The Devil’s Bargain

The moment Antonia stepped into Valentino’s grand estate, she knew she had made a mistake.

The house was crawling with guards—men in black suits, their postures rigid, their eyes cold and assessing. Their presence alone sent a clear message: You are in his world now, and he is in control.

A tall man in an impeccably tailored black suit stepped forward, his movements sharp and efficient. His gaze flickered over her as if weighing her worth before he jerked his head toward the entrance. “Follow me.”

Antonia’s heart pounded, but she kept her expression neutral, lifting her chin as she stepped inside.

The interior was just as she had imagined—dark, lavish, and filled with quiet menace. The hallway was dimly lit, the soft glow of golden sconces casting eerie shadows along the walls. The scent of expensive leather and the faint hint of cigar smoke lingered in the air.