Chapter 50- Dangerous Game
Lucia The phone number taunted me from my laptop screen, e each digit a pi
a piece in a puzde I hadn’t wanted to solve. But years of Valentini training made investigation automatic trace the source, follow the patterns, understand the threat before it understands you
Three hours of careful research had revealed an uncomfortable truth the messages traced back to shell companies owned by the Galantes, a family whose hatred for the Romans ran generations deep. My own family had maintained careful neutrality in their blood feuds, but everyone knew the stones disappeared witnesses burned warehouses, bodies found in the harbor wearing concrete shoes
And now they wanted to meet Alone
I checked my reflection in the bedroom murmur, adjusting the small pistol strapped to my thigh. The black dress I’d chosen was elegant enough for Giovanni’s whale allowing easy access to my weapon. Old habits died hard, even when walking into obvious traps
“Mr. Romano? Taylor’s voice carried chirough the door. “Mr. Romang asked me to confirm your schedule for this evening.
“Tell my husband I have foundation business.” The lie tasted bitter, but not as harrer as memories of those contracts. “Ill handle my own Transportation tonight.”
I felt Taylor’s hestation. In eight months, I’d never refused Romano security. But he was too professional to question it directly
Gavvanna’s hadn’t changed in three years same checkened tablecloths, same faded photos of Tralian countryude, same warmth that felt nothing like the careful luxury I now lived in. The hostess’s smile faltered slightly as I entered her eyes darting to the back room before she could catch herself
“Ah, the beautiful Mrs. Romano, Marco Calante rose from aromaer table, all İralian charm and calculated grace. Has reputation rivaled Dance’s old playboy days, but where Dante’s power feir like controlled fire, Marco’s smile beld unmething colder “Or do you prefer Valentinit Thear there’s vorne – flexibility in that arrangement.”
“Let’s skip the games.” I sat without waiting for his gesture, noting how his guards tensed slightly. Good Let them be nervous. “Why am I here?”
“Direct Flike that.” He signaled for wine, bis signet ring catching candlelight. The Galante crest a serpent wrapped around a crown. “But surely we can enjoy some hospitality first? This was my basnonna restaurant, you know. The recipes haven’t changed in four generations.”
“How clarming. “I kept my tone perfectly pleasant while cataloging exits and angles. They hadnt searched me – euther arrogance or strategy. “But I didn’t come for a culinary history lesson”
“No?” His smile showed too many teeth. “What did you come for then, cara Trish about your husband’s proclivities Evidence of has careful arrangements with other women?
Heat flared in my thru anger or jealousy or something darker. Youre not telling me anything I don’t already know”
“Ah, bur do you know why those contracts suddenly appeared in his office?” Marco leaned forward slightly, voice dropping lower. “Who made sure you’d find them? Who wants the great Dante Romanoa perfect political marriage to crack?”
Understanding hut like ice water. “Someone inside the family.”
“Smart girl.” He sat back, satisfaction curving his lips. “Someone who thinks perhaps the to ensure Dante never reaches the mayor’s office”
Romano e empire needs. new leadership. Someone
willing
“And you’re what – their messenger?” I kept my hands visible on the table while my mind raced through implications. “The Galantes playing errand boy for Koruno family politics?”
His smde vanished “Careful, Mrs. Romano. Some might take offense at that characterization.”
“Some might take offense at being manipulated.” I met his dark eyes steadily. “So why don’t we skip to the real reason I’m here?”
Wine arrived – probably excellent vintage, possibly poisoned. I didn’t touch my glass.
“Simple enough.” Marco traced the rim of his glass with one manicured finger. “We have mutual interests. You want freedom from carefd arrangements. I want certain changes in Romino family leadership. Together, we could make both happen.”
“And what exactly are you offering?”
“Everything “Herward again, and this time his smile held genuine heat, Territory your family has wanted for generations. Influence that makes the Romano empire look small. A marriage based on passion instead of polrics.” His hand slid across the table toward mine. “A man who would never reduce you to contract terms.”
I forced myself not to recoil from his touch. “Quite a sales pitch.”
“I can give you so much more than him, Lucia.” My name on his lips felt wrong. “Protection for your family. Power beyond careful arrangements, Real partnership instead of political convenience,”
“And all I have to do is..
“Help us remove Dance from play.” His fingers brushed my wrist, cold where Dante’s touch burned. “Nothing permanent -just enough scandal, enough proof of corruption to ensure he never reaches office. To weaken his hold on family power.”
“You want me to betray my husband”
“I want to free you from a man who treats love like business.” Marco’s voice dropped lower, intimate in the candlelight. “Who collects women like assets and discards them when convenient. Don’t you deserve more than that, cara! Don’t you deserve someone who would burn down cities for you instead of building walls around you?“.
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Chapter 50- Dangerous
Game
The worst part was, he wasn’t entirely wrong. Dance did treat relationships like business. Did build careful walls around his heart. Did reduce passion
But he also protected his sisters with fierce devotion. Taught me to embrace my own power instead of fearing it. Made me feel alive in ways no careful arrangement could contain
Think about it.” Marco at back, that calculating smile returning.” “You have twenty–four hours to decide. Choose wisely. Mrs. Romano, Soine offers only ner.”
I stood, smoothing my dress with steady hands. “Interesting proposal”
“And your answer!”
“Il need time to… consider the terms.” I let my lips curve slightly, enjoying how his eyes followed the movement. “After all, I’ve learned quite a lot about contracts lately.”
His Laugh held genuine appreciation. “Dante doesn’t deserve you,”
“No,” I agreed softly. “But that’s not really the point, is it?”
I felt his eyes on me as Heft, that predatory gaze that should have made my skin crawl.
Chapter 31- No Choice
