Emily
Victorio's villa is a temple of excess. Black marble columns rise toward the vaulted ceiling, overlooking a reception hall bathed in dim light. The rustle of conversations and the clinking of glasses form an oppressive background melody. The crowd is made up of elegant silhouettes — men in dark suits, women in evening gowns, their gazes sharpened by curiosity and suspicion.
Adrian walks beside me, his hand resting in the small of my back. His presence is armor, a shield that protects me from the venomous atmosphere that reigns here. He is handsome, dangerous, a shadow of raw power in his perfectly tailored black suit.
— Relax, he murmurs in my ear.
I tense slightly as we cross the room. Eyes settle on us like fangs ready to bite.
— Easy for you to say, I reply quietly.
He smiles, his warm breath against my cheek.
— Don't forget: tonight, we're playing a role.
I take a breath, lifting my chin.
— The docile and seductive woman, is that it?
— Exactly.
Adrian suddenly stops. My gaze follows his.
In the center of the room, Victorio stands, surrounded by several men. He is dressed in a pristine white suit, contrasting with the darkness of the room. His face is angular, his dark hair slicked back. But it is his eyes that disturb me: cold, calculating, gleaming with controlled malice.
— Adrian, Victorio murmurs with a smirk.
Adrian tightens his grip around my waist.
— Victorio.
Victorio slowly approaches, his gaze moving from him to me.
— You made the right choice in coming. I was wondering if you would have the courage to show up.
— I never back down from a fight, Adrian replies, his voice icy.
Victorio tilts his head slightly, his smile widening.
— Of course not. But this time, I think the fight is already lost.
He takes a step toward me. Adrian reaches out to hold me back, but I slip out of his embrace, approaching Victorio with feigned calm.
— Emily… Adrian whispers in a dark voice.
I ignore his warning. Victorio scrutinizes me from head to toe, a flash of satisfaction in his gaze.
— She is even more beautiful up close, he murmurs.
I lift my chin.
— Perhaps because you've never really looked at me, Victorio.
A cruel smile brushes his lips.
— A mind as sharp as her beauty. Adrian, are you sure you can keep her on a leash?
Adrian growls lowly.
— I don't need to keep her on a leash. She stays of her own free will.
— Really? Victorio asks, brushing a strand of my hair.
I hold back a shiver under his touch. He is playing with me, testing my limits.
— Be careful, I murmur.
— Why?
I look up at him.
— Adrian is very possessive.
Victorio bursts out laughing, a cold and hollow laugh.
— Oh, I know.
Behind me, Adrian moves closer, his hand resting on my hip. His grip is firm, almost threatening.
— If you lay another hand on her, I'll rip your arm off, he hisses.
Victorio tilts his head slightly.
— Fascinating. Are you willing to start a war over a woman?
Adrian moves closer, his face inches from Victorio's.
— I'm ready to burn this whole world for her.
Victorio smiles, but in his eyes, I perceive a cold spark.
— Now, this promises to be entertaining.
He slowly steps back, leaving us standing in the center of the room. The murmur of conversations intensifies. Adrian suddenly pulls me to him, his forehead against mine.
— What were you doing? he growls.
— I was playing my role.
He grits his teeth.
— He could have hurt you.
— He did nothing.
— Not yet.
I slide my hands over his chest, my gaze diving into his.
— Adrian, we can't beat Victorio with sheer force. We have to play him at his own game.
He nods slowly, his expression darkening.
— Very well. But next time, you let me handle it.
I smile slightly.
— Noted, boss.
Adrian kisses me abruptly, his lips capturing mine with burning urgency. I melt against him, aware that we are being watched. The heat of his body, the tension in his muscles, the taste of his possession — all of it makes my head spin.
When he finally pulls back, his gaze is darker than ever.
— He wants you, he murmurs.
— He won't have me, I retort.
— He will try.
— Then let's make sure he fails.
A fierce glint crosses Adrian's gaze.
— He will regret having dared to lay eyes on you.
A shadow advances into the room. A muscular silhouette, his face half-hidden under a dark hood. Adrian stiffens, his expression shutting down instantly.
— Who is that? I ask.
— Rafael.
Rafael Moretti. Victorio's right-hand man. His shadow in the darkness.
He stops a few steps from us, his dark gaze shifting from me to Adrian.
— Victorio would like to see you, he announces in a low voice.
— Oh, really? Adrian replies sharply.
— He has an offer to make you.
Adrian narrows his eyes.
— And if I refuse?
— Then he will take what he wants by force.
I feel Adrian's breath grow heavier. I place a hand on his arm.
— Let's accept, I murmur.
— Emily…
— Let him think he has won. For now.
Adrian lets out a frustrated sigh.
— Very well.
He turns to Rafael.
— Show us the way.
Rafael nods and turns toward the door at the back of the hall. Adrian takes my hand, his gaze dark and piercing.
— Stay close to me.
— Always.
As we follow Rafael down a dimly lit corridor, my heart racing, I feel the shadow of war extending around us.
And this time, we will strike first.