Lilian was at the casino, sitting in a luxurious private booth, sipping on a glass of red wine when her phone rang. The moment she saw Dante’s name on the screen, her heart skipped a beat. She quickly picked up the call, her fingers trembling slightly with excitement. Dante never called her. But today, he had.The call had been brief, his voice calm—too calm. The moment it ended, she sat frozen, staring at her phone as if expecting it to ring again. Slowly, she looked up, her eyes fixating on an empty spot in the room. Was she dreaming? Had she imagined it? She replayed his words in her head, trying to make sense of them.“Lilian, I need you in my dungeon.”Those had been his exact words. Not a demand, not a threat—just a simple statement in a voice so smooth and controlled yet it sent shivers down her spine.A slow smile curled her lips as she leaned back against the plush seat, running her fingers along the rim of her glass. “Dante wants me in his dungeon,” she murmured, her mind ra
Dante’s voice was calm. It was the kind of calm that made the room feel suffocating, the kind that sent chills down the spine, warning of the storm that was about to break. There was no rage in his tone, no shouting—just a steady, controlled voice that carried more danger than any scream ever could.“You know him?” he asked, his deep voice smooth yet razor-sharp.It was a simple question, but it held a weight that pressed down on Lilian’s chest, making it hard to breathe. She felt the warning hidden beneath those three words. This wasn’t just a question—it was a noose tightening around her neck, waiting for her to hang herself with her answer.“I… I… I…” Lilian stammered. Her mouth felt dry. Her tongue refused to cooperate. The words choked her before they could even escape.Dante’s lips curled into a mocking smirk.“Oh? Now you stammer?” he said, his voice laced with cruel amusement.And then, he stood.Lilian felt the shift in the air immediately.Dante moved with the kind of grace
After leaving the dungeon, Dante walked briskly to his car, heading toward Sophia’s office. Rolling up his sleeves, he slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Another man was dead by his hands. Another soul lost. Another life taken.Ever since his father’s death, killing had come with a strange mix of emotions. The satisfaction of getting rid of those who crossed him, the power he held in deciding life and death—it was intoxicating. But at the same time, it left a hollow feeling inside him. Because no matter how many people he killed, no matter how much blood he spilled, it wasn’t his father’s killers he was eliminating.If only it were them. If only each death was justice for his father.He gritted his teeth as he pulled out, steering his car toward Sophia’s office.A few minutes from her office, he suddenly realized he wasn’t in the right state of mind to see her. His chest was tight, his hands gripping the wheel too hard, his jaw clenched painfully. Anger burned inside
Dante pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against Sophia’s as their breath mingled. His hands cradled her face, his thumbs gently stroking her warm cheeks. His voice was low and filled with emotion as he whispered against her lips, “I promise, princess. I won’t let anything keep me away from you.”Sophia looked into his deep, dark eyes, searching for any trace of doubt. But all she saw was sincerity, raw and unshaken. Her heart swelled, and a small, soft smile formed on her lips. “Good,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.Then, without hesitation, she leaned in, claiming his lips once more. This time, her kiss was urgent, filled with a hunger she could no longer hold. Her fingers tangled in his thick hair, pulling him even closer, as if she wanted to drown in him.Dante groaned against her lips, his arms tightening around her waist as he deepened the kiss. He lifted her effortlessly and carried her toward her desk, never breaking contact. When he reached it, he pla
Dante held her tightly, his arms wrapped securely around her as they basked in the afterglow of their moment. Sophia rested her head against his chest, her breathing still unsteady, her body molded perfectly against his. She could still feel the warmth of his touch, the lingering sensation of his lips on hers.Dante gently ran his fingers through her hair, pressing a soft kiss on the top of her head. His heart was still racing, but he felt utterly at peace with her in his arms. He closed his eyes for a moment, wanting to savor this closeness for as long as possible.But just as he was about to speak, a loud ringing cut through the silence, making them both jolt.Sophia’s eyes widened slightly, and she quickly pulled away from Dante’s embrace. She reached for her phone, glancing at the screen. The name displayed on the screen. Dad.She straightened her dress, running her fingers through her hair to smooth it down. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before answering the
Dante led Sophia to the car, his hand resting protectively on the small of her back. When they reached the passenger side, he opened the door for her with ease, stepping aside so she could slide in. With gentle care, he placed her bag and laptop in the backseat before shutting the door. Then, without a word, he moved to the driver’s side, got in, and started the engine.The low hum of the car filled the silence as they pulled onto the road. The city lights flickered outside, casting a soft glow inside the vehicle. The atmosphere was peaceful.Dante kept one hand on the steering wheel, effortlessly maneuvering through the streets, while his other hand drifted to Sophia’s lap. His fingers moved slowly, tracing circles on her thigh, his touch warm and possessive. It wasn’t rushed or demanding—just enough to remind her of his presence.Sophia sat quietly, her eyes fixed on him, completely lost in thought.Where was this man all my life? she wondered. Where had he been while I wasted my ti
CHAPTER 75Eric made sure that his daughter, Lilian, got home safely. He had assign someone to watched her carefully throughout the day, making sure she was calm and had rested well before deciding to confront her. He knew she needed to be in the right frame of mind to handle what he was about to tell her.After ensuring she was calm, he finally made his way to her house. As he stepped inside, the atmosphere was heavy. The dim lighting of her living room cast long shadows on the walls, and the faint scent of perfume mixed with alcohol filled the air. The soft sound of music played in the background, but it did nothing to ease the tension in Eric’s chest.He walked in further and found her sitting at her private wine bar, a glass of red wine in her hand. She tapped her manicured fingers absentmindedly against the glass, her expression unreadable as she stared at the deep red liquid swirling inside.“Lilian?” Eric called her name, his voice firm, breaking the silence.She looked up slow
As soon as Sophia entered the house, she walked straight into the living area, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. The familiar scent of home filled her nostrils, bringing back memories of when she used to live here.Her father was seated comfortably on the large sofa, going through some old files with a glass of whiskey placed on the table beside him. The moment she walked in, he looked up, his eyes lighting up with warmth.“Oh, here you are,” he said, setting the files aside.“Good day, Dad,” she greeted with a small smile.“If it’s not my beautiful daughter, then who?” he replied with a wide grin. “Good day, honey. How have you been?”Sophia watched as he stood up and opened his arms. She didn’t hesitate to step forward, wrapping her arms around him in a warm hug.“I’ve been good, Dad,” she said softly.Her father pulled back slightly, looking at her face. “It’s been like… when? A month or two?”She let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. “No, Dad, I don’t think
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