The moment Sophia looked at Dante, every trace of embarrassment from the previous day vanished. Just seeing him had an instant calming effect on her, like a wave of warmth washing over her tense body.It suddenly hit her—every time she was on the verge of breaking, Dante had always shown up, right on time, without fail. Like fate kept placing him right where she needed him.Was this a sign?Were they supposed to be together?The thought sent her mind spiraling, making her heart race in a way she wasn’t sure she was ready to understand.She got lost in her thoughts, replaying every moment they had shared since the day they met. The stolen glances, the heated tension, the way his touch set her body on fire, the way he made her feel things she had never felt before.And then, last night.A fresh wave of heat rushed to her cheeks as she remembered how she had shamelessly fallen to her knees for him, how she had touched him, how she had taken him in her mouth like a woman starved. The way
Dante sat in his office, his fingers tapping lightly against the polished surface of his desk. His sharp eyes were fixed on nothing in particular, lost in deep thought. The room was silent except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. His mind drifted back to the mission that had fueled his every decision for the past few years—the hunt for his father’s killer.He had spent years gathering information, tracking enemies, and eliminating threats, but lately, he had been distracted. It wasn’t like him to lose focus, not when revenge was at stake. His father’s death was still an open wound, one that could only be healed with blood. He had sworn to find the person responsible and make them pay. Yet, somehow, in the past few weeks, his thoughts had been clouded with something—or rather, someone—else.Sophia.The mere thought of her made his hardened expression soften slightly. She was unlike anyone he had ever met. She had a way of getting under his skin, of making him feel things
Dante pulled up outside Sophia’s office building, stepping out of his sleek black car. The moment he entered, his eyes searched for her, eager to see her face. His heart thumped harder when he spotted her in heroffice. She was gathering her things, completely unaware of his presence yet.God, she’s beautiful.Dante took a deep breath and stepped inside. The moment Sophia looked up and saw him, her whole face lit up. That smile—so bright, so full of warmth—it melted every bit of stress in him. He didn’t even realize how tense he had been until that very second.She stood up as he walked toward her, and before she could say a word, he pulled her into a deep, lingering kiss. Sophia gasped softly but melted into his arms, her hands resting on his chest. His lips moved slowly against hers, savoring every second.When he pulled away, she blinked up at him, breathless.“You came just in time,” she whispered.“I always will,” Dante murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.She smile
Lilian stepped out of the casino, one of her family’s many businesses. The casino was more than just a place where people gambled their money away—it was one of the key establishments where her family laundered money from their mafia dealings. It was a crucial part of their empire, and as the daughter of someone who works closely with a mafia figure, Lilian had a deep understanding of how their operations worked.As she walked toward the sleek black car waiting for her, her bodyguard quickly opened the door for her. Without sparing him a glance, she slipped into the backseat. Her driver was already seated in the front, his hands firmly on the wheel, ready to take her to her next destination. Her assistant, a sharp and efficient woman, slid into the seat beside her.The moment the car pulled away from the casino, her PA wasted no time. She opened her tablet and began listing out Lilian’s remaining schedule for the day, her tone professional and precise. Lilian listened absentmindedly,
Three Days later. Sophia sat on the couch, her fingers lightly tracing the frame of her mother’s portrait. The large picture hung on the wall, glowing softly under the dim light of the room. Her mother’s eyes, kind and full of warmth, stared back at her. The smile on her face was gentle—the kind of smile that made a house feel like home and eradicated people's worry in seconds. It had been years since her mother passed, but the pain still felt fresh, scorching against her body and soul. Some wounds never truly healed—wounds like this one. Today was her mother’s death anniversary, a day that should have been filled with light and remembrance. Instead, Sophia sat alone, lost in the silence of her apartment.She let out a deep sigh, her heart heavy with thoughts of what life could have been. If her mother were still alive, everything would be different. She would have had a childhood filled with warmth instead of cold, painful memories. There would have been laughter instead of endless
Without a word, he pulled her closer into more comfortable hug. His presence alone made her feel a little less heavy, but the pain in her heart was still there, raw and deep.At first, she stiffened slightly, not used to being held like this. But as the warmth of his body surrounded her, she felt herself melting into him. His scent—masculine, familiar, safe—filled her senses, and for the first time that day, she took a deep, steady breath.Her fingers clutched the fabric of his suit, gripping it tightly like she was afraid to let go. She didn’t realize how much she had needed this until now. Dante’s arms felt like a shield, a barrier against the world. Against her pain. Against the emptiness she had been drowning in all day.She closed her eyes, resting her cheek against his chest. His heartbeat was strong and steady, grounding her. She felt a lump rise in her throat, but she swallowed it down, trying to hold back her emotions.Dante didn’t speak. He didn’t rush her. He just held her,
