ed on her, dark and possessive, as if daring her to question him further. But what could she say?

out the window as the city light

t carried an edge of finali

ken behind them that made her stomach twist. She had walked into this willingly, yes, but not with the expectation of

tered, still avoiding his gaz

an wants, Sophia. Power, control, loyalty. And you-you were desperate

itening as her anger flared beneath the surface. "I d

w and menacing. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong, tesoro. When you step into the world I rule, you surrender your freedom. You'll do as I say,

'd entered his world of her own volition. But she hadn't known what that meant. Now, she felt like a caged an

herself not to shrink away from the cold intensity of h

predatory. "Then I'll

admit. Dante was terrifying, yes, but the power he wielded, the command he had over everyone aro

p in front of a grand, imposing mansion, its stone walls casting shadows in the moonlight. Large

was it. This was the place where she would b

ck to offer her his hand. Sophia hesitated for a brief moment before placing her trem

Dante said, his voice lace

d before her, and for a brief moment, she thought of running. But there was nowhere to

foyer. The air inside was cool, the polished marble floors gleaming beneath the soft glow of chandel

d in a tailored black suit. She moved with a quiet efficiency, her eyes briefly meeti

smiss the woman. But instead, his hand left her back, and he turned to the wom

fore gesturing for Sophia t

stions she didn't know how to voice. His expression remained unreadable

something she couldn't quite place. "Get some re

staircase. Each step felt heavier than the last, her legs trembling beneath her. The

s massive, draped in fine linens, with plush pillows piled high. The room was decorated with elegant furn

istant. "If you need anything, just press the

the room. The door closed softly behind her,

he room and the turmoil raging inside her. Everything had happened so quickly. Less than an hour ago, she had been on the

rashed down on her. She collapsed onto the edge of the

? How had her life spiral

she couldn't afford to let her guard down. Dante DeLuca was dan

life was in h