A Point of No Return

Dante tilts his head slightly, studying Liliana's reaction. "You really think Adrian was just some jealous ex with control issues?"

Liliana's throat tightens, but she forces herself to hold his gaze. "You're saying he was using me? For what?"

Dante's lips curl at the corner, but there's no humor in it. "To keep the cops off his back. To play the role of the good guy while he moved in the shadows." His voice drops lower, the words deliberate. "And to keep you from ever asking the wrong questions."

Liliana's heart pounds. It doesn't make sense—or maybe it does, but she doesn't want to believe it.

"Adrian's a lot of things, but a criminal?" She shakes her head. "No. He's an arrogant, possessive asshole, but I would've known if—"

Dante cuts her off with a sharp, knowing look. "Would you?"

His words hit harder than they should. Memories flash through Liliana's mind—Adrian's secrets, his late-night calls, the way he always dismissed her questions when things didn't add up. He kept her close, too close. Like a possession, but also like a shield.

A chill runs through her.

"What was he hiding?" Liliana asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dante watches her for a moment, as if deciding how much to reveal. Then, his voice drops even lower.

"Let's just say… Adrian has blood on his hands. And not just figuratively."

Her stomach knots. "No. If that were true, the police—"

"—Wouldn't touch him," Dante finishes. "Because people like Adrian don't get arrested, sweetheart. They get protected. They get their messes cleaned up." He leans in slightly, his voice like a quiet storm. "And if you had stayed, you would've been part of that mess sooner or later."

Liliana swallows hard, her mind racing. It sounds insane—but what if it's not?

She takes a step back, needing space to think. Needing air. "Why should I believe you? You could be lying. Twisting things to turn me against him."

Dante nods, as if he expected the pushback. "You don't have to believe me." He reaches into his coat pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. "But maybe you'll believe this."

He holds it out to her. Liliana hesitates—then snatches it from his hand, unfolding it quickly.

It's a photo.

At first, it's hard to understand what she's looking at. Then, her breath catches in her throat.

Adrian. Standing in a dimly lit alley. Blood on his hands. A body at his feet.

Her fingers tighten around the paper as her stomach drops. No. This can't be real.

She tears her eyes away from the image, looking up at Dante.

"What the hell is this?" she demands, her voice shaking.

He shrugs slightly, but his eyes are sharp, deadly serious.

"Proof."

Her heart pounds so loudly she can barely think. The picture in her hands feels like it's burning her.

And then her phone buzzes.

Adrian:"Come home. Now."

Did he know?

Dante smirks as he watches her face pale. "Looks like he's starting to realize you know too much."

The night feels colder now, the weight of the truth crashing down on her.

She's in deeper than she ever imagined. And now… Adrian knows she's slipping away. Her breath is shallow, heart hammering against her ribs. Adrian knows.

If she goes back, he'll have questions—questions she can't answer. Questions he won't like.

Liliana crumples the photo in her fist, shoving it into her pocket as she lifts her gaze to Dante. His dark eyes are unreadable, but there's something there… satisfaction. Like he already knew what she'd choose before she did.

"I'm not going back," she says, voice firm.

Dante tilts his head slightly, the streetlight casting sharp shadows across his jaw.

"Smart choice."

He turns and starts walking. He doesn't ask if she'll follow. He doesn't have to.

Liliana weaves through the city, trailing behind Dante as he moves with effortless confidence. Not rushed. Not cautious. Like he owns the night.

The streets grow quieter, the neon glow of downtown fading as they enter a more secluded part of the city. A mix of warehouses and luxury high-rises—places that hide secrets in plain sight.

Finally, Dante stops in front of a sleek black car parked beneath a broken streetlamp. He pulls open the passenger door and looks at her.

"Get in."

She hesitates. "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere safe."

That should comfort her. It doesn't.

"I don't even know you," she reminds him.

Dante exhales a quiet chuckle. "You will soon enough, sweetheart. But right now, you need to decide—stay here and wait for Adrian to come find you… or get in the car and find out what he didn't want you to know."

Her phone buzzes in her hand.

Adrian:"Don't make me come looking for you."

A sharp shiver runs down her spine. There's no more time.

Liliana looks at Dante. His patience is endless, but his offer isn't.

And she knows, deep in her gut—this is a point of no return. She inhales sharply, her fingers tightening around her phone. Adrian's message is a warning, a promise.

But she's done being controlled. Done being played.

Without another word, she slides into the passenger seat.

Dante's lips twitch in something that's almost a smirk—but there's something else there too. Satisfaction. Amusement. Like he knew she'd make this choice.

He closes the door behind her and moves around the car. A second later, he's in the driver's seat, the door clicking shut with a quiet finality.

"Good girl."

His voice is low, smooth—too smooth. Liliana shoots him a glare, but he only chuckles, shifting the car into gear and pulling out onto the empty street.

She glances out the window as the city blurs past, her heart pounding against her ribs.

"Where are we going?" she asks, breaking the silence.

Dante keeps his eyes on the road, one hand lazily gripping the wheel. "Somewhere Adrian can't reach you."

That should make her feel safe. It doesn't.

"And after that?"

Now, he glances at her. Dark eyes, unreadable. A quiet storm.

"That depends on how much truth you can handle."

A shiver runs down her spine—not just from the words, but from the way he says them. Like he already knows she won't turn back.

Her phone buzzes again.

Adrian:"Last chance. Pick up the phone, or I come find you."

Dante's gaze flickers to the screen, and his smirk deepens.

"He's desperate," he murmurs, amusement lacing his tone. "That's cute."

Liliana bites her lip, fingers hovering over the screen. Ignore it, and she's declaring war. Answer it, and she's walking back into the fire.

Dante watches her closely, testing her resolve. Like he wants to see just how far she'll go.