LEONARDO'S POV I leaned back in my leather chair, my fingers tapping idly on the mahogany desk as I watched Agent Matthews. His sharp regard met mine, and I couldn't help but suppress a smirk. The hound had come sniffing around, looking for answers."So, Dante, huh?" I said, feigning casual interest. "Last seen at my casino, you say?"Agent Matthews' eyes didn't waver, his demeanor unflinching. "That's right, Mr. Salvadori. Any idea about his whereabouts?"I shrugged, my smile widening. "Well, you know how it is in the casino business. People come and go. We don't exactly keep track of their vacation plans."He arched an eyebrow, his gaze piercing through my facade. "Surely, you must have cameras, records..."I arched forward, my voice laced with amusement. "Of course we do, but you think I have the time to keep tabs on every Tom, Dick, and Dante who walks through those doors?""You seem awfully nonchalant about this. Considering your connections and resources, I find it hard to beli
ROSALINA'S POVThe distant echo of a car passing by outside was the only reminder of the world beyond these walls. I had just returned from a grueling evening at the ballet, my muscles still tingling with the memory of every graceful movement of the white swan. I had avoided Mr. Bennett as much as possible after he kissed me at his office. Being kissed by a man as old as my Papa made my skin crawl, and I had the urge to give my mouth a serious soap-scrubbing session.I stood in the dimly lit hallway, the faint hum of the overhead light casting a warm glow on the worn carpet beneath my feet. The air held a subtle hint of lavender, remnants of the scented candles I had burned earlier. As I fumbled with the strap of my ballet bag, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor.Glancing upwards, I caught sight of the apartment door opposite mine creaking open. His presence seemed to fill the narrow hallway, his tall frame dominating the space. The weariness in his eyes was s
ROSALINA'S POV I reached down for my toes in a long, satisfying stretch, The echo of the ballet studio fills with the gentle rustle of my breaths and the faint scent of worn wooden floors Stacy's voice broke through my reverie, a burst of vibrant energy that seemed to bounce off the walls. "We are gonna pick you up at seven, sounds good?" Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the 'party' Stacy had been gushing for a week. I had nearly given up on the idea, but I figured my days were turning repetitive, so a break from ballet's rigidity wouldn't hurt. Plus, I missed wearing flashy dresses, tall heels, and bold makeup. "Yep, I'll text you the address," I said with a friendly smile that I always seemed to have to fake with these two. Maybe it was just me, but these two felt too artificial, too... Fake. Nina's voice piped up, "Oh, and the color theme is red, so you should wear red to the party." I chuckled at that. "Alright, I'll humor you guys with a red dress." Suddenly, the studio's a
ROSALINA'S POVThe sound of my knuckles meeting the door felt like the echoes of uncertainty bouncing back at me, reminding me of the questions dancing in my mind."Come in."The metal handle felt cool against my skin as I opened it and as soon my eyes met Liora's steely blue eyes, something close to panic knotted in my stomach. Mr. Bennett on the other hand, gave me a look of uninterest as if I were merely a pesky interruption of his day. He focused his full attention on Liora, who sat on the chair beside him with her spine straight, face impassive but eyes eager for him. Mr. Bennett got up and cupped Liora's cheek. "I'll see you tonight."For the first time, Liora smiled and gave an obedient nod before getting up to leave. She cast me a glance as she reached the door as if she was... sorry for me. This little...After Liora left, I closed the door and faced Mr. Bennett head-on. "I'd like to speak to you.""About what?"I bit the inside of my cheek, curbing my resentment towards hi
ROSALINA'S POVThe hunt was on. I began to pull out one dress after another, each one holding memories of past parties and special occasions. There was the black cocktail dress I had worn to Selena's birthday last year, the floral sundress from that unforgettable summer trip in Italy with my family, and the elegant pink satin gown I had worn to my cousin's wedding.But tonight, it was all about the red dress. I sifted through the hangers, my fingers grazing the different fabrics – satin, silk, chiffon. Each one had its own unique appeal, but none felt quite right for tonight's party.God, I missed dolling up myself. It was as if I had lost a part of me ever since I joined the studio as if I had lost the fire I was known for. I was a bit grateful to Stacy and Nina for inviting me to the party, at least I got an excuse to wear my favorite heels again. I could feel the minutes ticking away, the pressure mounting as I continued my search. Finally, buried in the back of the closet, I spot
ROSALINA'S POV The cityscape gradually transformed as we neared our destination. The neon signs of clubs and bars painted the night with vibrant hues, and the pulse of the city's nightlife grew stronger with every passing block. Stacy's silver car pulled up to the curb in front of a sleek, dimly lit nightclub that seemed to have sprung out of the heart of the city itself. The thumping bass and muffled laughter spilled out onto the sidewalk, a siren call for revelers. The bouncer at the entrance checked our names off a list, and we stepped into the pulsating heart of the party. The nightclub's interior was a sensory explosion. Strobe lights cut through the darkness, illuminating the dance floor like a futuristic disco. The music was an intoxicating blend of electronic beats and soulful melodies, driving the crowd into a frenzy of movement. Stacy, Nina, and I navigated through the sea of bodies, our heels clicking in rhythm with the music. The air was thick with excitement, and the s
ROSALINA'S POVPink, red, and purple lights intertwined above us, casting a sensual spell as we continued our passionate dance. Each color seemed to symbolize a different facet of our connection: pink for desire, red for fiery intensity, and purple for the electric chemistry that bound us together."God, you are so beautiful that even the most vibrant red roses would pale in comparison." He sunk his hands into my hair, pulling my head back. Bringing his lips closer to my neck he whispered. "I've wanted to taste you since the moment I saw you under these intoxicating lights."His lips met the curve of my neck, and a soft gasp escaped my lips as he gently kissed and nipped his way up to my earlobe. I could feel the heat building between us, the desire in the air thickening with each heartbeat."And your scent," he continued, his voice husky with desire, "it's like the sweetest fragrance of roses in full bloom."He pulled away slightly, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that le
LEONARDO'S POV"You messed with the wrong girl, Armando," I growled, my voice deepening with anger and a promise of impending violence. My muscles tensed as I cracked my neck and knuckles, taking a step forward."This is our turf, Salvadori. Leave while you still can," Andrae's threat fell weak as he stepped back out of fear. Such a little bitch."Your turf huh?" I tilted my neck, "Funny how you think you can send your rats to MY turf and think you can get away with it." Honestly, I hadn't come here tonight to start a brawl. My sole purpose was to find Rosalina and get the hell out of this place without any trouble. But when I saw Andrae preying on her, all reason went out the window. I really did not like it when someone messed with what was mine. "Leo, let's just go," Rosalina's voice trembled as she clung to my arm, her eyes pleading with me to defuse the situation. But the damage had been done, and I couldn't let this slide.Plus, it's been a while since I used my fists to good