A Deadly Secret

Virello Estate – The Gala

Belle's mind raced.

Luca Moretti had recognized her. If he said her real name out loud, everything would be over.

Dante would know.

And she couldn't let that happen.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she whispered, stepping back, trying to create distance.

Luca chuckled, low and knowing. Too knowing.

"You can fool them, Bella, but not me." His gaze flicked to the sapphire necklace at her throat. "Dante Castellano, huh? Clever girl. Does he know who he's parading around like a prize?"

Belle's stomach twisted. Luca was dangerous, not because he wanted to kill her—but because he knew too much.

She had seconds to decide what to do.

Then—she felt it.

A shift in the air.

The weight of someone approaching.

Dante.

Belle turned just as he arrived, his presence like a storm rolling in, dark and commanding. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—they were sharp, assessing.

He looked at her first. Then at Luca.

"Is there a problem?" Dante's voice was smooth, but there was something underneath—a warning.

Belle's heart pounded.

Luca still had a choice.

He could expose her. Say her real name, reveal who she truly was.

Or—

Luca smirked.

"No problem at all," he said smoothly. "Just an old man reminiscing about the past."

Belle's breath caught. He was protecting her.

But why?

Dante didn't look convinced. His gaze lingered on Luca, cold, assessing. He didn't trust him.

Finally, Dante's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.

"Good. Because I don't like problems."

Luca chuckled. "Of course not, Mr. Castellano."

But as Dante turned his attention elsewhere, Luca leaned in, just enough for Belle to hear.

"You need to leave, Bella. Before he finds out the truth."

Her pulse thundered.

Because Luca was right.

If Dante found out who she really was—

He wouldn't let her walk away alive.