After Mia and Dante's little interaction at the headquarter, Luciano offered to show her around the estate.
The De Luca estate wasn't a house. It was a fucking fortress.
Mia stood at the gates, staring at the towering mansion that towered over lands like it ruled the world because in a way, it did. Luciano drove around the estate showing Mia around as she looked out the window like a kid. While several armed men in black watched their every move like they were threat.
"Home sweet home," Luciano said with a grin as they pulled up the car the car in front of the house. He tossed the keys to one of the guards, leaned out the door, and whispered, "Smile, sorella. You're on camera. A hundred of them."
(Sister)
Mia stepped out slowly, taking in the difference in environment from her former home.
The front doors swung open before she could knock.
And there he was.
Her older brother, Leonardo. The heir to De Luca corp. He is wearing a tailored grey slacks and a white button up shirt, with the sleeves rolled up above his elbow. His tattoos were displayed on his arms. His expression was a look of boredom.
"You're late," he said.
"I was sightseeing," Mia replied dryly. "Wanted to see what freedom looks like before I kissed it goodbye."
Luciano laughed behind her.
Leonardo didn't.
Instead, he turned and started walking.
"Come. You need to meet the others."
The inside was even worse — beautiful, yes, but in the cold kind of way that screamed power and secrets. Marble floors, gothic chandeliers, gold-framed oil paintings. The kind of place that looked like no one ever laughed.
Leonardo led her past the main hall, deeper into the house.
"Who else lives here?" she asked, heels clicking behind him.
"You'll see."
He pushed open a heavy set of double doors, revealing the dining room — long black table with velvet chairs, and high arched windows letting in just enough light to make everything dramatic as fuck.
And at the head of the table… sat him.
Her father, Santino De Luca.
He looked like a man carved out of terror and ruthlessness. His hair slicked back. Dark eyes sharp and cold. He wore a black three-piece suit, rings on both hands, and a thin scar across his left eyebrow that only made him look more terrifying.
He was just sitter with no expression on his face.
Then he called out her name, "Mia."
Her breath caught.
"Hi…" she murmured, voice smaller than she wanted it to be.
"You look like your mother."
That took her by surprise.
"I didn't think I did. She's a liar and didn't tell me truth so don't compare me to her." She stated while rolling her eyes.
"She wasn't supposed to," he simply said, as if that explained the twenty-one years of lies.
"Why?"
"Because secrets protect people. Especially in this life."
Mia wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. But she did neither.
She just sat down across from him.
"You have questions."
"No shit sherlock."
Luciano snorted and took a seat next to her. Leonardo remained standing, arms folded.
Santino leaned back in his chair.
"You were hidden because enemies love to use daughters as leverage, as I had told you before. They mostly go after daughters who look innocent and weak."
"I'm not weak," she snapped.
"We'll see about that," He said as he looked down at his phone "Actions speaks louder than words."
The silence was suffocating.
Then the door opened again.
And Dante walked in wearing his signature clothing, black shirt and black pants with his same unreadable expression.
But when his eyes landed on Mia, it lingered.
As she felt it, a bolt of heat, sharp and uninvited went down her spine.
"This is Dante Moretti," Santino said. "He's my second-in-command. And he'll be watching over you."
"Oh, I've met Dante," Mia said without breaking eye contact. "He's great at making threats."
"Good," Santino said. "He's supposed to."
Dante didn't say a word. He just moved behind Santino, standing like a guard dog.
Mia's skin buzzed.
"Starting tomorrow," Santino continued, "you'll begin your orientation into the family business."
"I didn't sign up for this."
"You were born for this."
"And if I say no?"
His gaze darkened.
"You don't get to say no. Not in my territory."
Mia clenched her jaw. "Fuck this."
She stood.
Leonardo blocked her path instantly. "Sit down."
"No."
Luciano whispered, "Mia—just breathe."
She didn't want to breathe. She wanted to run. But she couldn't. Not here. Not with that many eyes watching her like the paparazzi.
"Fine," she hissed. "I'll stay. For now."
She turned and looked right at Dante.
"And you, don't think for a second that I'm scared of you." She said pointing at Dante.
He smirked — a slow, dangerous curl of the lips.
"You should be."
---
That night, Mia paced her room.
The gold-and-blood-red decor made her feel like a queen in a cage. The smell of old books and roses clung to everything.
And her mind wouldn't shut the fuck up.
She looked out the window and saw Dante smoking on the balcony below with his back turned and his muscles tense.
She hated him.
She hated how much she didn't hate him.
There was something in the way he watched her — like he knew her already. Like he was very familiar with her presence. His figure look a little bit alike to the man that stalk her back in California.
That scared her more than anything.
She opened the window.
"Stalking me now?" she called.
He looked up slowly. A cigar between his long thick fingers. "Those fingers that could make me feel so many things." She said in her mind.
"You talk too much."
"You're quiet much."
"You're in over your head, princess."
"And you like it."
"Did you stalk me in California?" She said without thinking twice.
Another silence.
Silence thick enough to know she won't receive an answer.
Then she shut the window before she did something stupid — like climb out and slap him or kiss him.
---