Chapter 1 Prologue

• Giulia
• I couldn't have imagined that, once again, I was making the mistake of chasing after Dante Mitolli. I could send this idiot to hell, but not at that exact moment because I needed him and his protection.
• I had never loved anyone like I loved him, and perhaps I still did, even though I desperately wanted to exorcise him from my life. After the love we shared in those few months when I swore he would change, I suffered more than just a breakup. To Dante, I was nothing more than a warm body in his bed.
• And after he left me without an explanation, I had to fend for myself to stay on my feet and away from my father because I was carrying his child and he hated the Mitollis.
• They were the kings of the city, ruling everything; they were dangerous. The man who brought me into this world was nothing more than a lackey who betrayed them and swore vengeance.
• When he discovered my "betrayal" in uniting with Dante, he promised to kill me along with my daughter, of whose existence Dante's father had no idea.
• I wished I had the power to change things, but seeing her in my arms every day gave me the certainty that, no matter how painful it was to love someone so worthless, I would do it all over again just to have her with me.
• As if it weren't enough to constantly flee from the monster who claimed to be my father, I also had to humiliate myself and grovel at the feet of a cold and egotistical man. The two previous times I tried to contact him, I was blocked by his security guards, who had been reinforced since the last attempted coup against the Mitollis.
• None of them trusted anyone anymore. Their legacy was being built on fear. Whoever you were and however much money you had, you could suffer the consequences of losing your head if you stepped out of line.
• The mafia had completely taken over the city, which was already considered one of the worst for crime and trafficking.
• And at that moment, I found myself having to pay an amount I didn't easily have just to enter through the back of a filthy, impure nightclub in search of an opportunity to be face to face with the man I had sworn never to have the displeasure of meeting again.
• I took a deep breath before looking at myself in the mirror, seeing myself in those vulgar clothes and heavy makeup.
• God! What hadn't I done to keep my daughter safe? I had never gone this far, but working while knowing my father wanted to kill her was hard. I think I've lost count of how many jobs I lost and how many times I had to move. And yet, he was still only a few steps behind me.
• Without Dante, I couldn't leave that city. I wasn't looking for fatherhood or anything beyond his protection and help. Getting me out of the country was my goal, and I would try not to look him in the eyes to avoid forgetting everything he had done to me and falling for his charm again.
• "He's here," Ava, the person who ran the place where women sold their bodies and drugs were freely traded, informed me. "He doesn't come here for women, he usually just sits and watches," she explained, looking me up and down. "I don't know if he'll want you to approach."
• Giulia
• I couldn't have imagined that, once again, I was making the mistake of chasing after Dante Mitolli. I could send this idiot to hell, but not at that exact moment because I needed him and his protection.
• I had never loved anyone like I loved him, and perhaps I still did, even though I desperately wanted to exorcise him from my life. After the love we shared in those few months when I swore he would change, I suffered more than just a breakup. To Dante, I was nothing more than a warm body in his bed.
• And after he left me without an explanation, I had to fend for myself to stay on my feet and away from my father because I was carrying his child and he hated the Mitollis.
• They were the kings of the city, ruling everything; they were dangerous. The man who brought me into this world was nothing more than a lackey who betrayed them and swore vengeance.
• When he discovered my "betrayal" in uniting with Dante, he promised to kill me along with my daughter, of whose existence Dante's father had no idea.
• I wished I had the power to change things, but seeing her in my arms every day gave me the certainty that, no matter how painful it was to love someone so worthless, I would do it all over again just to have her with me.
• As if it weren't enough to constantly flee from the monster who claimed to be my father, I also had to humiliate myself and grovel at the feet of a cold and egotistical man. The two previous times I tried to contact him, I was blocked by his security guards, who had been reinforced since the last attempted coup against the Mitollis.
• None of them trusted anyone anymore. Their legacy was being built on fear. Whoever you were and however much money you had, you could suffer the consequences of losing your head if you stepped out of line.
• The mafia had completely taken over the city, which was already considered one of the worst for crime and trafficking.
