Suspicion and Secrets

Castellano Estate – Midnight

Belle sat in front of Dante's desk, her expression blank as she sipped from a glass of whiskey.

He was watching her.

Studying. Calculating.

"The job is done?" he finally asked.

Belle met his gaze.

"Yes."

Dante leaned back in his chair, smirking. But the smirk didn't reach his eyes.

"Then why do you look like someone who just made a deal with the devil?"

Belle's grip on the glass tightened.

Dante wasn't stupid.

He knew her too well.

He'd be looking for any sign of hesitation, any hint that she had betrayed him.

Which she had.

She had spared Serena.

And worse—she had made her an ally.

Belle forced a smirk.

"Maybe I just didn't expect it to be so easy."

Dante exhaled, watching her over the rim of his own glass.

"Death is always easy, sweetheart. It's living with it that's hard."

His words sent a shiver down her spine.

Did he know?

Did he suspect?

Belle kept her expression neutral.

"Luca won't take this well." she said, changing the subject.

Dante chuckled. "That's the point."

Belle's stomach twisted.

She had just lied to one of the most dangerous men in the city.

And if Dante found out?

He wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

---

A Dangerous Alliance

Somewhere across town, Serena was staring at the burner phone in her hands.

Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through Belle's message.

Meet me at the docks. Midnight tomorrow.

Serena swallowed hard.

Could she really trust Belle?

Belle had spared her life—but at what cost?

Her mind screamed at her to run.

To go straight to Giovanni and tell him everything.

But a deeper instinct told her this was her chance.

Her brother had protected her for years.

Now, it was her turn.

Serena took a deep breath and typed one word back.

Okay.

---

The First Crack

Back at the Castellano estate, Dante poured himself another drink.

His smirk was gone.

His eyes were cold, thoughtful.

Belle thought she had fooled him.

But he wasn't sure yet.

Something felt wrong.

He reached for his phone and dialed a number.

A low, rough voice answered.

"Boss?"

Dante's fingers drummed against the desk.

"Follow Belle. Find out if she really finished the job."

A pause. Then—

"Understood."

Dante hung up.

Belle had always been a good liar.

But Dante had learned a long time ago—

Even the best liars slip up eventually.