to command.But that wasn’t how this worked. No
Lucia’s POVI ran out of the room and down the hallway, ignoring the nurse calling after me. My flat shoes slapped against the floor as I pushed through the care home’s front doors into the cool afternoon air. My heart was racing as I looked around the sidewalk, the curb, and the street.Nothing.The man had vanished.I turned in a full circle, biting my lip. Had I imagined him? Was I just being paranoid? After everything that had happened—the fire, the article, the accusations—it wouldn’t be a stretch.But no… I saw him. And I knew that face.I needed answers.Back inside, I approached the front desk where a nurse sat typing. She looked up with polite curiosity.“Hi,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I need to see today’s visitor log.”She blinked, unsure. “Is there a problem?”“No. I just… I think someone came to see my father without permission. I need to check.”Her brows furrowed, but after a moment, she turned the screen. “It’s mostly regulars. Here.”My eyes scanned the
Lucia’s POVThe soft murmur of the television stirred me awake before the sunlight did. My eyes were still heavy with sleep, but the voice coming from the screen made my stomach twist before I even understood the words.“…a once-promising businessman turned thief, Antonio Castellano’s fall from grace is not only a personal tragedy but a reflection of deeper corruption in Chicago…”I shot up in bed, every trace of sleep gone. My father’s name blared from the television like an alarm bell.“…rumored ties to Romano Enterprises raise eyebrows, especially in light of the fire that claimed the lives of Dante Romano’s family. Some sources suggest the fire wasn’t accidental…”What?I blinked at the screen, stunned as the report claimed my father might’ve been involved in both fires—the one that destroyed Dante’s family home, and the recent warehouse blaze.My heart hammered against my ribs. My hands trembled as I grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.“…anonymous sources believe the bla
Dante’s POV“Just stay put, Lucia,” I snapped, cutting her off. My voice softened slightly, but there was no mistaking the edge of command. “Please. For now, stay in here.”Her gaze flickered between me and the door, the tension between us thickening as I hit the call button.I waited, the seconds feeling like hours, until Lucas answered on the third ring. “Boss?”“Get to the beach house. Now,” I barked. “Pick up Lucia and take her home. Don’t let her out of your sight. Got it?”There was a pause on the other end. “Understood. We’ll be there in ten.”I hung up without another word. Turning back to Lucia, I made sure she saw the seriousness in my eyes. “I’m leaving someone here to watch you,” I added, grabbing my coat off the chair. “Just stay in the room. Don’t open the door for anyone except Lucas or me.”She took a step back, still processing. “You’re not telling me what’s going on,” she said, a trace of frustration creeping into her voice.“I can’t explain right now,” I said, not a
Dante’s POVShe pushed me away again.I should’ve been used to it by now. But every time she flinched from my touch or caught my wrist with those trembling fingers, it hit harder than I ever let on.I could’ve taken her that night. She was right there. Breathing heavy under my mouth, hands trembling like she didn’t know what she wanted. The way she closed her eyes when I kissed her… it wasn’t fear of me. It was fear of herself.And ever since I found out she was a virgin, everything shifted. It wasn’t just about claiming her anymore. It was about doing it right. I’d never waited on a woman before—not for anything—but with Lucia every instinct told me not to rush, that she wasn’t like the others. She wasn’t truly mine yet. But she would be.I had to show her the side of me no one else had seen—the part of me that wasn’t all rage and control. She had to feel it, even if she didn’t know it yet.Starting with her birthday.She never mentioned it, but I’m not stupid. A date like that does
Lucia’s POVHospitals always smelled the same: bleach, sadness, and something too clean to feel normal. I hated it.The white walls felt like they were closing in as I rushed past the nurses’ station, Rico just a few steps behind me.A nurse with tired eyes stopped me at the door to my father’s room. “You’re his daughter?”I nodded quickly, my heart stuck somewhere between my throat and stomach.“He was found unconscious on his porch,” she said. “We believe he fell down a short flight of stairs. The damage is minor—bruised ribs, slight concussion. He’s lucky. A little more force and—” she stopped herself. “He’s awake now. Confused, but awake.”My fingers tightened around the edge of my coat. “Thank you.”She smiled and stepped aside.I walked into the room.My father looked smaller. Thinner. His bones pressed against the sheets, and his face looked pale under the harsh lights. Tubes ran from his arms, and a dark bruise covered his temple like a shadow.“Dad,” I breathed.He stirred, e