The Fallout: A Change Has OccurredThere was silence on the drive back.Completely relaxed, Dante sat next to me, tapping his thigh with one hand while resting the other languidly on the steering wheel.As if nothing had occurred.As if I had not just demonstrated my ownership of him with blood on my hands.I pressed my fingers to my knee.I should have been ill. This steady, quiet hum in my chest should have been something else.But his voice in my ear was all I could think about."Well done, boy."I forced myself to swallow while attempting to ignore the heat that was still permeating my body and gazing out the window.I was becoming less of myself.What is the worst?I did not give a damn.The Penthouse: An Alternative Form of StressI thought he would return to work as soon as we entered.to check his phone, pour himself a drink, and pretend nothing had happened.He turned to me instead.And he simply looked for the first time.It is not as though he was planning my next move.He
The Club: An Error That Must Have Been AvoidedThe club was full.The deep bass vibrated through the floor as the music blasted. The dimly lit VIP lounge smelled of expensive whiskey and smoke curled from cigars.Although Dante sat next to me with a relaxed posture, it was impossible to ignore him.He was the one being watched, even in a packed room.The one they were afraid of.And I was seated directly beside him.His.Here, everyone was aware of it.However, it seems that someone missed the fucking message.A hand touched my lower back as I was standing close to the bar, sipping my drink.I instantly tensed up.Then a voice, confident, smooth, and completely fucking naive."You appear tense," the man whispered. "I will take care of that."I let out a sharp breath, suppressing the urge to break his wrist right away.I turned instead, squinting at the stranger.tall. Nicely attired. And incredibly foolish.I took a step back to give us some distance. "I am not interested."Clearly un
The Repercussions: Captured in His GravityIt was too quiet in the room.That sort of quiet that was like a warning.My heart was still racing from the events at the club when I stood in the centre of Dante's penthouse.based on how he had seized the man's throat.based on the way he had publicly kissed me.based on how I had allowed him.As if he had endless time, Dante leaned against the bar and rolled up his sleeves with deliberate slowness.As if my whole body did not still burn because of him.I tightened my jaw. "That overreaction was fucking ridiculous."Dante poured himself a drink and grinned. "Was it?"I sneered. "You almost killed him."Dante sipped his whisky and let out a slow exhale. "He touched my property."My breath caught.Because it was there.Just one damn word.mine.Dante put down his glass and fixed me with his dark eyes."You are not fond of it?" He whispered. "So why did you not stop me?"My throat became suddenly dry as I swallowed forcefully. "I—"Dante's he
The Following Morning: A Perilous RealityIt was warm when I woke up.He was hotter than the blankets.Dante.His body pressed against mine as if he had no intention of letting go, his arm slung over my waist, his breath steady against my shoulder.As if he would already decided I was welcome here.I was his property.My heart was beating too quickly as I swallowed forcefully and looked up at the ceiling.Because of the truth?I had no desire to relocate.did not want to back off.did not want to consider the implications of this.Because the instant I—I would have to acknowledge that.I was not prepared for that, either.Dante is not yet finished.I tried to put some distance between us by shifting a little.An error.Dante tightened his hold on my waist and made a low, groaning sound of protest before opening his eyes.Fuck.I never saw him like this before.Dark hair a little untidy, eyes a little softer than normal, a sleep-rough voice.Not the untouchable king of the mafia.Just
The Setting – A Room Full of PowerThe poker table was lined with the city’s most dangerous men.Crime bosses, cartel heads, men who held power, influence, and blood on their hands.And Dante sat at the head of it all.Calm. Unshaken. Completely in control.I leaned back in my chair, nursing my drink, keeping my posture relaxed even though I could feel the weight of every fucking stare.Because tonight?I wasn’t just another man at the table.I was Dante Valenci’s right-hand.And everyone in this room knew it.But apparently, someone wanted to test just how true that was.The Disrespect – Someone Dares to Challenge HimIt was subtle at first.A comment here, a smirk there.But then, Martinez made a mistake.He was a smuggler, connected to the cartel, a man who thought he was bigger than he was.And tonight?He thought he was bold enough to challenge Dante’s claim.“So tell me,” Martinez mused, swirling his drink, his sharp eyes flickering to me. “How does it feel to be in Valenci’s po
The Repercussions: A Risky IdeaI should have left as soon as we returned to the penthouse.I should have told him to go to hell, slammed the door behind me, and made it obvious that I was not his property.However, I didn't.Because I knew in my heart.He already had me.Worse?He was also aware of it.Luca's Final Battle EffortWith my mind a complete mess and my heart still racing from the events at the poker table, I paced the living room.I had been kissed by Dante.in the public eye.had ensured that everyone in the city knew I was his.With a sharp exhale, I combed through my hair. "You were not entitled."Standing by the bar, pouring himself a drink, Dante laughed. "Did I not?"I glared as I turned. "You believe you can simply assert me in that manner? As if I were some kind of fucking property?Dante sipped his whisky without a care in the world. "That is precisely who you are."I gasped. Fuck.Because what is the worst?That is what I wanted to happen.I tightened my jaw. "I
