A Trap of Shadows

Castellano Estate – The Morning After

Belle sat at the edge of the massive bed, staring at the bruises on her wrist. Dante's grip had left a mark.

She ran her fingers over the fading red imprint. It wasn't pain that unsettled her—it was the reminder.

Dante had let her win last night.

But only because he wanted to see what she would do next.

A knock at the door.

She exhaled. Showtime.

"Come in."

The door swung open, and Dante stepped inside, dressed in a crisp black suit, his presence overwhelming the space.

"Sleep well, sweetheart?"

Belle forced a small smile. "Like a dream."

Dante smirked, stepping closer. "You played well last night."

Belle kept her posture relaxed. If he sensed weakness, he'd use it against her.

"I didn't play," she murmured. "I only told the truth."

Dante chuckled, but his eyes were sharp. Testing her.

"Truth?" He leaned in, brushing his fingers along her jaw. "You think the truth matters in this world?"

Belle's breath hitched.

Dante's hand slid lower, his thumb resting at the pulse on her neck. Measuring. Calculating.

"Loyalty matters, Elena." His voice was low. Dangerous.

"And I need to know if I can trust yours."

Belle forced herself to breathe evenly.

"Haven't I already proven myself?"

Dante smiled, but it wasn't soft. It was a warning.

"Not yet."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, pressing it into her palm.

"You have a new job, sweetheart."

Belle's stomach twisted as she unfolded the note.

A name. A location. A time.

She swallowed. "You want me to kill him?"

Dante's smirk didn't waver.

"No. I want you to decide whether he lives or dies."

Belle stared at the name.

She knew this man.

He wasn't just another rival soldier.

He was Giovanni's right-hand man.

And just like that, Belle knew—this wasn't just a test.

This was a trap.

One Dante had set just for her.

---

Giovanni's Hideout – Midnight

The warehouse smelled of metal and gasoline. The kind of place where men disappeared.

Belle walked in slowly, her heels clicking against the concrete floor.

At the center of the room, tied to a chair, was the man from the note. Luca Moretti.

His face was bloodied, but his dark eyes were sharp, watching her.

"Belle," he rasped. "So it's true. You really are working for Castellano now."

She didn't answer. Because she wasn't sure if that was true.

Luca's lips curled into a bloody smirk. "You gonna kill me now?"

Belle lifted the gun Dante had given her.

Her finger hovered over the trigger.

One shot. That's all it would take.

But her instincts screamed at her.

Dante was watching her. Somewhere.

And Giovanni?

He already knew.

Because Luca wasn't afraid.

That's when Belle realized—this wasn't just Dante's trap.

Giovanni had set one too.

She was caught between two kings.

And no matter what she chose—someone would bleed tonight.