A Dance with the Devil

Better dinner conversation

Aurora descended the grand staircase, the scent of truffle risotto and seared sea bass wafting through the halls. The crystal chandelier in the dining room cast a warm glow over the mahogany table, already set with fine china and gleaming silverware. The maids, dressed in crisp uniforms, moved efficiently, placing steaming platters of food with silent precision.

As she entered, her steps faltered slightly. Seated at the table, chatting animatedly with Isabella, was Elena. Aurora blinked in surprise. "Elena? I thought you were heading straight home."

Elena turned with a bright grin. "Surprise! You mentioned I should come over sometime, so I figured, why not tonight? Plus, you know I’d never turn down a meal here."

Aurora shook her head with a smirk as she took her seat between her father, Lorenzo, and her brother, Ramon. "I swear, you have more energy than I do. I’m still recovering from today."

Lorenzo chuckled. "That makes two of us. Welcome, Elena. It’s always good to have you here."

Elena smiled warmly. "Thank you, Uncle Lorenzo. You know I’d never pass up a chance to dine with my favorite family."

"Did you two spend the entire day shopping?" Lorenzo asked, raising a brow as he took a measured bite of his meal.

Elena grinned. "Guilty as charged. But in our defense, it was a very productive shopping spree."

Ramon scoffed, setting his wine glass down with a smirk. "I assume ‘productive’ means you two terrorized sales associates into finding you the rarest items in stock?"

Aurora chuckled. "More like Elena did that. I just watched in awe."

Elena feigned offense, placing a manicured hand over her chest. "Excuse you! I am an esteemed client. They should thank me for the exposure."

The table erupted in laughter as the maids moved around, refilling glasses and ensuring everyone had their share of the meal. The atmosphere was relaxed, despite the undertones of power that always lingered within these walls.

Lorenzo turned his sharp gaze to Ramon. "How did the shipment go today?"

Ramon leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine. "Smooth as always. The cars arrived at the docks on time. Everything was accounted for."

Aurora exchanged a glance with her brother. She knew that ‘everything’ didn’t just mean cars. The car business was merely the face of something much darker. Drugs, ammunition—things she chose to keep her hands clean of but knew were the true foundation of the family’s wealth.

"Any issues?" Lorenzo asked, his voice calm but laced with authority.

"Nothing major," Ramon replied. "Just the usual customs checks, but our people handled it."

Isabella sighed, reaching for her glass of water. "One day, I’d like a family dinner where we don’t talk about business."

"That would require us to have another business to talk about," Ramon quipped, earning a pointed look from their mother.

Elena, always the peacemaker, leaned in. "Oh, but we did meet a fan today! Well, I did."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "Yes, a girl nearly fainted when she saw Elena. Asked for an autograph and everything."

Isabella smiled. "See? That’s much better dinner conversation."

"And get this," Aurora continued, smirking at Elena. "She bought everything using her new man’s card."

Ramon nearly choked on his drink. "Hold up—what new man?"

Elena lifted her chin. "Oh, just someone special."

Lorenzo narrowed his eyes. "And who exactly is this someone?"

Elena waved her fork dismissively. "You’ll meet him soon enough."

The table fell into an amused silence as the maids returned with dessert—individual plates of delicate tiramisu, elegantly dusted with cocoa powder.

Aurora leaned back in her chair, watching her family interact. It was moments like these that made her forget the shadows lurking behind their empire. For now, she allowed herself to enjoy the warmth of family, even if the foundation it stood on was far from innocent.