A Sign Too Large to Ignore: The Weight of a RingThis was not how it was intended to feel.It was only a ring.It was just a piece of expensive, subtle metal that was chained around my finger.The cool weight of it taunted me as I absently turned it over.Because this was not a gift at all.It was a brand.A reminder that I was claimed by Dante.that I was his forever, not just his property.What is the worst?I had not removed it.I did not leave the bedroom. Not while I was taking a shower. Not while I was sitting at the bar feigning that nothing had changed from the previous evening.I tightened my jaw.Fuck.There is no room for denial under Dante's control.Before I could see him, I could hear his footsteps.Slow. steady. total control.Then his voice, knowing and smooth."You still have it on."I let out a sharp exhale without raising my gaze. "Do not take it too seriously."With a low, contented laugh, Dante laughed."That is too late."Against my will, my pulse spiked as I fin
The Words' Weight: What Have I Done?I ought not to have said it.I should not have let him hear me say, "I am yours," and I should not have let it slip.Because right now?There was no turning back now.My pulse was too quick, and my knuckles were white as I held onto the counter's edge.Behind me, Dante was still standing, close but not in contact.As if he was in anticipation.As if he knew I was going to snap.Staring at the ring on my finger, the evidence of what I had just given up, I swallowed hard.I had lost my freedom.I was not mine.What is the worst?I had no desire to be.Fuck.Dante Allows Me Some Space, But Not EnoughDante moved, but not in my direction.Just enough so that I could sense his steady, unflinching presence.He whispered, "You are thinking too much."With a rough voice, I scoffed. "Yes? What else am I supposed to do, anyway?Dante let out a calm, slow breath as if he had been ready for this."Do you think this makes a difference?" he enquired.I stiffened
Luca’s POVThe city pulsed with unease. After our confrontation with Enzo, a name lingered in the air like a specter: the Sovereign. Whispers of a new power rising in the underworld had reached us, but details were scarce.I sat in Dante’s study, sifting through intelligence reports. Patterns emerged—territories changing hands without bloodshed, alliances shifting silently. It was as if an invisible hand orchestrated the chaos, guiding events from the shadows.DanteLuca’s observations mirrored my own. The Sovereign was not just a myth; they were real and methodical. Their influence seeped into every corner of our world, challenging the very foundation of our power.I summoned our most trusted informants, demanding answers. One name surfaced repeatedly: Umbraion. A figure cloaked in mystery, known for manipulating events without ever stepping into the light.LucaThe name Umbraion sent chills down my spine. Legends spoke of a man who could bend wills and reshape empires with a whisper
Luca’s POVThe morning sun cast long shadows across the marble floors of Dante’s penthouse. I stood by the window, watching the city awaken, yet my mind was elsewhere. Matteo’s betrayal had left a scar, not just on our operations, but on our trust.Dante entered the room, his presence commanding as always. He handed me a cup of espresso, his eyes searching mine.“We need to confront Enzo,” he said, breaking the silence.I nodded, the weight of the decision settling in. Enzo had been an ally, a mentor even. But recent events cast doubt on his intentions.DanteEnzo’s estate was a fortress, both in structure and secrecy. As we approached, the guards recognized us, granting entry without question. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, the usual warmth replaced by a palpable unease.Enzo greeted us in his study, a room adorned with relics of his past victories. He offered a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.“Dante, Luca. To what do I owe this visit?”I got straight to the point. “Matteo be
Luca’s POVI wasn’t sure when I stopped sleeping with both eyes closed.Maybe it was the night I slit Salvatore’s throat, or maybe it was when Dante called me his empire. But I knew what that really meant.Empires burn.I woke to silence.Not peaceful.Tense.Even before I sat up, I knew something was wrong. I could feel it—like pressure in the air before a storm. I grabbed my gun from the nightstand, not because I thought someone had breached the penthouse, but because paranoia is survival in this world.When I stepped into the living room, Matteo was there.Alone.Too quiet.I didn’t speak. Neither did he.He stood, staring out at the city skyline, one hand holding a lit cigarette, the other tucked into his jacket like he was hiding something.Maybe regret.Or maybe a weapon.I waited.He finally said, “You think you understand this world now.”My jaw tightened.“I understand it better than you think.”He exhaled smoke, still not looking at me. “Then you know not everyone is happy w
