The Queen's Gambit

Castellano Estate – 3:00 AM

Belle sat in Dante's office, staring at the glass of whiskey in front of her.

The ice had melted.

She hadn't taken a sip.

Her hands were steady, but inside, her mind was burning.

Dante sat across from her, legs crossed, cigarette smoldering between his fingers. Composed. Amused. Unbothered.

Like tonight's near-death experience had been nothing more than an inconvenience.

"You're quiet, sweetheart."

Belle met his gaze. Cold. Calculating.

"What do you want me to say?"

Dante smirked. "That depends. Are you angry that I sent you into a trap? Or that you fell for it?"

Belle's jaw clenched.

"You used me."

Dante exhaled a thin stream of smoke. "Of course I did."

The bluntness of his words made her stomach twist.

"You had to learn the hard way, Elena. Giovanni doesn't just kill people—he plays with them. You were never going to walk out of there without blood on your hands."

Belle's fingers curled around the glass.

"And what about you?" she asked quietly. "Are you any different?"

Dante's smirk faded.

For a long moment, he just watched her.

Then, he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

"No."

Belle's pulse skipped.

"But I don't pretend to be something I'm not."

She did.

She had spent years pretending.

A maid by day. A mafia princess by night.

Caught between two worlds.

But now?

That wasn't enough anymore.

Belle pushed the glass aside and stood.

"I want my own power."

Dante raised an eyebrow. "Do you?"

Belle's voice was steady.

"You want me as your queen? Then I don't want to be a pawn anymore."

Silence.

Then—Dante smiled.

"Finally," he murmured. "Now you're thinking like one of us."

---

The Next Morning – Giovanni's Message

Belle woke up to the scent of cigarette smoke and fresh blood.

She sat up in bed, heart hammering.

Dante was gone.

But on the nightstand, something was waiting for her.

A small black box.

Belle's fingers trembled as she opened it.

Inside—a severed finger.

Her stomach twisted.

There was a note.

Your move, princess.

- G

Belle swallowed hard.

Luca was still alive.

But Giovanni was sending a message.

She wasn't safe. Not from him.

And if she wasn't careful, Dante wouldn't be the only king she had to betray.