Once they finished eating, Dante leaned back in his chair, watching Sophia with a satisfied look. The meal was delicious, and he could tell she had put effort into making it special. He appreciated that. Sophia stood up, beginning to clear the plates, but before she could carry anything, Dante reached out and took them from her hands.“I’ll help,” he said simply.She blinked at him in surprise. She hadn’t expected that. “You don’t have to, Dante. You’re my guest.”He smirked. “And? I don’t see why that means I can’t help. Come on, let’s clean up together.”She hesitated for a moment but then gave him a small smile. “Okay.”Together, they cleared the dining area. Sophia collected the glasses while Dante carried the plates to the kitchen. His movements were smooth and confident, as if he had done this a thousand times before. She was impressed—he didn’t seem like the type of man who did house chores.When they reached the kitchen, Sophia turned on the tap, letting warm water fill the s
Dante felt the shift in the air the moment Sophia stood up. Her movements were slow, deliberate. Her eyes, darkened with something he knew was more than just emotion, locked onto his with an intensity that made his muscles tense.She moved closer, her breath warm against his skin as she leaned in, her fingers grazing his jaw before trailing down to his neck. Dante swallowed hard, his entire body tightening with restraint. She was looking at him with the most seductive eyes he had ever seen, her lips slightly parted, tempting, inviting.Sophia reached for his collar, tugging him closer until their faces were just inches apart. Her breath hitched as her lips barely brushed against his. “Dante…” she whispered, her voice heavy with longing.Dante’s jaw clenched. She was tipsy—he could tell from the slight haze in her eyes and the way she swayed just a little. She wasn’t drunk, but she wasn’t entirely in control either. And that meant he couldn’t—no, he wouldn’t—take advantage of her.But
Sophia stepped into her apartment, locking the door behind her with trembling hands. The moment she was inside, she let out a shaky breath, her body sagging against the door.She just wanted to be alone.Away from the world.Away from the cruel eyes watching her every move.Away from the endless whispers and accusations that clung to her like shadows.Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady herself, but the lump in her throat refused to go away.Slowly, she made her way to the bathroom.Lately, it had become her only place of relieve. The one place where she could let herself break without fear.She turned on the shower, watching as the water streamed down like a thin curtain.Steam rose, filling the small space with warmth, but it did nothing to soothe the coldness in her heart.Without hesitation, she stepped in, letting the water pour down her body.At first, the sensation was comforting—the heat wrapping around her, offering her a false sense of security.But then, as the
Sophia was on her way to work, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly as she tried to focus on the road ahead. But no matter how hard she tried, her mind kept drifting back to everything she had fought so hard to bury. Maybe it was because Dante used to drop her off some mornings. She had gotten used to stepping outside and seeing him waiting for her, leaning casually against his car with that soft look in his eyes, as if she was the only thing that mattered. If she wasn’t with him, he would still be there sometimes, parked outside her apartment, his gaze full of warmth and patience.He used to pick her up too, like it was the most natural thing in the world. No matter how busy he was, no matter how many important things demanded his attention, he always made time for her. It had become a part of her life, a quiet but steady comfort.But now, there was only silence.The seat beside her was empty. The space that once held his presence, his quiet strength, now felt cold and u
CHAPTER 97Five days had passed. Five long, agonizing days since he had last seen her, touched her, or heard her voice.Dante sat on the balcony of one of his many mansions, his body still but his mind in chaos. The cool night air brushed against his skin, but it did nothing to calm him. He held a glass of wine in one hand, slowly swirling the dark liquid, watching how the deep red color glistened under the soft glow of the moonlight.His thoughts were consumed by her—Sophia.He could still see her standing there, right where he was now. The memory of her was so vivid, it was as if she had just been there moments ago. He could almost hear the soft sound of her laughter, feel the warmth of her body against his when he had come up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her close.He closed his eyes, letting the memory wash over him.That night had been one of the rare moments when he had allowed himself to be vulnerable. They had stood here, gazing at the night sky, los
