The sleek, high-rise office was bathed in the soft light of dawn, the world below just waking up. Dante Bianchi stood at the window, his hands in his pockets, surveying his empire from his penthouse suite. The city sprawled beneath him—a testament to his power and control. He had fought tooth and nail for every inch of it. But at the top, the air was thin, and trust was an illusion.

He glanced at his reflection, noting the sharp jawline, the tousled dark hair, the cold blue eyes that reflected the world’s expectation of him. To his enemies, he was the devil in an Italian suit. To his allies, he was a savior cloaked in shadows. Dante had no use for emotions, no time for weaknesses—except one.

His eyes flicked to her, standing by his desk, impeccably dressed in a black silk blouse and pencil skirt. Alessia Volkov. His personal secretary, his most trusted confidante, and the only person who was never swayed by the chaos of his world.

Alessia was calm, methodical, and breathtakingly beautiful. Her dark hair was pinned up, exposing her graceful neck, and her skin glowed in the early morning light. Her every movement was precise, calculated, as though she were constantly analyzing her surroundings. Dante often wondered what went on behind those cold, dark eyes. She never gave anything away.

She’s perfect, he thought. Too perfect.

He leaned back against the window, arms crossed over his broad chest. “Any news from the Russians?”

Alessia placed a folder on his desk with the same quiet efficiency she always displayed. “They’ve agreed to meet. Tomorrow evening at the Grand Cielo. All terms are pending your review.”

Her voice was smooth, professional, as always. Not a hint of hesitation or emotion. It intrigued Dante how someone so skilled could remain so detached. Most people feared him, some tried to manipulate him, but Alessia? She was a mystery he hadn’t yet solved.

“Good,” he replied, his eyes lingering on her as she adjusted the stack of documents on his desk. “I assume you’ll be handling the details.”

“I already have,” she replied without looking up. “Their security teams are briefed, and I’ve arranged for extra surveillance on our side. There won’t be any surprises.”

There never are with you, are there? Dante thought, a slight smirk playing at the corner of his lips. He admired her efficiency, but there was something unsettling about how seamlessly she fit into his world. She had been his secretary for over a year now, but he knew almost nothing about her. And for someone like him, that was dangerous.

He pushed off from the window and walked over to his desk, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator circling its prey. “And you, Alessia,” he said, his voice dropping a fraction. “Are there any surprises I should know about with you?”

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Alessia’s hand stilled for a fraction of a second—a reaction so slight, most people wouldn’t have noticed. But Dante was not most people. Her heart gave a small, unexpected jolt, but she recovered quickly, her face a mask of calm.

He’s testing me again, she thought. He often did this, pushing her boundaries to see if she’d crack. But Alessia had been trained to withstand far worse. She had lived through more than he could ever imagine. And as much as he intrigued her, she couldn’t afford to let him get too close. Not when so much was at stake.

“No surprises,” she answered smoothly, her eyes meeting his for the briefest of moments. Those pale blue eyes of his were always calculating, always probing, like he was trying to strip her down to her very core. But she had been raised in a world where secrets were currency, and hers were more valuable than most.

Dante leaned over the desk, close enough that she could feel the heat of his body. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to thicken. He was waiting, watching for any crack in her armor.

But Alessia gave him nothing.

She never falters, he mused, impressed despite himself. Most people wilted under his gaze, their insecurities rising to the surface like oil on water. But Alessia? She remained untouched, impenetrable. It only made him want to know more.

“You’ve been with me for a while now,” he said, his voice low and measured. “Yet, I still know almost nothing about you.”

Alessia’s pulse quickened, but she kept her expression neutral. Stay calm. He’s fishing for something, she reminded herself. She had prepared for this—Dante’s curiosity was always going to be a problem. But she had been careful, every step of the way. The life she had left behind, the wealth and influence of the Volkov family, was locked away in a past she had buried deep.

“You know what you need to know,” she replied evenly, stepping back from his proximity. “I’m here to do a job, and I do it well. Isn’t that enough?”

Dante’s smirk widened, but there was no humor in his eyes. “For now.”

For now. The words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Dante was a man who always got what he wanted, and she knew that sooner or later, he would push harder, dig deeper. But Alessia had been prepared for this from the start. She had trained her entire life to hide in plain sight, to be untouchable.

And yet, there was something about Dante that unnerved her. It wasn’t fear—not exactly. She had faced far greater dangers in her life. But Dante was relentless, and she knew he wouldn’t stop until he had unraveled every thread of her existence.

She turned, walking to the large bay windows that overlooked the city. The sun was rising, casting the first golden light over the skyline. It was a beautiful, yet dangerous world out there. One that could swallow you whole if you let your guard down for even a second. And Dante was the embodiment of that danger.

But there was something else too. As much as she hated to admit it, there was an undeniable pull between them. An attraction she had tried to bury deep within herself. But every time their eyes met, it was there—lingering, simmering beneath the surface.

I can’t afford this, she reminded herself. Not with him. Not with anyone.

Dante watched her, his sharp eyes catching the subtle shift in her posture. He had seen her fight, watched her handle some of his most dangerous deals with a calm efficiency that rivaled his own. But there was something beneath the surface—something she was hiding, and it made her all the more fascinating.

“You’re a mystery, Alessia,” he said, his voice softer now, almost teasing. “And I don’t like mysteries.”

Alessia’s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles. “Then I suppose I’m doing my job well.”

Dante chuckled, a deep, low sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “You are. But every mystery has an answer.”

She met his gaze again, her dark eyes unreadable. “Some are better left unsolved.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their words hanging heavy in the room. Both knew that the game they were playing was dangerous, and that the stakes were higher than either of them was willing to admit. But neither was willing to back down.

Dante leaned against the edge of his desk, watching her closely. He had dealt with enemies, allies, and traitors alike, but Alessia was something different. She was a fortress—one he was determined to break through. But what lay behind her walls? That was the question that consumed him.

As the first rays of the sun fully illuminated the room, Dante knew one thing for certain: Alessia Volkov was the most dangerous piece on his chessboard. And he was going to figure her out.

No matter the cost.