Episode 14: A Dinner with the Devil
971 Words
Dante’s Penthouse – 8:00 PM
Seraphina stood outside the towering glass building, her heart hammering in her chest.
She shouldn’t be here.
She should have ignored Dante’s invitation.
But his words haunted her.
“I know a secret that could destroy both you and your precious Kieran Blackwell.”
She wasn’t the type to be easily shaken. Yet, here she was.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside the building, her heels clicking against the marble floor as the elevator doors slid open.
A uniformed man nodded at her. “Penthouse level, Miss Sinclair.”
Of course.
Dante Valenciaga always sat at the top—where he could look down on everyone.
The elevator ride felt endless. With each passing second, the air grew heavier, thick with the weight of something inevitable.
And then—the doors opened.
Dante was waiting.
Dressed in a black silk shirt, his sleeves rolled up, he looked like a predator who had just set the perfect trap.
“Right on time.” His voice was smooth, like expensive whiskey. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t come.”
Seraphina stepped inside, refusing to let him see her unease. “Let’s cut the pleasantries, Dante. What do you want?”
His lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk.
“Patience, darling. Let’s eat first.”
⸻
The Dinner Table – Tension Served Cold
The dining room was dimly lit, the table set for two.
Red wine. Candles flickering. A meal that looked obscenely expensive.
Yet Seraphina had no appetite.
She folded her arms. “Enough games, Dante. What do you know?”
Dante leaned back in his chair, twirling his wine glass between his fingers. “I know a lot of things, sweetheart. But the one I want to discuss tonight?” His gaze darkened. “It’s about Kieran.”
Seraphina forced herself to stay calm. “What about him?”
Dante took a slow sip of his wine before setting the glass down.
“Kieran Blackwell killed someone.”
The air left her lungs.
Her body went still. “You’re lying.”
Dante’s smirk deepened. He was enjoying this.
“Oh, I never lie, Seraphina.” He leaned forward. “Six years ago. A man named Victor Reyes. Kieran made him disappear. Buried him so deep even the police never found him.”
Seraphina’s fingers curled around the table’s edge. “And why should I believe you?”
Dante shrugged. “Because I have proof.”
Her breath hitched. No. This couldn’t be true.
Kieran was ruthless, yes. Dangerous, absolutely. But a murderer?
Dante reached into his pocket and slid a small flash drive across the table. “See for yourself.”
She hesitated.
Dante watched her with amusement. “You can take it… or you can walk away and pretend you never heard this.”
Her fingers trembled as she picked it up.
Dante’s voice softened, but the menace never left. “Be careful, darling. The truth has a way of ruining people.”
Seraphina swallowed hard.
Her world was about to change.
⸻
Kieran’s Penthouse – The Storm Hits
She arrived at Kieran’s place with a racing pulse and the weight of Dante’s words hanging over her.
Kieran was waiting for her, his sharp gaze flickering with something unreadable.
“You’re late,” he said, stepping closer. His fingers brushed against her wrist, sending a shiver down her spine. “Where were you?”
Seraphina hesitated.
Then she made her choice.
“I was with Dante.”
Kieran’s body went still.
The air between them shifted—darkened.
His jaw clenched. “Say that again.”
She lifted her chin. “I had dinner with Dante.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. Something dangerous flashed in his eyes.
“Did he touch you?” His voice was quiet—too quiet.
Seraphina didn’t answer.
That was enough.
The next second, Kieran had her against the wall.
His grip was firm, but not cruel. His eyes burned into hers. “Did he touch you, Seraphina?”
She swallowed. “Why does it matter?”
Kieran let out a harsh laugh, his fingers trailing down her throat, to her pulse point.
“You have no idea what you’re playing with.”
Seraphina forced herself to meet his gaze. “Then tell me. Tell me what you did six years ago.”
His entire body stiffened.
His hands dropped.
And for the first time—Kieran Blackwell looked truly dangerous.
“You talked to Dante about me?” His voice was low, deadly.
Seraphina tightened her grip on the flash drive in her pocket. “He told me you killed someone.”
Kieran exhaled slowly. But he didn’t deny it.
Seraphina’s stomach twisted.
She expected anger. Rage. Anything but the cold calculation in his gaze.
Then—Kieran stepped back.
And laughed.
A deep, dark chuckle that sent chills down her spine.
“I see what this is,” he murmured. “You’re testing me.”
Seraphina’s lips parted. “That’s not—”
Kieran cut her off with a kiss.
Hard. Unforgiving. Punishing.
His fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her closer, as if daring her to fight back.
But Seraphina couldn’t.
Because damn him—she wanted this.
Even now. Even after everything.
Kieran tore his lips away, breathing hard. His grip tightened on her jaw, forcing her to look at him.
“I don’t share, Sinclair. Not my business. Not my secrets. And definitely not you.”
She should have been scared.
But all she felt was fire.
“You don’t own me, Blackwell.”
Kieran smirked. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers.
“Because after tonight, you’ll never belong to anyone else.”
And then—he pulled her into the storm.
- Writer
