One
The heavy bass of the nightclub vibrated through the walls, a seductive pulse that matched the heat of the crowd writhing below. Neon lights painted the room in hues of red and gold, their glow bouncing off the glass of expensive whiskey Dante "Viper" Armand swirled lazily in his hand. Seated in the shadows of a private booth on the second floor, he overlooked his empire with the cool precision of a predator. He exuded danger, a man untouchable, unflinching, and utterly ruthless.
But tonight, even the din of the club couldn't drown out his fury.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done, Carlo?” Dante’s voice was low, calm, and coated in venom.
The man across from him trembled, his face pale as he stammered, “Dante, please…I didn’t mean to—”
“You didn’t mean to?” Dante set his glass down with deliberate care, his dark eyes slicing into Carlo’s soul. “You sold information to Petrova, you rat. You compromised my operation. You compromised me.”
Carlo dropped to his knees, his pleas swallowed by the heavy beat of the music outside. “It was a mistake, I’ll fix it. Please, give me a chance!”
Dante’s lips curved into a cruel smile, one that never reached his eyes. “You’re right about one thing: you made a mistake.” He signaled to his underboss, Marcus, who stepped forward with a blade gleaming in the dim light.
“No! Please!” Carlo’s screams echoed as Marcus dragged him out. The muffled cries faded behind the thick steel door leading to the basement. Dante leaned back, unaffected, and reached for his whiskey. He didn’t flinch when the blood-curdling scream rang out moments later.
Dante’s attention shifted as a waitress approached his booth, a tremor in her steps. “Your drink, sir,” she said softly, her hands trembling as she placed another glass of whiskey in front of him.
She knew better than to meet his gaze.
“Good girl,” he murmured, dismissing her without so much as a glance.
Kaela Vance had just clocked in for her shift, already feeling the weight of exhaustion. Her black miniskirt clung too tightly, and the heels pinched her feet, but she couldn’t afford to complain. Not when the paychecks were her lifeline.
As she rushed through the bustling kitchen, her manager barked at her. “Table seven’s asking for you! VIP section!”
Kaela cursed under her breath. VIP sections were always trouble. She adjusted her tray and smoothed her uniform, forcing a professional smile as she navigated the throng of bodies on the dance floor.
The moment she entered the VIP area, her breath hitched.
He was there.
The man in the white suit, sitting like a king on a throne. She’d seen him before, always surrounded by shadows and whispers. But up close, his presence was suffocating. He was handsome in a cruel way, chiseled jaw, thick dark hair slicked back, and eyes that pierced like shards of obsidian.
Kaela swallowed hard and approached his table, careful not to trip.
“Another whiskey?” she asked, her voice steady despite the storm brewing in her chest.
Dante’s gaze flicked to her, sharp and assessing. His eyes dragged over her figure, lingering a second too long.
“Make it quick,” he ordered, his voice deep and commanding.
Kaela nodded and turned, her heart hammering. She felt his eyes follow her as she moved, an invisible weight pressing against her back. As she reached the bar, she cursed herself for letting him unnerve her.
“Here you go,” the bartender said, handing her the glass.
Kaela carefully placed it on her tray and made her way back. But just as she approached his table, the unthinkable happened. A drunken patron stumbled into her, and the tray tilted. Before she could steady it, the whiskey splashed all over Dante’s pristine white suit.
The air seemed to freeze.
Kaela’s heart dropped as her eyes shot to his face. His expression was blank, dangerously calm, but his dark eyes burned with fury.
“I–I’m so sorry!” she stammered, grabbing a napkin and reaching for him.
“Stop.” His voice cut through her panic like a blade.
Kaela froze, her hand hovering mid-air.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?” he asked, his tone so low it sent shivers down her spine.
“It was an accident,” she said quickly, stepping back. “I didn’t mean–”
“Accidents,” Dante interrupted, rising slowly from his seat, “cost lives in my world.”
Kaela swallowed hard as he towered over her. His scent, a mix of expensive cologne and danger, was overwhelming.
“Tell me,” he murmured, his lips curling into a mocking smile. “Do you think you’re worth an apology?”
Kaela’s pride flared, battling against the fear tightening her chest. “I said I was sorry,” she snapped, her chin lifting. “What more do you want?”
Dante’s smile disappeared. The temperature seemed to drop as he stepped closer, his voice a whisper that somehow drowned out the music.
“Careful, little girl. You’re playing with fire.”
Kaela’s defiance wavered, but she held his gaze, refusing to back down.
Dante stared at her for a long moment, then let out a dark chuckle. “Interesting.” He turned to Marcus, who had returned from handling Carlo. “Bring her to my office.”
Kaela’s stomach flipped. “What? No, I have tables to–”
“You work for me,” Dante said coldly. “Now move.”
Marcus grabbed her arm, and Kaela’s protests were drowned out as she was dragged toward the back of the club.
Dante’s office was as cold and imposing as the man himself. The walls were lined with dark wood, the desk polished to a shine, and the air thick with tension.
Kaela stood in the center, her arms crossed as she glared at him. “What do you want from me?”
Dante leaned against his desk, studying her like a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve.
“Your name,” he said simply.
She blinked. “What?”
“Your name,” he repeated, his tone firm.
“Kaela,” she said reluctantly. “Kaela Vance.”
Dante’s eyes narrowed. “Vance.” He rolled the name over his tongue as if testing its weight.
Kaela shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny. “Look, if this is about the drink, I said I was sorry–”
“Do you know who I am, Kaela?” he interrupted, his voice soft but dangerous.
Her silence was enough.
“I am the man who owns this city. The man people fear.” He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. “And you–you’re nothing but a waiter. A nobody.”
Kaela’s cheeks burned with anger and humiliation, but she refused to cry. “Then why waste your time on nobody?” she shot back.
Dante’s lips twitched, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. “Because you’ve intrigued me.”
Kaela’s heart raced as his hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She flinched, and he smirked.
“You’re brave,” he murmured, his voice like silk. “Or foolish. “I should kill you for your insolence,” Dante growled, his eyes narrowing on her defiant stance.
“Then stop talking and do it,” Kaela shot back, trembling but unyielding.
Kaela’s heart raced, Dante’s lips twitched, a flicker of amusement crossing his face
Before she could respond, the door burst open, and Marcus stepped in. “We have a problem,” he said urgently.
Dante’s expression darkened. “What kind of problem?”
“Petrova’s men. They’re moving on the docks.”
Dante’s jaw clenched. He turned to Kaela, his gaze hard and unyielding. “Stay here.”
“Like hell I will,” she snapped.
Dante raised an eyebrow, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Defiant to the end,” he said softly. “I’ll deal with you later.”
With that, he stormed out, leaving Kaela alone in the oppressive silence of his office.
She sat down, her mind racing. Who was this man? And why did he have such a hold over her?
The sound of gunfire echoed faintly in the distance, sending a chill down her spine.
Whatever world she’d stumbled into, she knew one thing for certain, there was no escaping Dante Armand.
Not now. Not ever.