CHAPTER THREE

The night swallowed Alina whole as she hurried away from the docks, her pulse pounding in her ears. Dante's touch still lingered on her skin, a ghostly imprint she couldn't shake. She hated him for it—hated herself more for wanting him to do it again.

Her father's world was already a prison. Dante Corvin was just another chain waiting to wrap around her throat.

By the time she slipped back into the estate, the house was silent. But the moment she stepped into her room, her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

Her breath caught as she read the message:

You shouldn't wander alone at night, Alina. Not everyone has my restraint.

—D.C.

She stared at the screen, torn between fury and something far more unsettling. He was watching her. But how closely?

Stay out of my life, she typed back, her fingers trembling. The reply came almost instantly.

I would if I could.

Alina turned off her phone and threw it onto the bed, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. She needed to stay away from him. She had to.

But as sleep finally claimed her, her dreams betrayed her—filled with smoke, whispers, and Dante's dark eyes watching her every move.

The next morning, Alina sat at the long, cold dining table, picking at her breakfast. Viktor, seated at the head, was on a call, his voice low and sharp.

"Handle it," he snapped before hanging up. His eyes flicked to Alina. "Dante's getting bolder."

She kept her expression neutral. "What else is new?"

Viktor's mouth twisted into something between a sneer and a smile. "He wants something."

Alina felt her stomach knot. Me. She knew it, even if her father didn't.

Before she could respond, Anton entered the room. "Sir, there's someone here to see you."

Viktor frowned. "Who?"

Anton hesitated. "Dante Corvin."

Alina's fork clattered against her plate.

Viktor stood, his face darkening. "Send him in."

Alina barely had time to compose herself before Dante walked in like he owned the place. Black suit. Unreadable expression. That smirk lingering just beneath the surface.

"Viktor," Dante greeted smoothly, ignoring Alina's presence entirely. "We need to talk."

"Then talk," Viktor growled.

"Alone," Dante added, his eyes flickering to Alina for a split second.

Viktor hesitated, then nodded. "Go, Alina."

She opened her mouth to protest but thought better of it. As she left, Dante's voice followed her like a shadow. "We'll catch up soon."

Alina's hands clenched into fists. She needed to know what he wanted. And she needed to stop him before he took everything—including her.

Later that evening, Alina's curiosity got the best of her. She snuck into her father's office, searching for answers. His laptop blinked with an unread email. She clicked it open.

From: Dante Corvin

Subject: Our Deal

Viktor,

I'll erase your debt. Completely. In exchange, I want one thing.

Your daughter.

Alina's heart stopped.

No.

A noise behind her made her spin around. Dante stood in the doorway, his eyes calm but intense.

"Surprised?" he asked softly.

She shook her head, biting back tears of anger. "You think I'm something to be bought and sold?"

"No," Dante replied, stepping closer. "I think you're something worth fighting for."

Alina's breath caught. "Why me?"

Dante's gaze softened, just for a moment. "Because you're the only thing in this world that isn't already broken."

She hated how much his words affected her. But as he stood inches away, whispering promises wrapped in danger, she knew one thing for certain.

If she wasn't careful, Dante Corvin would be the death of her.

And she might just let him.