The tension in the car was palpable as Dante drove, his jaw tight, eyes fixed on the road. Eva didn't dare speak—words felt unnecessary when the air between them was so thick with unsaid things. Her hands rested stiffly in her lap, fingers curling around the seatbelt. Every inch of her skin seemed aware of him, and the distance between them only made the pull more magnetic.
She had to remind herself she wasn't supposed to care about any of this. She was just a bartender. But as the miles passed and the city lights blurred in the background, it felt harder to believe that.
Dante made a sharp turn down a narrow street, and the car slid into the underground parking garage. The smooth hum of the Maserati's engine echoed in the concrete space as he parked in a reserved spot, cutting the engine with a single motion.
He was silent for a moment, staring straight ahead at nothing, then exhaled sharply.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Eva," he finally said, his voice low, but there was a cold edge to it.
She opened her mouth to respond, but the words didn't come. Instead, she leaned back against the leather seat, feeling the weight of his words pressing against her chest.
"I didn't ask for any of this," she said quietly, more to herself than to him.
Dante turned his head slightly, eyes flicking toward her. The moment his gaze landed on her, the space between them felt even more charged.
"You think I want any of this?" His voice was like gravel, rough and hard, the layers of control barely holding. "You've been in my sights for a while now, Eva. I don't do things halfway. You can walk away, but it won't be easy. People like you don't get out of this world without a price."
Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm, to stay in control. She had no idea how deeply she was already tangled in his world, and the last thing she wanted was to show weakness. But the pull he had on her was undeniable.
"I'm not asking for your protection," she said, meeting his gaze with an intensity that surprised even her. "I didn't ask for any of this. I'm just here to work, Dante."
His lips twisted in something like a smile, but it was more dangerous than comforting.
"No one just works for me, Eva," he said. "You're either with me or against me. And you've been in my sights for too long to just be 'here to work.'"
The silence that followed felt like a heavy weight, suffocating them both. Eva knew he was waiting for something from her, but what? Was he testing her loyalty? Trying to break her?
The door to the car opened suddenly, and Dante stepped out. He didn't look back to see if she followed; he knew she would.
Eva hesitated for a split second before opening her own door. The cool night air hit her as she stepped onto the concrete floor of the parking garage. It was eerily quiet, except for the soft echo of their footsteps. Dante led the way, his pace unhurried, yet purposeful.
They took the elevator up to the penthouse, the doors closing silently behind them. As the elevator ascended, the tension between them thickened, like something electric charging in the air. Eva could feel every muscle in her body reacting to his presence, but she refused to let herself get distracted.
The elevator chimed, signaling their arrival, and the doors slid open. Dante stepped out, leading her down a sleek hallway lined with dark wood panels and art pieces she couldn't focus on. The silence between them was now deafening, and it made her feel exposed.
He stopped in front of a set of double doors and turned to face her, his expression unreadable.
"Come in," he said, his voice low. "We're not done yet."
She followed him inside, heart pounding in her chest. The penthouse was just as extravagant as the rest of his life—modern, luxurious, with a view that overlooked the entire city. But none of it could distract her from the man who held the power here.
He moved to the bar, his movements smooth and calculated. Eva stood there, not knowing what to do or say. She watched him mix a drink without asking if she wanted one. It was almost as if he was trying to control the moment, like everything had to be done on his terms.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he turned and handed her a glass. His fingers brushed against hers, and for the first time, she felt the heat of his touch.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, but it was enough.
Dante studied her for a long moment, eyes narrowing slightly. "You've been asking that question for a while now. I'm not going to give you a simple answer, Eva. The truth is, I brought you here because you're important. Whether you like it or not, you're already too far in to turn back. And that's what you need to understand."
Eva's stomach twisted, but she didn't look away. "What do you want from me?"
He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming, suffocating. "Loyalty. Trust. And I'll give you everything you need. You can stay in the shadows, keep your distance, but the truth is, I see you, Eva. I see what you really are."
Her heart skipped again, but she fought to keep her composure. "And what am I, exactly?"
Dante's smile was predatory. "You're mine, whether you accept it or not. And I don't share."
Her breath caught in her throat, but before she could respond, he reached out and cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing across her lips.
"I'll give you one choice," he murmured, his voice dark and enticing. "Stay with me. Stay in my world. Or… leave. But you'll never truly leave. I'll always find you."
Eva's heart hammered in her chest, her mind racing. Dante was a monster, a force of nature she had no hope of controlling. But she couldn't deny the magnetic pull between them.
She swallowed hard, knowing her next decision would change everything.
"I'll stay," she said, her voice low and steady.
Dante's eyes darkened with satisfaction, and he leaned in, brushing his lips across her forehead.
"I knew you would."