Sophia stepped into her apartment, her entire body feeling weak, as if all the strength had drained out of her. The moment the door shut behind her, a heavy silence filled the space, wrapping around her like an invisible weight. Her chest felt tight, her throat burned— before she could stop herself, a sob broke free.She staggered to the couch, her legs barely holding her up. As soon as she reached it, she collapsed onto the cushions, burying her face in her hands. The tears came in uncontrollable waves, her shoulders shaking violently as she cried.It wasn’t just fear. It wasn’t just exhaustion. It was everything.The betrayal. The heartbreak. The helplessness.Her mind replayed every terrifying moment—Luca’s cruel smirk, his hands yanking her hair, the cold barrel of his gun pressed against her skin. She could still hear his voice whispering threats in her ear, still feel the suffocating fear that had gripped her when she thought she wouldn’t make it out alive.And then there was Da
Dante drove straight to his mansion, his grip on the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white. His jaw was clenched, his mind clouded with rage and frustration. The moment he pulled into the driveway, he didn’t waste a second. He stormed out of the car, slamming the door behind him, and headed straight for the dungeon.As he descended the cold, dark staircase, his boots echoed menacingly against the stone floor. The scent of blood and sweat filled the air, thick and suffocating. He got the dungeon and he saw that Martin had already carried out his orders. The five men he had assigned to protect Sophia were tied together against a metal pole, their heads hanging low, their bodies bruised and bloodied from the initial beating.But it wasn’t enough.Dante’s eyes darkened as he rolled up his sleeves, his muscles flexing with barely restrained fury. Without hesitation, he strode toward them, his breath heavy, his entire being vibrating with anger.“You useless pieces of shit,
Sophia felt a small wave of relief rush through her as she saw Dante standing there, powerful and untouchable. She felt like she could breathe again.Luca could no longer hurt her.Dante wouldn’t let him.But even with that relief, a sharp pain still stabbed at her chest. Her mind was clouded with the cruel words she had overheard earlier—the words Dante had spoken.“Do whatever you want to do. I don’t care about her.”That sentence echoed in her head like a curse.Was that how he really felt?Had everything between them been a lie?She recalled how he used to say she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, how he undressed her with such tenderness, whispering sweet words against her skin. Every touch, every promise—were they all lies?Her heart ached with confusion, with betrayal.But there was no time to dwell on it now.Dante took slow, calculated steps toward her, his presence dominating the room. Before reaching her, he turned his head and gave Luca one final look.That lo
“Oh, you’re threatening me?” Luca let out a dark, amused laugh. His eyes gleamed with twisted excitement as he pushed himself up from his chair. He began pacing back and forth like a caged predator, his voice rising with each word.“So you think you can scare me?” he sneered. “Your threats are empty, Dante. Completely useless. You’ll never find me. You’ll never see your woman again. And you already know you don’t want to mess with me.” His lips curled into a wicked grin as he taunted Dante. “Little thing,” he added mockingly, shaking his head as if Dante was nothing but a joke to him.Dante, however, remained eerily calm. His grip on the phone tightened slightly, but his voice stayed steady, cold, and lethal.“They’re not threats, Luca,” he said, his tone dangerously low. “It’s an order.”Luca stopped pacing, his smirk faltering for just a second.“Try me,” Dante continued, his voice dripping with authority. “Lay another finger on her, and you will see exactly what happens.”There was
Luca’s voice dripped with mockery as he spoke. “I have your princess, no! sister-in-law right here with me.” He let out a low chuckle. “She really is beautiful. No wonder you’ve been hiding her from us. No wonder you refuse to do what must be done.”He paused, savoring the moment before continuing, his tone laced with venom. “The great Dante Gilmatro, the man who waited years—decades—to bring down Miguel De Luca, is now hesitating. You spent your whole life plotting revenge against the man who murdered our father, and yet, now that he’s right under your nose, you do nothing. Because of a woman, you’ve abandoned everything.”Luca sneered, watching Sophia’s reaction from the corner of his eye. “Tell me, brother, do you think she’ll still love you when she finds out the truth? That the man she adores, the man she trusts, is plotting to eliminate her father.He let his words hang in the air before delivering the final blow. “And we both know the truth, don’t we? If you really wanted Migue
Sophia’s mind felt like it was trapped in a thick, suffocating fog. A dull pounding echoed inside her skull, each throb reminding her that something was terribly wrong. Her limbs felt heavy, her body sluggish as if she had been pulled from the depths of unconsciousness too soon. She tried to move, but her muscles screamed in protest.The air around her smelled damp, mixed with something metallic—blood, perhaps? The coldness of the surface beneath her seeped into her skin, making her shiver. As her senses slowly returned, so did the memories. The road. The car. The sudden opening of the door. The rag pressed against her nose. And then—darkness.Her eyelids fluttered weakly before they finally opened.The first thing she saw were piercing eyes watching her.A man sat in front of her, his gaze fixed on her like a predator who had been patiently waiting for his prey to wake. His face was unfamiliar—sharp features, a menacing smirk curving his lips. The dim, flickering light above barely i