Chapter 3: Intrusion and Revelation

Sophia's unease grew with each passing day. Dante's cold demeanor and secret warnings only increased her suspicions. She couldn't forget the memory of the hidden drawer she found in his study or the dangerous words she had overheard him saying over the phone. The man she had married was a mystery, and the more she tried to learn about him, the more she realized she was getting more involved in his life of secrets.

That evening, the yacht moved smoothly across the Mediterranean waters. The moon gave out a silver glow over the water waves, and the air carried the smell of salt and mystery. Dinner was served on the upper deck, a candlelit table set for two with its back view being the endless sea. Sophia arrived dressed in a flowing gown, determined to appear composed despite the war of questions in her mind.

Dante was already seated, his posture relaxed yet commanding. He looked up as she approached, his penetrating eyes giving nothing away. "Sophia," he greeted, giving signs for her to sit.

"Thank you," she replied, her voice steady despite the fear and uncertainty in her chest. The tension between them was noticeable, and she was determined to break through his walls.

The meal began in silence among both of them, the clinking of cutleries was the only sound. Finally, Sophia decided to confront him.

"Dante," she began, choosing her words carefully, "I've been trying to understand you better. But it feels like you're deliberately keeping me at arm's length."

Dante's gaze sharpened, and he set his fork down. "You agreed to this arrangement knowing what it involved," he said coolly. "This is a business transaction, Sophia, not a partnership."

His words got to her and made her think deeply, but Sophia refused to give up or stop. "I'm not asking to be your partner, I just want to understand what's going on. You can't expect me to live with you without knowing you at all forever. And just be waking and sleeping without knowing anything about you or my environment." she replied.

Dante's expression darkened. "Some truths are more dangerous knowing and it is better not to know some to have peace of mind. Stay out of my affairs, Sophia. For your own safety."

Before she could respond, a sudden commotion scattered the night's calmness. The sound of heavy boots sounded on the deck below, followed by whispers. Dante's body became tensed instantly, and he rose from his seat with a deadly grace.

"Stay here," he said, his tone did not allow any room for argument.

Sophia's heart raced as she watched him disappear down the stairs. The sounds of the intruders increased very fast, and she couldn't ignore the fear already building in her chest. Against her better judgment, she followed him, keeping her steps light and her presence unnoticed, she tried so hard to avoid being noticed.

From where she was hiding near the staircase, Sophia watched in serious silence as Dante confronted the intruders. There were four of them, dressed in dark clothes and armed with knives. Their intentions were clear, but Dante showed no fear. Instead, he attacked them with a precision that took her breath away.

In a few minutes and at the speed of light, Dante disarmed the first man, twisting his wrist and sending the knife falling flat to the floor. He delivered a fast kick to the second intruder, sending him crawling on the floor. The third jumped at him, but Dante sidestepped effortlessly and struck with a well-placed punch to his face. The final man hesitated, clearly rethinking his choices, but Dante's cold look left no room for mercy. Within moments, all four intruders were already on the floor and exhausted thereby gasping for air.

Sophia's breath seized while her eyes were wide open. She had known Dante was powerful, but witnessing his combat skills was both scary and amazing. Who was this man she had married?

Dante turned to one of the intruders, who was groaning on the floor. "Who sent you?" he demanded, his voice firm and his eyes filled with fire she had not experienced before.

The man spat blood but said nothing. Dante's jaw tightened, and he pulled out a phone, dialing a number. "Clean this up," he said into the receiver before hanging up. He then turned and locked eyes with Sophia, who had stepped into view forgetting she was hiding previously.

"I told you to stay upstairs," he said, his tone sharp.

Sophia's fear gave way to anger. "What just happened? Who were those men? And how do you know how to fight like that?"

Dante's expression softened a bit, but his voice remained firm. "This is why I warned you not to get involved in my business. My world is dangerous, Sophia. The less you know, the safer you are."

"That's not good enough, You can't expect me to ignore this. I deserve answers," she shouted back immediately.

Dante's gaze hardened once more. "You deserve to stay alive. That's all that matters right now."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Sophia standing among the chaos. Her hands kept shaking, but her determination remained solidified. Whatever secrets Dante was hiding, she would uncover them. Her life depended on it.

The aftermath of the attack left Sophia restless. She kept walking about in her room, replaying the events in her mind. Dante's frustrating dismissal of her only increased her determination to learn the truth. Who were those men, and why had they targeted Dante? And more importantly, what role did her father play in this tangled web?

As she stared out at the dark sea, a single thought occupied her thought: she had to protect herself. If Dante didn't trust her, she would find the answers on her own.

The night remained still and quiet with the only sound coming from the water splashing on the hull of the yacht, and as Sophia lay in bed, sleep didn't come and she kept rolling on the bed. Her mind was filled with different questions which were more disturbing one after the other. She had married a man she didn't know much about, and now she was involved in a world of secrets and danger.

But she realized one thing was clear: Dante Varro was not a man to be underestimated. And neither was she