The Devil’s Gambit

There were rules to every war.

But Luca was starting to realize—this wasn't a war.

It was a game.

And Dante Salvatore had been playing for far longer than anyone knew.

—

Luca studied the man across from him. Dante was older, sharper. There was no arrogance in his smile, only quiet certainty. The kind of certainty that came from knowing you had already won before the first move was even made.

Luca wasn't used to feeling like he was behind.

He didn't like it.

"You knew Moretti would betray me." Luca kept his voice calm, unreadable. "You left me a name on his body."

Dante smirked. "You always did appreciate a good breadcrumb trail."

Luca clenched his jaw. "Why?"

Dante leaned back in his chair, swirling the wine in his glass. "Because I needed you to see the truth."

Silence stretched between them.

Then Dante set his glass down. "Tell me, Luca—how well do you really know your family?"

Luca's grip on his glass tightened.

He didn't like where this was going.

—

Meanwhile, Henry and Sofia were parked outside, watching every exit.

Sofia exhaled sharply. "I don't like this."

Henry didn't take his eyes off the building. "Neither do I."

Sofia tapped her fingers against the dashboard. "You think Luca can handle this?"

Henry gave her a sharp look. "Luca's not the one I'm worried about."

And that was the truth.

Dante Salvatore wasn't the kind of man you walked away from untouched.

He was the kind of man who left a mark.

—

Inside, Luca kept his expression blank.

"Get to the point," he said.

Dante chuckled. "Ah, but that's the thing. You already know the point. You just don't want to admit it."

He leaned forward, lowering his voice.

"Your father wasn't betrayed."

Luca's pulse slowed.

Dante's smirk deepened.

"Your father was the betrayal."

—

Luca didn't move. Didn't blink.

The words settled like ice in his veins.

Dante sat back, watching him.

"You think DeLuca was the rightful king?" He shook his head. "No, Luca. Your father made deals. He sold secrets. He cut throats in the dark while smiling in the light."

Luca stayed silent.

Because deep down, he had always suspected.

But suspicion and truth were two very different things.

Dante tilted his head. "The only reason you're still standing is because I let you."

Luca's fists curled under the table.

Dante smiled. "Now the question is—what will you do with the truth?"

—

Luca stood.

Dante raised a brow.

"No threats?" Dante mused. "No dramatic exits?"

Luca met his gaze, ice-cold.

"Not yet."

Then he turned and walked away.

Because tonight wasn't about revenge.

Tonight was about understanding the game.

And for the first time, Luca realized—

He wasn't just a player.

He was the prize.

—

Next Chapter: The King's Move – Luca confronts his past, but the deeper he digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes.