Mafia’s kiss

Trapped

The mansion felt alive.

Alessia swore the shadows moved when she wasn’t looking, stretching along the dark marble floors like fingers reaching for her ankles. The flicker of candlelight along the walls only deepened the darkness, casting long shadows that danced with every breath of wind.

Dante had left her alone in the massive house, and the silence pressed in on her like a weight. Her footsteps echoed softly as she wandered through the long corridors, fingers trailing along cold stone. Every now and then, she caught the faint hum of voices behind closed doors, but when she stopped to listen, the house fell silent once more.

She felt like a prisoner.

Finally, she found herself in a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the dark city below. The rain streaked down the glass, blurring the lights beyond. She pressed her forehead against the cold surface, wrapping her arms around herself.

“I see you’ve made yourself at home.”

Alessia spun around, heart leaping into her throat. Dante leaned against the doorway, watching her with that same dark intensity that made her pulse race. His black shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms. He looked as dangerous as the shadows that clung to the walls.

“I was just… looking around,” she said softly.

He stepped into the room, his movements smooth and deliberate. “You don’t need to be afraid.”

She scoffed. “I’m not afraid of you.”

Dante smiled, slow and predatory. “You should be.”

He moved closer, the air shifting around him. Alessia stood her ground, even as every instinct told her to run. He stopped mere inches away, so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body. His scent wrapped around her — smoke, leather, and something dark and intoxicating.

“You’re trembling,” he murmured, his fingers grazing her wrist. Her breath hitched at the contact. “If you’re not afraid… then why is your heart racing?”

She swallowed hard, glaring up at him. “Because you kidnapped me.”

“I saved you.” His voice was quiet, dangerous. “You think you understand what’s happening, cara mia, but you don’t.”

“Then explain it to me.”

Dante’s jaw tightened. For a long moment, he said nothing, his dark eyes searching hers. Then, with a quiet sigh, he stepped back, running a hand through his hair.

“Your father made a deal with my family,” he said softly. “He stole something from us… something that can never be replaced.”

Alessia frowned. “What did he take?”

Dante hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. “My brother’s life.”

Her breath caught. “What?”

He turned away, staring out the window. “My brother, Matteo, was killed five years ago. Your father pulled the trigger.”

Alessia shook her head. “No… that can’t be true. My father wasn’t a killer.”

Dante’s eyes met hers, dark and unreadable. “Everyone is a killer when pushed far enough.”

She took a shaky step back, her mind racing. “So that’s what this is about? Revenge?”

Dante’s jaw clenched. “No. If it were about revenge, you’d be dead already.” He moved toward her again, and this time, she didn’t back away. “This is about justice. Your life… your loyalty… they’re the price.”

Alessia’s heart pounded. “And if I refuse?”

Dante smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Then I’ll take what I want.”

Before she could react, his hand slid around the back of her neck, pulling her close. His lips brushed against hers, soft and fleeting, but it was enough to steal her breath. When he pulled away, she was trembling.

“That,” he whispered, “was a warning.”

And then he was gone, leaving her alone in the dark once more.