STUCK BETWEEN MAFIA KINGS

d as socialites, politicians, and elite moguls

crimson silk gown that she had designed herself. Her honey-brown curls framed her fac

t and built an empire from the ground up. In the world of fashion, the name Valentina

nd her like a noose the moment she stepped into

him before

her eyes landed

ing, dressed in a tailored black suit that molded to his body like armor. His dark e

's breath

smirk,cold, knowing, and

flinched. Not now. Not after clawing her way

er, his steps unh

th like aged whiskey, but laced with

ys had a way of finding me, Dante

You walked away, cara mia, but don't thi

ice. "I'm not your

spered, his gaze lingering on h

nails digging into her pal

ar. "Every move you make, every man who t

e crowd like a ghost. The music surged, the p

eeded

kin cleared her mind, but only slightly. Her heart still raced

the steps leading down from the grand venue. That's when sh

she began, s

fault," the man sai

eyes that seemed to read her like a book. He was handsome in a danger

l De

nized him

ust as cunning. If Dante was fire and fury, Rafael was

e," Valentina s

loser. "You don't usually attend events hosted by

she said. "And I

w and lazy. "I

t the insinuation. "

uestion but a quiet command. "Just f

hesi

this world was dangerous. Getti

and marble steps and onto a quieter path framed by gardens and low lights. The party m

ands into his coat pockets. "Dante

y laugh. "Tha

id, glancing at her. "He

ome to ratt

er. "You walked in there, glowing like vengeance in silk. He saw

d at him,

re you

s eyes held hers. "I've

caught. "

n't believe in chains. But I've followed your rise. Y

arms, defensi

to talk to y

bo

s voice dropped, velvet smooth. "I'm not Dante, Valentin

ut also danger behind his eyes. It was different from Dante's fire-

d in Mafia busines

and I both know, once you're in...

dn't a

orrow," he said. "You don't

e?" sh

ne in this city brave enough to burn the past...

from the way he looked at her, as if she w

et and pulled out a slim

ut it, bel

shing into the night with the same confidence

the card in her hand

t was r

t wasn't just Da

underworld had he

he queen no o