The MessageThe body arrived at sunrise.Luca was still asleep when Matteo called.Dante answered on the first ring.“You need to see this.”The weight in Matteo’s voice sent ice through Dante’s veins.Thirty minutes later, they were at the docks.A shipping container had been left open, the salty morning air carrying the scent of blood.Inside, a single chair sat in the middle of the steel room.And tied to it—The man who had tried to kill Luca.Except now, he was dead.His throat had been slit, his hands nailed to the armrests.Blood soaked the floor beneath him, dark and glistening in the dim light.Matteo handed Dante a note.No signature. No insignia. Just a single sentence.“You’re not untouchable, Romano.”Dante clenched his jaw, fingers tightening around the paper.Whoever had sent this wasn’t just making a move.They were declaring war.Luca Wakes to ChaosLuca knew something was wrong the second he opened his eyes.Dante was standing by the window, his phone to his ear, voi
A False Sense of PeaceFor the first time in days, the tension had eased.Dante had called an emergency meeting with the capos, leaving me at the penthouse with orders to stay put.I didn’t argue.I needed space.Time to breathe.To figure out if I was really as trapped as Dante made me feel.But the thing about power?It never lets you rest.The HitThe first sign something was wrong was the silence.Dante’s penthouse was never truly quiet. His men were always around, stationed near the entrances, patrolling the halls.But tonight, there was nothing.The hair on the back of my neck stood up.I set my drink down, my mind already cataloging escape routes, weapons, weaknesses.Then—The lights went out.I moved instantly.The gun Dante had given me was in my hand before I even had time to think.A second later, the glass balcony doors shattered.I ducked behind the couch, heart hammering, gun raised.A shadow moved through the darkness. Silent. Trained.Not a random thug.A professional
The world doesn’t stop after you take a life.That’s the first thing I learned.I had expected something to shift. Something to break.But the city kept moving. The sky didn’t darken. The ground didn’t split open beneath my feet.I had walked out of that warehouse with blood on my hands, and the world had kept going.And that was the part that scared me the most.The Weight of SilenceThe penthouse was quiet.Dante had left early, something about a meeting with the capos. He hadn’t said much before he left—just a lingering touch, a look that told me he knew I wasn’t okay.But he hadn’t asked.Dante never asked.And I never told him.I sat at the bar, staring at the untouched glass of whiskey in front of me.I had killed before. But this wasn’t like before.This time, I had done it for power.For a place at Dante’s side.For us.But was there even an us anymore?Or was I just a part of his empire now—another piece on the board?A Ghost in the MirrorI got up, walking into the bathroom.
The car ride was silent.Dante sat beside me in the backseat, one hand resting against the leather seat, the other holding a cigarette between his fingers. The faint glow of the ember cast shadows across his face.Outside, the city blurred past us—neon lights, dark streets, empty sidewalks.Everything felt too quiet.Too still.The scent of blood still clung to my skin, even after I’d wiped my hands clean. My shirt had specks of it, and the memory of Salvatore’s last breath still echoed in my mind.I had killed before. But this was different.This was power.This was becoming something I couldn’t walk away from.Dante exhaled smoke, his gaze fixed out the window. He hadn’t spoken since we left the warehouse.I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to.Not yet.Not when my pulse was still pounding from the weight of everything that had just happened.The Penthouse: Only UsThe moment we stepped inside Dante’s penthouse, the world outside disappeared.The city was loud. The business was brutal. B
The Moment of DecisionSalvatore sat frozen in his chair.The weight of what was happening finally settling in.Dante stood beside me, silent. Waiting.This was my call.I could feel every set of eyes on me. Our men. His men. The people who had doubted me, underestimated me, assumed I was just Dante’s pretty little second-in-command.This was my chance to show them exactly who I was.Exactly what I was capable of.I exhaled slowly.Then, I turned to one of our men standing by the door.“Knife.”A blade was handed to me within seconds.Salvatore tensed.I turned the knife over in my palm, feeling the weight of it. Considering.Then, I looked at him.“You made a mistake,” I said calmly.He swallowed. “Luca—”I slammed the blade into his hand.The sound of metal slicing through flesh and bone filled the room.Salvatore’s scream echoed.I twisted the knife slowly.“I’m not interested in your excuses.”The WarningBlood pooled on the table.Salvatore gasped, face pale.I leaned in, my voic
The CaptiveThe man was tied to the chair.Wrists bound, head slumped forward, breathing ragged.He wasn’t dead.Not yet.But he’d wish he was before we were done.Dante stood in front of him, rolling up the sleeves of his black dress shirt.There was no rush.Pain was always more effective when it took its time.“Wake him up,” Dante said.I stepped forward.My knuckles connected with his jaw. Hard.His head snapped to the side, a groan escaping his lips.Slowly, his eyes fluttered open. Bleary. Bloodshot.And when he finally focused?He saw me.His expression flickered—surprise, then something darker.He wasn’t afraid of me.Not yet.But he would be.Who Sent the Hit?Dante crouched in front of him, elbows resting on his knees.“Let’s not waste time.”His voice was calm. Too calm.“Who ordered the hit?”The man exhaled sharply. A laugh—low, broken.“You think I’ll tell you?” His voice was hoarse.Dante smiled. Slow. Dangerous.“You will.”He stood, adjusting his cuffs, before looking