Caught in the Act

Back Alley – Midnight

The moment stretched, thick with tension.

Belle's fingers clenched around the gun, but she didn't move. Couldn't move.

Dante had seen her.

Holding the gun.

Standing over his man.

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—cold, sharp, calculating.

Carlo, too drunk to notice the danger, chuckled. "Belle? What are you doing here?"

Belle's mind raced.

She could lie.

Or she could face the truth.

Dante took a slow step closer.

"Put the gun down, Elena."

His voice was calm. Controlled. But that was when Dante was most dangerous.

Belle forced herself to breathe. Slowly, she lowered the gun.

But Dante wasn't done.

"Who sent you?"

Belle hesitated.

One wrong word—and she was dead.

Her mind spun, searching for an escape.

"It's not what it looks like," she said, her voice smooth despite the pounding in her chest.

Dante's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile.

"Really? Because it looks like you were about to put a bullet in one of my men."

Belle forced herself to hold his gaze.

"Giovanni set me up."

Dante's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes.

"Did he?"

Belle nodded. "He wanted to test me. To see if I was truly loyal to you."

Dante stepped closer—too close. His scent, his presence, overwhelming.

"And what was your answer?" he murmured.

Belle met his gaze.

"I couldn't do it."

For a moment, silence.

Then—Dante smirked.

"Good girl."

Belle exhaled, her knees nearly giving out.

Dante reached for the gun, slipping it from her hands.

"If Giovanni wants a war, he'll get one." His voice was quiet but deadly.

Then—he stepped back.

"Go home, Elena. Now."

Belle hesitated. "And Carlo?"

Dante didn't even glance at the drunken man.

"He won't remember a thing."

Belle swallowed hard, nodded, and walked away.

But as she disappeared into the night, she knew the truth.

Dante didn't fully trust her anymore.

And Giovanni?

He would know she failed.

She wasn't safe. Not from either of them.