Beneath His Armor

CAPTER SEVEN _ LINES I SHOULDN’T CROSS

I barely slept that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Dante’s voice again.

Don’t lie to me.

I stared at the ceiling until morning, my heart heavy and restless. My phone lay beside me, silent. No new messages. No missed calls.

Nothing.

By the time I got to the office, my head was already aching. The building felt the same as yesterday tense, quiet, waiting for something bad to happen.

Dante still wasn’t there.

People tried to act normal, but it wasn’t working. Everyone noticed. Everyone felt it.

I sat at my desk and opened my laptop, pretending to work. My fingers moved, but my mind didn’t follow. I kept thinking about the phone call. About the way his voice sounded careful, like he was choosing each word.

Like he was in danger.

I checked my phone again.

Still nothing.

Around mid-morning, someone stopped by my desk.

Keller.

Dante’s head of security.

My stomach tightened.

“Miss Lawson,” he said, his voice calm but serious. “Can we talk?”

“Yes,” I replied quickly, standing up.

He led me to a small meeting room and closed the door behind us. The air inside felt thick.

“You spoke to Mr. Moretti last night,” he said.

It wasn’t a question.

My heart skipped. “He.. he called briefly.”

Keller studied my face closely. “Did he say where he was?”

“No,” I answered honestly. “He just said he was safe.”

Keller nodded slowly. “Did he mention anyone? Any names?”

“No.”

Silence fell between us.

“Aria,” Keller said, lowering his voice, “if anyone reaches out to you asking questions about Dante or his business, you must report it immediately.”

My chest tightened. “Has someone been asking?”

“Not yet,” he replied. “But they will.”

That scared me more than I wanted to admit.

“Am I in danger?” I asked quietly.

Keller hesitated. “As long as you stay honest and careful, you should be fine.”

Honest.

The word burned.

After he left, I sat back down slowly. My hands were shaking. I pressed them together under the desk.

Everyone wanted honesty.

But no one knew the truth.

By afternoon, my phone buzzed again.

Agency.

I didn’t open it immediately. I already knew what it would say.

When I finally did, my heart dropped.

Agency: We are aware Moretti has gone off-grid. This is your chance. Get access to his private files.

I felt sick.

They knew.

They were watching.

I locked my phone and leaned back in my chair, breathing slowly. I couldn’t do this. Not now. Not after everything.

Dante trusted me at least a little.

And I was about to destroy that.

Later that evening, the office was almost empty again. I stayed longer than I should have. I didn’t want to go home and be alone with my thoughts.

As I stood up to leave, my computer screen flickered.

Then froze.

I frowned and leaned closer.

That was strange.

I tried clicking, but nothing worked.

Then a message appeared on the screen.

Access granted.

My heart stopped.

I stared at the words, confused and terrified.

Access to what?

Before I could think, folders started opening by themselves. Financial records. Private accounts. Documents with names I didn’t recognize.

This wasn’t an accident.

Someone had opened the door for me.

My chest felt tight. I stood up quickly, looking around the empty office. No one was there.

I should close it.

I knew that.

But I didn’t.

I sat back down slowly, my fingers hovering over the mouse.

Just a look, I told myself. Just enough to understand.

Minutes passed.

Then longer.

I saw numbers. Transfers. Payments that didn’t make sense.

But not crimes.

Not what the agency claimed.

My heart pounded harder.

Dante wasn’t the monster they painted him to be.

Suddenly, the screen went black.

I gasped.

Then another message appeared.

Step away from the computer.

I froze.

My phone rang at the same time.

Unknown number.

My hands trembled as I answered.

“Hello?”

“You shouldn’t be there,” a woman’s voice said.

Cold. Calm.

I swallowed. “Who is this?”

“Elena Vasquez.”

My breath caught.

“You crossed a line,” she continued. “A dangerous one.”

“I didn’t mean to,” I whispered.

“That doesn’t matter,” she replied. “What matters is what you saw.”

“I didn’t see anything,” I lied.

She laughed softly. “Don’t insult me.”

My heart raced. “What do you want?”

“To remind you,” she said slowly, “that Dante has enemies. And they will use anyone close to him.”

“Is he safe?” I asked.

Another pause.

“For now,” she said. Then the call ended.

I stood there, shaking.

That night, Dante didn’t call.

And neither did the agency.

The silence felt louder than words.

I lay in bed staring at my phone, knowing I was standing at a point where every choice mattered.

If I helped the agency, I would hurt him.

If I protected Dante, I would betray everything I came here for.

And the worst part?

I didn’t know which side would destroy me first.