Chapter 2: A Dangerous Invitation

Isla’s pulse thundered in her ears, but she refused to show weakness. Not here. Not in front of him.

Dominic Valenti leaned against the desk, his piercing gaze locked onto her as the last students shuffled out of the lecture hall. The heavy doors groaned shut behind them, sealing her in with him. Alone.

He didn’t speak at first. He simply watched her, as if he was waiting for her to break the silence. Waiting for her to fold.

She wouldn’t.

Lifting her chin, she crossed her arms. “You said we should talk, Professor?” She forced the title out, daring him to play the role he had taken on.

His smirk deepened, but there was something darker behind it. Amusement? Interest? Danger.

“You’re quite bold for a Ricci,” he mused, his voice smooth, deliberate. “Most would tread more carefully in my presence.”

A chill ran through her. She didn’t need him to say it outright—he knew exactly who she was. And he wanted her to know that he knew.

She tilted her head, keeping her expression neutral. “And most professors don’t single out students on the first day.”

He chuckled, low and dark. “Touché.”

He pushed off the desk, moving toward her in slow, measured steps. Isla held her ground, even as he closed the space between them. He stopped just a few feet away, close enough for her to catch the faint scent of expensive cologne, dark and intoxicating.

“You’re wondering why I’m here,” he murmured. It wasn’t a question.

Isla’s stomach tightened. She didn’t answer.

His gaze flicked over her, studying, calculating. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he said, “What would your father say if he knew I was standing this close to his daughter?”

Her breath hitched.

Bastard. He was testing her, taunting her, pushing her to react.

She swallowed down the heat rising in her chest. “I don’t know. Why don’t we call him and find out?”

His lips quirked as if he was impressed. “Fiery. I like that.”

Her stomach twisted. This is a game to him.

“What do you want, Professor?” she asked, keeping her voice steady.

Dominic studied her for a moment longer, then reached into his suit pocket. He pulled out a small card and held it out to her. “Dinner. Tonight.”

Her fingers twitched, but she didn’t move. “You expect me to go to dinner with you?”

“I expect you to be smart enough not to decline.” His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it—a challenge wrapped in silk.

Isla hesitated, her mind screaming at her to say no. To walk away.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she reached out, taking the card from his hand. Their fingers barely brushed, but the contact sent a jolt of awareness through her.

She didn’t look at the address. She didn’t need to.

She already knew she was walking into danger.

Isla turned the card between her fingers, the smooth texture an unspoken promise of trouble. Dominic Valenti watched her, his expression unreadable, but she could feel the weight of his amusement.

“You don’t have to look so nervous,” he murmured. “It’s just dinner.”

She scoffed, shoving the card into her bag. “Nothing is ever ‘just’ anything with men like you.”

His smirk deepened. “Smart girl.”

He stepped closer—too close. Isla refused to step back, but every nerve in her body was on high alert. He was testing her boundaries, seeing how far she’d bend before she broke.

“Tell me, Isla,” he said, his voice low, teasing, “are you afraid of me?”

She met his gaze without flinching. “No.”

A lie.

His eyes flickered with something dark. “You should be.”

Her breath caught, but she kept her face impassive. “If I were afraid, I wouldn’t be standing here.”

Dominic chuckled, the sound rich and deep, like a man who wasn’t used to being challenged but enjoyed it.

“Good.” His voice dropped just above a whisper. “That will make this more fun.”

Before she could respond, he turned away, walking toward his desk with the kind of confidence only a man who owned the room could carry. Dismissing her.

Tension coiled in Isla’s stomach. He had thrown the bait, and she had taken it. Dinner with him wasn’t just an invitation—it was a test.

And she wasn’t sure she wanted to know what would happen if she failed.

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the lecture hall, ignoring the lingering heat of his gaze burning into her back.

But as she stepped into the hallway, her heart pounded harder than before.

Because Dominic Valenti wasn’t just her professor.

He was a predator.

And she had just agreed to step into his den.

Isla forced herself to walk steadily down the hallway, even though her legs felt unsteady beneath her. The moment she rounded the corner, she exhaled sharply, pressing a hand to her chest. What the hell did I just agree to?

Dinner with Dominic Valenti. A man feared in their world. A man her father would kill on sight if he knew how close he had gotten to her.

She should have told him no.

She should have walked away.

But she hadn’t.

And now, the weight of that decision settled in her bones.

She stepped outside, the cool air brushing against her heated skin. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, snapping her back to reality. Pulling it out, she glanced at the screen.

Unknown Number.

Her stomach twisted. She hesitated before answering.

“…Hello?”

Silence.

Then, a low chuckle. “You left so quickly, I thought you might have changed your mind.”

Her fingers tightened around the phone. Dominic.

She glanced around instinctively, scanning the parking lot. Was he watching her?

“I don’t recall giving you my number,” she said, keeping her voice steady.

“You didn’t,” he admitted. “But men like me don’t need permission.”

A shiver ran down her spine. This was a game to him. A dangerous, high-stakes game.

“What do you want?” she demanded.

“I already told you,” he said smoothly. “Dinner. Eight o’clock. Don’t be late.”

Before she could respond, the call disconnected.

She stared at her phone, pulse racing.

She should ignore him. Walk away before it is too late.

But deep down, she knew the truth.

It was already too late.