Chapter 3: An Uncomfortable Attractiveness

Dante sat by himself in his office, the weight of the quiet falling on him intensifying the seething conflict rooted since yesterday night. His mind kept running over Elena's remarks, her fierce defiance, and the way she saw through his carefully put on walls. Like any other aspect in his kingdom, he ought to have been able to ignore it and drive her to the background. But Elena was different. Her fortitude and bravery against all he stood for pulled at something buried deep inside him—a part of himself he believed had vanished years ago.

Still, he was unable to afford to focus on it. Rules governed this planet, ones that had kept him alive and in charge. He could not afford to let someone like her puckers his ideas.

His thoughts were broken by the creaking open door of his office. Enzo arrived with a tense and wary look, an odd flash of anxiety.

"They responded, boss," Enzo said, his voice tight.

Looking up, Dante hid his own anxiety with the icy indifference that had grown second nature. "What's the word?”

"They are not treating your declaration lightly. Men under DiGregorio seem to believe they are entitled to revenge. Enzo threw a file across the desk, his mouth in a straight line. "They are pursuing our sources in the lower district, not only one of our assets."

Dante's jaw tightened, resentment boiling under his cool front. If nothing else than arrogant, the DiGregorios were With their small-scale assaults, they felt they could influence him and shape his choices. Still, they had not yet realized who they were actually dealing with.

"Send a message back," Dante continued, his tone cool and under control. "Make it clear that they will not be walking away from consequences if they keep down this road."

Enzo nodded but he stayed still. His gaze betrayed a hesitancy, something unspoken weighing on his thoughts.

"What is it?" Dante insisted, not feeling like evasiveness.

Enzo leaned back and crossed his arms. Dante, with all the due respect, this is a deadly game. Making Elena untouchable leaves us in a vulnerable state. Now, the DiGregorios regard her as a weakness, and they will make as much as possible advantage of that.

Dante's eye become sharp. He anticipated the inquiries and the resistance. But he had not expected the unusual, possessive twist in his chest at just considering her injury. Though illogical, stupid perhaps, it was there and he couldn't ignore it.

Then let them try, he murmured, his voice glacial. "I want anyone who crosses that line not to live to see another day."

Enzo nodded curtly, while the mistrust persisted. "Understood, boss.".

Dante slumped back as Enzo left the room, his choice weighing over him. He recognized the hazards and the consequences. Not until they tested every conceivable limit would the DiGregorios yield back. And now Elena was under his protection, she had turned into an unintentional piece in a game far more lethal than she knew.

But he became oddly determined as he gazed at the door. He was unconcerned about what it took. Though it meant destroying the very kingdom he had created, he would guarantee her protection.

The hours went on, his mind divided between his dominion and the mounting draw toward Elena. Years of developing power, control, and yet here he was, losing that same control over something as basic as a woman's disobedience.

His dream was broken as evening descended by a knock on his office door. This time Enzo was not involved. One of his more recent enforcers, Luca was young, aspirational, with a taste for carelessness that had both delighted and annoyed Dante.

"Boss," Luca said with an urgent tone. I was on the street walking. Heard anything possibly interesting for you.

Dante arched his eyebrow to indicate he should keep going.

Word is, the DiGregorios have a major project in mind. Attaching some of the smaller gangs to their side, they are planning a conference to mobilize them. Luca fixed a focused, eager look. They say you have gone soft and that your attention is scattered.

Dante's face stayed blank, but inside his annoyance bubbled. Though rumors were expected, an overt challenge? If they believed he was losing his edge, they were profoundly incorrect.

His voice low, he asked, "When and where?"

"Midnight in the old shipping warehouse near the docks."

Dante turned to show a chilly smile. " perfect."

Dante was already in the shadows of the warehouse by midnight, staring at the humans huddled around improvised tables and containers. Along with a few members of minor gangs—an alliance of despair and mistaken ambition—DiGregorio's guys were there. To believe they could come together and grab what was his was stupidity.

Dante observed one of the DiGregorios start speaking to the assembly; the acoustics of the warehouse distorted his remarks. Dante, though, did not have to hear every syllable. It was obviously intended. They were gathering, trying to present him as a monarch whose attention was divided by an unanticipated connection, a king weakened.

He tensed at a flash of motion. Skulking close to the side door, someone slipped stealthily into the shadows. He identified the person right away—Elena.

She was doing what the devil exactly here?

The disclosure set up a fresh wave of resentment in him. She had no place in this planet and no awareness of the risks she was running by just existing here. But he couldn't ignore the little flutter of respect mixed with his annoyance as he regarded her. She was reckless as yet fearless.

He moved, falling in the shadows till he was straight behind her before he could stop himself. His hand drew back her into the wall by closing around her wrist.

"What do you think you are doing?" He murmured angrily, his eye blazing into hers.

Elena gasped; she did not struggle. Her eyes locked with his, a mix of defiance and something more that mirrored the odd force he sensed every time he was close to her.

She shot back, her voice almost above a whisper, "I could ask you the same thing." "I'm here because someone needs to know what these men are planning."

His hand tightened just a little, his eyes fixed. You are here risking your life. What are these folks capable of, do you know?

Her tone sharp as she said, "I know exactly what they are capable of." "Every day I live with the results of their behavior. But unlike you, I'm not just sitting about allowing them ruin of life.

Her comments stung him more than he had anticipated, setting him a flash of shame he hadn't experienced in years. But he pushed it down, reminding himself he had chosen this life for a purpose.

"You belong nowhere," he continued, his voice subdued and under control. And you will kill yourself if you're not careful.

Then why do you not let me go? She pushed back, her eyes fixed. Should you show no interest, why are you even here?

Dante's jaw tightened and his will wavered. At least not one he was ready to acknowledge, he had no response for her. All he knew was that something he couldn't ignore surged when he considered her in harm's path.

The warehouse resonated with the faint sound of footsteps before he could answer. Both stopped, instincts guiding them as they pushed back against the wall hidden in the darkness.

As several men passed them, one of them mumbled, "DiGregorio wants all hands on deck tonight." Says Moretti has become overly at ease.

Elena looked at Dante, a flutter of success in her eyes. "Listen that. Even they find you to be becoming soft.

Dante looked at her warningly, his annoyance mounting. "Quiet.

Elena, however, was relentless; her attitude changed to one of will. "I will act if you are not going to address this."

She slid from his hand, creeping toward the group of guys, her motions deliberate before he could stop her. Dante's irritation surged, but he was powerless; he followed, every instinct on alert.

The men's voices got louder and more specifics surfaced in their exchange as they neared. They intended to directly confront one of Dante's main enterprises, therefore endangering his authority over the lower sector. Dante's concentration stayed split, though, his eye straying between the current threat and Elena's careless proximity.

He looked suddenly; one of the soldiers had seen them and his eyes narrowed as he yelled, "Intruders!

Pulling Elena behind him as anarchy broke out, Dante followed instinct. Shots went off, yells erupted, and Dante moved with lethal accuracy disarming one assailant and rendering another disabled. Elena stayed close, her wide yet focused eyes fixated on the developing anarchy.

The men laid scattered, defeated as the dust cleared, but Dante's mind was racing. This was not only a skirmish.