Chapter 7: Shadows and Secrets 

*Layla*

Later, as we lay tangled together in the sheets, Dante's fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin, I couldn't help but marvel at the turn my life had taken. Just a few days ago, I had been a normal girl.

Now, I was the mistress of one of the most powerful men in the city, a man who had promised to give me everything I could ever want.

But even as I reveled in the luxury and pleasure of being Dante's, I couldn't shake the nagging sense of unease of knowing that Marco’s hold on my mother and my original mission to infiltrate Dante's world could blow up in my face at any moment.

My plan had been to get to my father’s old allies and I still wanted to do that, at least for my mother’s sake, to see her free of Marco. But with Anton monitoring me and now me agreeing to be Dante’s woman… That plan seemed all but impossible. 

Speaking of Marco, by now he would know that I had dinner and spent the night with Dante. He would want an update. Despite how things started, my feelings for Dante were real. I knew I couldn’t bring myself to ever truly betray his trust. 

However, until my mother was in the clear I would have to be careful, to find a way to feed Marco just enough to keep him satisfied without truly betraying Dante.

As if sensing my thoughts, Dante pulled me closer, his lips brushing against my temple. "What's on your mind, beautiful?" he murmured, his voice soft.

I hesitated, torn between my desire to confide in him and my need to protect myself. "Just thinking about how much my life has changed," I said finally, my voice carefully neutral. "It's a lot to take in."

Dante nodded, his fingers sliding through my hair. "I know it's a big adjustment," he noted gently. "But I meant what I said, Layla. I will take care of you, protect you, and give you everything you could ever want. You're mine now, and I take care of what's mine."

I smiled, nuzzling into his touch. "I know," I whispered, my heart swelling with a mix of love and sadness. "And I'm grateful for that, Dante. More than you know."

He tilted my chin up, his eyes searching mine. "You don't have to be afraid. I would never truly hurt you."

"Thank you." I felt tears sting my eyes, a lump forming in my throat. 

Dante brushed a kiss against my forehead, his arms tightening around me. "Now, as much as I'd love to stay in bed with you all day, I have some business to attend to. But I want you to stay here, to make yourself at home. My penthouse is your penthouse now."

I nodded, a thrill of excitement running through me at the thought of exploring Dante's luxurious home. "I will," I promised, my fingers tracing the hard planes of his chest.

Dante caught my hand, bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to my palm. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he murmured, his eyes dark with promise. "And when I return, I expect you to be waiting for me, ready and willing."

I shivered at his words, my body already aching for his touch. "Yes, Daddy," I whispered, the words falling from my lips with a sense of rightness.

Dante groaned, his hand tightening on my hip. "Careful, baby girl," he warned, his voice low and rough. "You keep calling me that, and I won't be able to leave this bed."

I giggled, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "Then go," I teased. "Before I change my mind and keep you here all day."

Dante laughed, stealing one last kiss before reluctantly pulling away. I watched as he dressed, admiring the way his muscles rippled under his skin as he moved.

When he was ready, he turned back to me, his expression soft. "I'll see you soon, baby girl," he murmured, his fingers brushing against my cheek.

I leaned into his touch. "I'll be waiting, Daddy.".

With one last lingering look, Dante turned and left, the sound of the door closing behind him echoing in the sudden silence of the penthouse.

I lay back against the pillows, my mind reeling. I knew that I had taken a huge step, that I had crossed a line and I had to work fast to save my mother from Marco and avoid Dante’s promised wrath when he learned the truth.   

With a sigh, I pushed myself out of bed, determined to explore my new temporary home and distract myself from the thoughts that swirled in my mind.

As I wandered through the penthouse, marveling at the luxurious furnishings and the breathtaking views of the city, I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear the sound of the door opening, or the footsteps that approached me. It wasn't until I heard a sharp intake of breath that I spun around, coming face to face with none other than Sophia DeLuca.

"Layla? What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

I felt my stomach drop, my mind racing as I tried to come up with an explanation. "Sophia, I... I can explain," I stammered, my voice shaking.

Sophia scoffed, her arms crossing over her chest. "Oh, I'm sure you can," she sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let me guess, you just happened to run into my father at the charity event, batting your eyelashes and playing the damsel in distress until he fell for your little act."

I winced, her words hitting a little too close to home. "It's not like that," I insisted, my voice weak even to my own ears. "I didn't plan any of this, Sophia. It just...happened."

Sophia laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. "Right. Just like every other gold-digging whore who tries to sink her claws into my father. You think you're the first one to try this little scheme? To use me to get to him?"

I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, knowing that there was more truth to her words than I wanted to admit. "Sophia, please," I said, my voice cracking. "I know how this looks, but I swear, my feelings for your father are real. I care about him…deeply."

Sophia's eyes flashed with anger, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "After two days? You care about his money, you mean. His power. Well, let me tell you something, Layla. My father may be fooled by your little act, but I'm not. I see right through you."

She took a step closer, her face inches from mine. "I'm warning you now," she hissed, her voice low and threatening. "End things with my father, or I'll do it for you. I'll dig up every dirty little secret you've ever tried to hide, and I'll make sure he sees you for the lying, manipulative bitch you really are."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "Sophia, I don't want to hurt anyone. Least of all your father."

Sophia's lips curved into a cruel smile, her eyes glittering with malice. "Then end things. Or I'll make sure you regret it," she promised, her voice filled with venom. "I'll make your life a living hell, Layla. And when I'm done, you'll wish you'd never even heard the name DeLuca."

With that, she turned on her heel and stormed out, leaving me shaking and breathless in her wake.

I sank down onto the couch, my head spinning with the weight of Sophia's words. I knew that she was right, that I had inserted myself into her life with the sole purpose of getting close to her father. But what had started as a mission had turned into something much deeper, much more real.

I thought of Dante, of the way he made me feel cherished, protected, and alive. I couldn't bear the thought of him learning the truth from Sophia. 

But she was a force to be reckoned with, and she would stop at nothing to protect her father and her family. If she dug deep enough, if she found out about my connection to Marco and my true purpose for being in Dante's life, it would all be over.

I buried my face in my hands, tears stinging my eyes as I tried to find a way out of the mess I had created. I had to get to my father’s allies but, in the meantime, I knew that I also had to find a way to convince Sophia that my feelings for Dante were real, that I wasn't just using him for his money and power.

But even as I tried to come up with a plan, I couldn't shake the sinking feeling that it was already too late. That no matter what I did, the truth would eventually come out, and I would lose the only man that ever mattered to me.

With a heavy heart, I pushed myself off the couch and made my way back to the bedroom, determined to lose myself in Dante's scent and the memories of our time together. 

But as I lay in his bed, breathing in his scent and trying to calm my racing heart, I started to cry again and I couldn't shake the feeling that Sophia's warning was only the beginning, and that the worst was yet to come.

After what felt like hours, my tears finally subsided, leaving me feeling drained but determined. I couldn't just sit around and wait for Sophia to make good on her threats. I had to take action, to find a way out of this mess.

And suddenly, I remembered something, my father's former secretary. She was a woman named Maria, who had always been kind to me and who I knew had been privy to many of my father's secrets.

I hadn't seen Maria since my father's funeral, but I remembered that she had mentioned something about working for a bank. It was a long shot, but if anyone could help me get to those that my father trusted most before he died, it was her.