• And at that moment, I found myself having to pay an amount I didn't easily have just to enter through the back of a filthy, impure nightclub in search of an opportunity to be face to face with the man I had sworn never to have the displeasure of meeting again.
• I took a deep breath before looking at myself in the mirror, seeing myself in those vulgar clothes and heavy makeup.
• God! What hadn't I done to keep my daughter safe? I had never gone this far, but working while knowing my father wanted to kill her was hard. I think I've lost count of how many jobs I lost and how many times I had to move. And yet, he was still only a few steps behind me.
• Without Dante, I couldn't leave that city. I wasn't looking for fatherhood or anything beyond his protection and help. Getting me out of the country was my goal, and I would try not to look him in the eyes to avoid forgetting everything he had done to me and falling for his charm again.
• "He's here," Ava, the person who ran the place where women sold their bodies and drugs were freely traded, informed me. "He doesn't come here for women, he usually just sits and watches," she explained, looking me up and down. "I don't know if he'll want you to approach."
• "I don't need him to want me. I'm going to that idiot, say what I came to say, and leave," I said furiously, trying to pull down the tiny skirt. I didn't even know why I had agreed to wear this crap. "Just tell me where he is, and I'll handle the rest."
• "VIP area." The look of disdain was nothing new to me. "The only way to get close to him is by serving drinks."
• "Alright, let's get this over with." I took a deep breath and left the room where the women dressed and put on makeup before going out to the floor.
• The place was large, modern, and had an air of mystery. The predominant colors were red and black. Gaming tables were on the ground floor, and a bar and dance area were on the first floor. The VIP area was nearby, where meetings and business deals took place. There were also some private rooms where women took the men.
• I felt exposed as I looked around and saw some of the men staring at me. My clothes were so small they only covered the essential parts of my body.
• I headed to the bar and asked about the drinks that would be taken to the VIP area. I picked up the tray, thinking the glasses would fall from my hand. I was nervous; not just about being in that place, but because in a few minutes, I would be in his presence.
• The more I walked, the more men of all ages looked me up and down. The pit in my stomach grew as I stepped on the first stair. I took another deep breath and reminded myself that he was an idiot, and I hated him. I would pour all my hatred onto him, and that was it.
• With every step I took, it felt like I was walking on flames. I avoided eye contact, delivered some drinks, and kept moving forward.
• On a dark leather sofa, looking at some papers, was Dante. He seemed focused, angry. This only made me more anxious. Two men stood a few steps away from him, acting as his security. I already knew them. They had sent me away, practically chased me off, the other times I tried to approach him.
• I hoped my exaggerated disguise would help me get past this first level.
• "Stop right there!" one of them ordered, and I avoided looking at him. I was so nervous I might blow my chance. "He didn't order a drink."
• "It's a courtesy," I said.
• I can't lose this chance, even if I have to kick these two out of the way.
• "Then give it to me, and I'll hand it to him." He approached to take the glass, but I pulled it away.
• "No. This is my job." I finally looked at the tall, stern-faced man with some scars. "It's just a drink."
• "Step back!" His gaze darkened.
• A chill ran down my spine and spread through my body, leaving me frustrated. This was my opportunity. I couldn't run away anymore, there was no way out. My daughter needed protection.
• "DANTE!" I yelled.
• I would never normally do something like this, but it was the only way.
• He looked up at me, frowning, as surprised as I was, and just watched me.
• "I need to talk to you now!" I continued.
• I wasn't expecting the brute's reaction when he grabbed my wrist forcefully, knocking the tray and glass to the floor, spilling everything. I tried to free myself from his grip, which only made him squeeze harder, while the other one grabbed me too, trying to throw me out.
• I didn't hold back as I stomped my stiletto heel on the first one's foot. He let go in pain, giving me just enough room for Dante to see me.
• "Please, I need your help!"
• The fu
• rious guy yanked me so hard I thought my arms would be torn off.
• "LET HER GO NOW!"