Chapter 2

That one word gives me the last straw of hope and I hold onto it like a lifeline. My legs throb and my lungs burn from exhaustion but his outstretched hand keeps me going, running toward it like a beacon of hope.

With every step I take closer to him, I feel safer, but at the same time, I can sense his aura. His intensity and his displayed strength just by standing there. Against the barrage of gunfire from Serafino and his men, this man stands proud, completely unarmed, and that says a lot about him.

Without slowing down, I sprint straight into this stranger, colliding with his hard chest. With my mind hazy with adrenaline, I hide behind his broad back, hands gripped tightly around the material of his shirt.

“Thank you,” I gasp out, unsure if he heard me. I’m not safe yet, the danger is still very real and very close, but the moment I made it behind this man I felt protected.

“The invitation doesn’t extend to you too, Mr. Regis. Leave, now.” His voice is delicious like a deep velvet, but his tone and intent are filled with ragged edges and murderous seriousness.

“Now, now Dante. No need to go alpha on me,” Serafino says, I don’t need to look to know he has his hands in the air, because if it were me on the opposite side, I’d cower from fear of this man called Dante. “That’s my property you have there, give her back.”

I shudder at that. Never in my life did I think I’d be degraded down to someone’s property. 

Dante takes a step forward, but with me holding tightly onto his shirt, he takes me with him. “She came here of her own free will and I’m granting her sanctuary,” Dante replies without missing a beat, his voice still icy cold but a lot calmer now than earlier. “You can’t touch me, Serafino. Feel free to take her by force, but you know the consequences. You may state your terms, but for now, leave.” His voice booms across the open field. There’s no room for argument in his tone, not even for someone like Serafino.

Serafino scoffs loudly before bellowing his next words, “You will regret this! She is mine!”

 I shudder at his last words. I am not his. I will never be his. 

I don’t remember what happens after that. My legs feel like jelly and suddenly I’m in the back of a car being driven somewhere. Then, I’m ushered into a building. Someone hands me a glass of water that I practically inhale.

How did it come to this? I need to find a way to free myself and my sister from Serafino. But what? My father sold both of us, so I have nothing. It’s not like I can negotiate to work off my father’s debt because I’ll be Serafino’s slave until the day that I die. And based on the way he talks about owning me… I’d rather not imagine what he’s thinking of doing once he gets his filthy hands on me.

Think, Jean. Think!

There’s no way I can afford to buy myself back. Unless…

“Dante wishes to see you, Miss.”

That’s right. Dante. I was spared by a man named Dante. And he will save me too. He must be a person of power in the underground for someone as powerful as Serafino Regis would run away, tail tucked between his legs. He will be my salvation, no matter the cost.

Head much clearer now, the same man who gave me water ushers me towards a door on the second floor. “Just through here. Luca will escort you.”

I enter and I’m greeted by a man who’s a full head taller than me, probably more. He’s wearing a silk black button-down shirt and a pair of black pants. In his hand is a glass of suspicious-looking liquid which I’m guessing is a custom mixed drink. 

“Well, well, what do we have here?” Luca, I’m assuming has a slight Italian accent. His face seems young for someone as tall as he is. 

I feel the dread grow inside me. Is this what death feels like? Because this man reminds me so much of death, his smile seems sweet but there’s something oddly sinister about it too. Like someone who’d smile brightly as he hammers the last nail down on your coffin.

“I’m here to see Dante,” I say with as much conviction as I can muster.

“Yes, yes. You all want to see Dante, and no one wants to see Luca.” He says with a dismissive wave of his hand. And Is he… pouting? “Follow me.”

This is it, whatever lies beyond this point will decide my fate. The double doors to what I assume is Dante’s office open and what I see is not what I expected.

What did I expect? To walk into a dark room where Dante’s chopping off fingers from some poor man who failed to keep his promise? Probably, after assuming he’s involved with the underground, maybe a mobster or a mafia leader.

But what I see are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lining each wall filled with various books. In the middle of the room is a large mahogany table. I wonder how many fingers got cut off on top of that.

“Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong, Miss Atwood.” 

Huh? Does he know who I am? 

The man’s deep voice knocks me out of my head. I’m out of my league here but I need to do what needs to be done. 

“I’m here to ask a favor.” 

When he finally faces me, I’m awestruck by what I see. Now, unobscured by the darkness I see Dante is breathtakingly beautiful. His eyes aren't just gray, they're a deep color as if a storm is always brewing in them. Orbs that I could easily get lost in.

He takes me in, his eyes moving up and down my whole body and I could have sworn I saw something flash of recognition in his eyes but he quickly regains his composure. 

He seems to have seen something in me as he studies me because his expression changes as if I’d piqued his interest. His lips form into a smirk as he says his next words. “I already granted you sanctuary, a favor like that does not come for free, and favors from me are very expensive, Miss Atwood. I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.”

I may not completely know what I’m getting into, but I’m not afraid to pay his price.

“I do.” A lie, but one I’m willing to uphold.

His smirk returns. “By all means, let’s hear it.”

I take a deep breath and savor it as it could well be my last depending on how this conversation goes. You’re doing this for Bianca, Jean. You need to do this for Bianca.

“Buy me.”