Page 39 of His Son's Ex

Luca’s smirk falters. “Wow. Thanks, Dad.”

Dante’s expression remains stoic. “Just stating a fact.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning. That was more satisfying than it probably should’ve been.

Luca exhales sharply, but he doesn’t push back, his gaze sliding back to me. His eyes flick down briefly but just enough for me to catch it.

“You clean up well.” He gestures vaguely at my tailored blazer and high-waisted slacks. “Not the usual look for you.”

Dante’s reply is curt with an undercurrent of warning. “Are you commenting on my new cybersecurity lead’s body, Luca?”

Dead silence.

Luca’s face blanches. “I–what? No, I just…”

Dante takes a step closer to his son. Suddenly, Luca doesn’t look so cocky anymore. “You sure? Because it sounds a lot like you are.”

It feels as if the entire office is holding its breath.

Luca stammers, completely thrown off. “It was just a joke.”

“Then it wasn’t a very good one.” Dante’s tone is low, icy.

I have never seen Luca look more uncomfortable. I glance at Dante, tilting my chin up just enough to convey pure, unshakable confidence.

“You know what?”

Dante turns to me, his eyes still burning with restrained fury.

I smile. Slow and sweet. “I think I’ll take the job after all.”

CHAPTER 9

EVA

Two days later…

My first official day at BK&C is surreal. There’s a hush in the corridors, polite yet watchful gazes from the employees as I pass by.

I’m in the belly of the beast. Except this beast is an Italian mafia–aligned, multi-billion-dollar corporation. My boss is a man so dangerous, so powerful, he could probably end me with a phone call.

He’s also so disarmingly tempting that I can’t stop thinking about the way he touched me, the way he made me burn.

Clutching my sleek leather portfolio bag, I force my heartbeat to slow. I’ve earned this position. I might be stepping onto the main stage of organized crime’s legitimate front, but nobody here knows who I really am. I’m not Luca’s ex. I’m not Dante’s… whatever.

They only see me as Eva Smith, brilliant cybersecurity expert. That’s it.

And that’s exactly how I need to keep it.

The corporate assistant—a tall, elegant woman named Janine—leads me through a maze of glass-walled offices. She murmurs introductions as we go, pointing out various department heads and acknowledging them with polite nods. A hush of curiosity follows us. I feel eyes on my back, but whenever I hazard a glance over my shoulder, everyone’s focused on their screens again.

They’re well-trained.

Finally, Janine stops outside a corner office, my name on a sleek plaque to the right of the door. “Ms. Smith, this is your space. Mr. Bellacino asked that you be placed near the executive suite in case he needs to consult with you.”

My stomach does a little flip. “Thank you. That is convenient.”

Janine politely smiles. “Please let me know if you need anything. Your new staff ID is on your desk, along with all relevant access passes.” She turns and leaves me alone in my new domain.

---