The Devil's Touch

**CHAPTER 4**

*Dante's POV*

Parties were a necessary evil, a performance I had perfected over the years. In this business, showing your face wasn’t just about making an appearance—it was about power. A silent message to allies and enemies alike: I’m still here, still in control.

I adjusted the cufflinks on my tailored suit, my expression unreadable as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The suit was sharp, black as night, and cut to perfection. My father used to say that a man’s presence spoke louder than his words. I had taken that lesson to heart.

"Ready, boss?" Enzo, my most trusted lieutenant, appeared in the doorway, his tone casual but respectful.

"As I'll ever be," I muttered, stepping past him.

The drive to the estate was uneventful, the city lights blurring as we sped through the streets. My mind, however, was already at work. Tonight wasn’t just about rubbing shoulders with the elite; it was about ensuring my plans for expansion stayed on track. Alliances needed to be reinforced, rivals reminded of their place.

Arriving at the venue, I stepped out of the car, nodding at the valet as I adjusted my jacket. The estate was grand, its elegance masking the corruption and danger that lurked beneath the surface. The moment I walked through the doors, the air shifted. Conversations hushed, eyes turned, and whispers followed in my wake.

I ignored them, moving through the crowd with practiced ease. Names, faces, alliances—I cataloged them all, my mind already sorting through who would be useful and who might pose a threat. But then, something—or rather, someone—caught my attention.

She stood near the bar, her posture relaxed but her gaze sharp as she surveyed the room. Long auburn hair framed her delicate features, her emerald-green eyes scanning the crowd with a mix of curiosity and defiance. She wasn’t like the others here—there was no pretense, no false charm.

And she was beautiful.

My breath hitched for a moment, something I hadn’t allowed to happen in years. There was a quiet strength about her, a fire in her gaze that seemed to challenge anyone who dared to look her way.

“Elena Torres,” Enzo murmured at my side, noticing my distraction.

“Who?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure why I bothered. I knew her name now, and it was already etched into my mind.

“Lorenzo Torres’s daughter. Only child. Kept out of the business, from what I hear.”

I frowned slightly, my gaze lingering on her. Lorenzo Torres was a name I knew well—a man who had once been powerful but now clung to the fringes of relevance. I hadn’t expected to find his daughter here, of all places.

She glanced my way, and for a brief moment, our eyes met.

Her emerald gaze locked onto mine, and the room seemed to fade around us. She didn’t look away, didn’t shrink back like most people did when they realized who I was. Instead, she held my gaze, her chin lifting slightly, as if daring me to make the first move.

Intriguing.

“Keep an eye on her,” I said quietly, turning away before I allowed myself to stare any longer. “I want to know everything.”

Enzo nodded, but his expression held a flicker of surprise. He wasn’t used to me taking an interest in anyone outside of business, and truthfully, neither was I.

But there was something about her—something that stirred a part of me I thought had long since died.

And I wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or a curse.