Bound By Blood
262 Words
Alessia’s breath caught. “You… want me?”
Dante’s dark eyes pinned her in place. “Not in the way you think.” He leaned closer, his scent — smoke and something faintly sweet — curling around her. “Your father owed my family a debt. And now, that debt falls to you.”
She gripped the edge of the counter to steady herself. “I didn’t even know about this. How can I be responsible?”
“Blood binds debt,” he murmured, his gaze flicking to the silver chain around her neck — a gift from her father. “And blood pays it.”
Her heart pounded against her ribs. “What does that mean?”
Dante straightened, slipping his hands into the pockets of his coat. The movement was elegant and controlled. Everything about him screamed danger, yet she couldn’t look away.
“It means you belong to me now, cara mia.”
Alessia’s throat tightened. “No. I don’t belong to anyone.”
Dante’s lips curved into a smirk, but there was no warmth behind it. “You’re brave. I like that.” He stepped back, his gaze sweeping over her one last time before turning toward the door. “You have twenty-four hours to pack your things.”
“What?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“You’ll come with me. Or I’ll collect in other ways.”
The door swung shut behind him, the chime echoing in the empty café. Alessia collapsed against the counter, her hands trembling.
What had she just gotten herself into?
- Writer
