Chapter 5: The Softening
That night, he insisted on seeing her safely to her door.
His eyes took in every detail of her small apartment.
The chipped paint.
The second-hand furniture.
The pile of Lily’s toys in the corner.
When his gaze landed on Lily, asleep on Mrs. Patel’s lap on the couch, something in his expression shifted.
Softened for just a moment.
“Your daughter?” he asked.
She nodded.
Fear spiking through her at the interest in his eyes.
“Please,” she whispered.
Though she wasn’t sure what she was begging for.
Protection?
Distance?
Mercy?
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
His touch was feather-light.
“Get some sleep, Elliana,” he said softly.
“I’ll see you soon.”
Three days later, Marco was found badly beaten in an alley behind a casino.
The police report said it was likely related to gambling debts.
She knew better.
That same day, she received papers in the mail.
Legal documents transferring full custody of Lily to her.
Marco’s signature notarized and completely legitimate.
She should have run then.
Instead, she wrote a thank-you note.
Leaving it with the matre d’ at Bellini’s.
The next night after her shift, the black Bentley waited outside.
The driver handed her a phone.
A new iPhone she couldn’t afford.
Dante was already on the line.
“Have dinner with me tomorrow.”
Not a request.
A statement.
And foolishly, feeling indebted, curious, and yes, undeniably drawn to him despite her fear, she agreed.
That dinner led to another and another.
Always in private rooms at exclusive restaurants or at properties he owned throughout the city.
Always surrounded by his security.
Always controlled environments where his word was law.
She told herself she was playing a dangerous game for Lily’s benefit.
With Dante’s attention came financial security.
Protection.
Opportunities for her daughter she could never provide on her own.
She told herself she could handle it.
That she understood the boundaries.
She was a fool.
And now, three weeks after that first dinner, she sat across from him in his office.
Her heart pounded so loudly she was certain he could hear it.
Her simple black dress, another gift, suddenly felt too tight.
Too revealing.
The diamond bracelet around her wrist, which she’d reluctantly accepted just yesterday, felt like a shackle.
“Tell me the truth.”
His voice cut through her thoughts.
Dragging her back to the present.
He leaned forward.
His dark eyes boring into hers.
On his desk sat a manila folder.
Her blood ran cold as he flipped it open to reveal photos.
Her.
Earlier that day.
Meeting with Detective James Riley in a coffee shop across town.
š [Tap here for Next Part] š
