Chapter 7

• The dim light of the study cast long shadows across the room, where Dante Mancini sat behind a large mahogany desk, a glass of aged whisky in hand. The amber liquid swirled gently as he contemplated the flickering flames in the fireplace, his mind racing with thoughts of Aria Monroe. The weight of his decisions pressed heavily on him, but he masked it with an air of indifference.
• Rocco, his loyal enforcer and confidant, stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him. He had a knack for sensing when Dante was in a contemplative mood, but today, something felt different.
• “Boss,” Rocco began, his tone casual yet probing, “I heard you sent Henry’s daughter with Zander. You wanted to send her to the brothel or auction. Why the sudden change of heart?”