06

Aurora

I refused to acknowledge the tension in the room as I flipped through the documents Dante had slid across the desk. He was watching me, waiting—always waiting—to see how I would react, to find a crack in my resolve.

I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

The paperwork detailed another port transaction, but this one had red flags all over it. A shipment disguised under a fake corporation, a sudden shift in financial routing. Laundering. Smuggling. Something worse.

I closed the file, my fingers pressing into the cover.

"This is illegal."

Dante chuckled, low and dark. "That word again."

"Because it’s true," I snapped, looking up at him. "I signed on to handle legal matters, not to be your accomplice in whatever you’re moving through that port."

He tilted his head, amused. "And what exactly do you think you’ve been doing all this time, Aurora?"

Heat crawled up my spine, a mix of frustration and something else—something dangerous.

"You can refuse, of course," he continued, standing slowly. His movements were fluid, precise, like a predator circling prey. "Walk out. Call the authorities. Do whatever you think will cleanse your conscience."

His voice was deceptively soft, but I heard the steel beneath it.

"But you won’t," he murmured.

I stood too, forcing distance between us. "And why’s that?"

Dante smirked, stepping around the desk. "Because you know how this world works. Because you know I’ll make sure your sister suffers for your choices."

Fury flared in my chest, white-hot and uncontrollable.

"You don’t get to use her against me forever," I spat.

His expression darkened, amusement fading. "I don’t need to. Just long enough for you to realize that you belong to me now."

The words sent a chill down my spine.

He was too close, his scent wrapping around me like a trap. I wanted to step away, but I knew that would be a sign of weakness. So I stood my ground, my pulse pounding in my ears.

"You don’t own me," I whispered.

Dante’s lips twitched, but there was something dangerous in his gaze.

"We’ll see," he murmured.

And then he moved.

Faster than I expected, closing the space between us. One hand gripped my waist, the other tilted my chin up, forcing my eyes to meet his.

I sucked in a breath, my body betraying me as heat rushed through my veins.

"Let go of me," I hissed, shoving at his chest.

He didn’t budge. His grip wasn’t painful, but it was firm, unyielding. A silent reminder of the power he held.

"Tell me to stop," he said, his voice low, a challenge in his words.

I opened my mouth. The words were right there.

But they never came.

Because the moment I hesitated, the moment I faltered, his lips brushed against mine.

It wasn’t a kiss. Not really. Just the barest graze of contact, a taunt, a warning.

And it sent fire coursing through me.

I pushed him away hard enough that I stumbled back. My breath was ragged, my heart hammering.

Dante watched me, something dark and satisfied flickering in his eyes.

"You hate me," he said, as if he was confirming it for himself.

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, my glare sharp enough to cut glass.

"I despise you."

He smiled. "Good."

I stormed out of his office before I did something reckless. Something I couldn’t take back.

Something I wasn’t sure I even wanted to take back.

---

Later That Night

The house was quiet when I returned. Too quiet.

Sofia wasn’t in the living room where she usually waited for me.

Panic licked at my skin. I dropped my bag, rushing toward her room.

"Sofia?"

Nothing.

I shoved open the door.

Empty.

The bed was untouched. Her phone wasn’t on the nightstand.

A cold weight settled in my chest.

No. No, no, no.

I grabbed my own phone, my fingers shaking as I dialed.

She picked up after the second ring.

"Aurora," her voice was low, cautious.

"Where the hell are you?" I demanded.

Silence.

"Sofia—"

"I’m fine," she said quickly. "I just… I went out."

I clenched my jaw. "With who?"

More silence.

That was my answer.

I closed my eyes, inhaling sharply. She was with someone she shouldn’t be.

"Sofia, listen to me," I said, forcing my voice to stay calm. "Wherever you are, come home. Now."

A pause.

Then, softly, "I can’t."

My blood ran cold.

"Where are you?"

The line went dead.

I stared at my phone, my heart pounding against my ribs.

Sofia was in trouble.

And there was only one person in this city who had the power

to help me.

I hated him. I swore I’d never ask him for anything.

But I had no choice.

I grabbed my keys and headed straight for Dante Moretti.