Page 28 of Dangerous Seduction

Dante tensed beside me, his hand tightening on my thigh beneath the table. “I work in fashion,” I said. “Styling. It’s a competitive industry, but I’ve been lucky to make good connections.”

A calculating smirk settled on Ricardo’s mouth, and I could tell he wasn’t entirely convinced. “Fashion, is it? And how did you come to meet my son?”

I laughed lightly, placing my hand over Dante’s on the table. “Oh, you know how these things go. A chance encounter at a club, a few drinks, and the rest is history.”

Dante shot me a grateful look, but I could see the worry in his eyes.

The dinner progressed, and soon, I was in a deep conversation with Sofia, who sat across from me with a warm smile. “I’ve always dreamed of traveling the world, seeing new places, experiencing different cultures,” she confided, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “There’s so much out there beyond South Florida.”

Seeing Sofia’s face light up with her passion for exploring the world tugged at my heartstrings. I knew the brutal reality: her family’s criminal empire would suffocate those wandering dreams before they could take flight. Safety issues, for one. A mob kingpin’s daughter would be a big target for rival gangs.

“Forget what anyone else thinks,” I urged, my fingers entwining with hers across the table, “This is your life. Seize your dreams while you’re still young.”

Sofia beamed at me, and it was easy to see the woman she could become if she were free from the shadows of her family’s criminal empire. The guilt gnawed at me, a constant reminder that my deepening bond with Sofia was built on a foundation of lies. But the affection, the need to shield her from the suffocating darkness of her family - that was real, undeniable.

Ricardo’s voice sliced through my thoughts. “The Reyes family doesn’t fuck around, Eva,” he said, his casual tone barely masking the venom beneath. “We have expectations for those who run with us.”

A cold dread crept down my back, but I met his stare unflinching, my voice never wavering. “Mr. Reyes, I understand. My intentions with Dante are heartfelt.”

Ricardo’s eyes turned to slits. “For your sake, I hope that’s true, darling.”

The menace hung in the air, suffocating. But I refused to let fear show in front of Ricardo Reyes.

I maneuvered through the rest of dinner with finesse, wielding my charm and sharp tongue to parry any more of Ricardo’s pointed inquisitions. Dante’s eyes locked on me, a potent cocktail of unease and desire swirling in their depths.

Despite the underlying tension, the evening began to take on a more relaxed atmosphere as the wine flowed and the conversation turned to lighter topics. Sofia and I engaged in a lively discussion about the latest fashion trends in Miami, and I was grateful for the momentary respite from Ricardo’s scrutiny.

A sense of relief washed over me as the plates were cleared and the dinner party wound down. I had survived the first night in the lion’s den and played my part perfectly.

Sofia caught my arm, her eyes sparkling. “Eva, I had the staff prepare a room for you,” she said. “Come. Let’s get you settled in.”

As I followed Sofia upstairs to the guest wing, I felt Dante’s gaze on my back, burning into me like a physical touch.

I could finally relax as I entered the luxurious guest room, the plush king-sized bed practically begging me to sink into its soft embrace. The en-suite bathroom was larger than my old apartment back in Miami.

I hoisted my suitcase onto the bed and stared at it sitting on the beautiful opulent bedspread. Sofia had been so genuinely welcoming, that I felt a pang of guilt for deceiving her. But I couldn’t afford to let my emotions get in the way of my mission.

I unpacked and got ready for bed, and as I slipped under the silky sheets, cool against my skin, my mind wandered to Dante. The intensity of his gaze during dinner kindled a smoldering desire that threatened to consume me from the inside out.

I knew it was wrong. Dante was the enemy. But as I lay there in the darkness, listening to the distant crash of the ocean waves, I secretly and shamefully hoped that he would knock on my door tonight.

FOURTEEN

DANTE

I adjusted my jacket as I watched Eva go upstairs with my sister. Christ, looking at Eva in that tight little “fuck me” dress had my cock throbbing like a jackhammer all night, driving me out of my goddamn mind.

As I entered the library, my old man was already there, sipping a glass of Cognac with a grin on his face when I walked in. He waved me over, that smug-ass look never leaving his mug.

“That’s one helluva piece of ass you landed there, kid,” he said, half impressed, half giving me shit. “Eva’s gorgeous, but watch yourself. Broads like that are a fuckload of trouble.”

His words pissed me off, even though a little voice in my head knew the old bastard had a point. There was definitely something dangerous about Eva, but no way in hell would I let my dad think I wasn’t on top of it.

“I can handle her,” I said, my voice firm and confident. “Even if she is quite special.”

He raised an eyebrow, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Special, hmm?” He fixed me with a pointed stare. “Just make sure she doesn’t become a distraction, Dante. We have our business to attend to, an empire to run.” His voice lowered, a warning in his tone. “Don’t let a pretty face make you lose sight of what’s important.”

I met his gaze unflinchingly, my jaw tight with resolve. “Of course, Papi. The family always comes first.” I nodded, my words measured and firm. “I won’t let anything or anyone jeopardize what you’ve built.”

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