Chapter 1 - The Getaway
I stared at the open door of the black sedan.
The cold October wind bit harshly at my bare arms, raising goosebumps on my skin.
Dante Vale did not pressure me to get inside.
He simply waited by the idling car with the quiet, dangerous patience of an apex predator.
I looked back up the grand marble stairs of the Drake Hotel.
I knew Roman would recover from the shock and send his armed men out at any second.
Without another word, I slid into the luxurious leather passenger seat.
Dante closed the door firmly behind me, shutting out the biting Chicago chill.
He casually walked around the front of the car and slid effortlessly behind the steering wheel.
The powerful engine purred to life just as the heavy brass doors of the hotel burst wide open.
Three of Roman's suited enforcers spilled onto the landing, their hands aggressively reaching into their tailored jackets.
Dante did not hesitate as he slammed his foot down on the gas pedal.
The tires squealed violently against the pavement as we shot out into the busy city traffic.
I watched in the side mirror as the angry men frantically scrambled toward their own parked vehicles.
My heart hammered violently against my ribs like a trapped bird trying to escape its cage.
I had just publicly humiliated the most powerful and dangerous man in the entire city.
"You have about ten minutes before he locks down every bridge and tunnel in Chicago," Dante said quietly.
His dark, observant eyes flicked to the rearview mirror to check our tail.
"Why are you helping me escape?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
Dante smoothly navigated a sharp, dangerous turn into a narrow, unlit alleyway.
"I am not just helping you, Evelyn."
He killed the headlights instantly as a black SUV sped past the alley entrance, completely missing us.
"I am destroying him."
I looked down at my bare left hand, the phantom weight of the Castellano sapphire still burning my finger.
"You are doing this because of the territory dispute?" I guessed, remembering the whispered rumors about their rivalry.
Dante let out a dark, humorless laugh that sent a shiver down my spine.
"I am doing this because of the girl."
I frowned, absolute confusion cutting through my fading adrenaline.
"Vanessa?" I asked, struggling to understand why a mafia boss would care about a mistress.
Dante shifted the car back into drive and slowly pulled out of the shadows.
"She is not just a random mistress, Evelyn."
May you like
He turned to look at me, his handsome face set into an expression of grim certainty.
"She is the governor's youngest daughter, and Roman just used you to publicly finalize a political alliance that makes him completely untouchable."
