Midnight came like a dare.
Rain streaked across the city, painting the streets in silver and shadow.
Sarah stood by the window, wrapped in a red silk dress.
She didn't know why she'd chosen it.
Maybe because he told her to.
Her heart pounded with every tick of the clock.
She told herself she wasn't nervous — just curious.
But curiosity was dangerous.
A black car pulled up outside her apartment building.
No headlights. No driver visible.
Her phone buzzed.
> Come down.
Her breath caught.
She grabbed her coat and walked into the night.
The door of the sleek black car opened before she reached it.
And there he was.
Dante Moretti.
Relaxed in the backseat, shirt unbuttoned just enough to hint at sin.
He looked up, eyes slow and assessing.
"Punctual," he said. "I like that."
"I wasn't sure I'd come," she replied.
"But you did."
His lips curved faintly. "That's what matters."
She slid into the seat beside him. The scent of leather, smoke, and expensive danger wrapped around her.
The car moved silently through the city.
Sarah watched the streets blur past. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
"Do you ever answer a question directly?" she asked.
He glanced at her, amused. "Only when the answer matters."
They drove for twenty minutes in silence.
Finally, the car pulled up in front of an exclusive, hidden club — no sign, just two guards in black at the door.
Dante stepped out first and offered his hand.
She hesitated — then took it.
His grip was warm, commanding.
Inside, the music was low and dark.
Velvet shadows. Whiskey lights. People who looked untouchable.
Sarah's pulse quickened. "What is this place?"
"Mine," Dante said simply.
Of course it was.
He led her through the crowd to a private lounge.
The door closed behind them, sealing out the noise.
He poured two glasses of red wine, handed her one.
"To new beginnings," he said.
She lifted the glass. "Or to new mistakes."
He smirked. "Sometimes they're the same thing."
They drank.
The silence stretched — charged, electric.
Finally, he leaned back, eyes on her.
"Tell me what you want, Sarah."
She froze. "What I want?"
"Yes. Not what they told you to want. Not what your father expected. You."
Her throat tightened. "I want them to pay."
"Good," he said softly. "Then we understand each other."
He placed a small file on the table. "Dominic and Vanessa have accounts offshore. Hidden assets. You were cut out months ago."
Her chest ached. "How do you know all this?"
He smiled faintly. "I make it my business to know things."
She stared at him. "You've been watching me?"
His gaze didn't waver. "Since the gala."
Her breath caught. "Why?"
He didn't answer right away.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low, deliberate.
"Because I saw a woman who lost everything and still refused to bow. That kind of defiance interests me."
Her pulse jumped. "You're insane."
"Maybe," he said. "But I'm the kind of insane that wins."
He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, eyes fixed on her.
"I'm offering you power, Sarah. I can help you take everything back — and more."
She shook her head. "And what do you want in return?"
Dante's smile was slow, dangerous.
"You."
Her breath hitched. "Me?"
"Not forever," he said. "Just long enough for you to understand what it means to have someone completely."
Her voice was barely a whisper. "That sounds like ownership."
"It's not," he murmured. "It's surrender. And there's a difference."
The air between them thickened.
Her body betrayed her — a shiver, a breath, a pull she couldn't fight.
She tried to laugh it off. "You think I'll just agree to that?"
"No," Dante said softly. "I think you'll try to resist. And I think you'll fail."
Silence.
Just her heartbeat, too loud, too fast.
He rose, stepping close enough that she could feel the heat of him.
"I don't need your answer tonight. But when you decide, understand this — once you enter my world, there's no turning back."
Her lips parted. "And if I say no?"
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Then I'll let you go. But Dominic and Vanessa will keep everything they stole. And you'll always wonder what might've happened if you'd chosen differently."
He brushed his thumb along her jaw, his touch sending a tremor through her.
"Think carefully, bella vendetta," he whispered. "Beautiful revenge."
Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment.
When she opened them, he was gone — leaving her alone in the quiet, the scent of him still clinging to the air.
She stared at the empty chair, her heart aching and furious all at once.
He'd made his offer.
Now she had to decide.
Her phone buzzed again, screen glowing in the dim light.
A new message from an unknown number:
> They're planning to sell your father's company tomorrow.
What will you do, princess?
And beneath it — a single red rose emoji.