Chapter 10: FORBIDDEN DESIRE
ENZO'S POV
I sat on the veranda, puffing on my cigarette, feeling the cool breeze on my face. Just as I was starting to relax, Francesca stormed out, her eyes blazing.
"What's going on with you, Enzo?" she demanded. "One minute you're roughing up Diana, the next you're protecting her like she's your own. What do you want from her?"
I exhaled slowly, not bothering to respond to her tantrum. "We both know Carlos doesn't want Diana hurt," I said firmly, my voice even. Francesca's eyes narrowed, but I just kept smoking, not giving her the satisfaction of getting under my skin.
"Carlos or you?" Francesca spat, her eyes flashing with anger. My heart skipped a beat at her words, but I kept my expression neutral, not giving her the satisfaction of seeing me flinch.
I turned to face her, my gaze steady, but I didn't respond. Francesca's face reddened with rage.
"Don't you keep me numb!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the veranda. "Why haven't you given her to Carlos yet?" she demanded, her words dripping with venom.
"Don't you dare shout at me, woman," I growled, my voice firm and commanding. Francesca's face paled slightly, and she took a step back, her eyes flashing with anger.
But she quickly regained her composure, her expression smoothing out into a mask of calm. Without a word, she turned and stalked away, leaving me standing alone on the veranda.
Diana woke up slowly, yawning as she opened her eyes. She looked up at me, and I kept my expression neutral, not giving away any emotions.
"How long have you been here?" she asked, her voice husky from sleep.
"For a while," I replied, still keeping a straight face.
"Have you eaten something?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Diana nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. "You've already done enough to me," she said, her voice laced with a mix of sadness and anger. "Isn't it enough?"
As she spoke, she struggled to stand up, her movements slow and awkward. But she persisted, her eyes fixed on me as she took a step closer. I didn't move, didn't react, but inside, my heart was racing with anticipation.
"Please let me go," Diana whispered, her voice barely audible. I looked at her, my expression unyielding.
"It's not that easy," I replied, my voice firm.
Diana's eyes locked onto mine, her gaze pleading. But there was something else in her eyes, something that sparked a fire within me. I felt myself being drawn to her, my desire igniting.
Without thinking, I leaned in, my lips crashing onto hers. For a moment, she didn't resist, and we deepened the kiss. But in the next instant, she pushed me away, her eyes flashing with anger and confusion.
I stood there, my chest heaving, my lips still burning from the kiss. I knew I'd crossed a line, but I couldn't help myself. There was something about Diana that drew me in, something that made me want to claim her as my own .
And in the next instant, I turned my back to leave. But as I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just made a mistake. A mistake that would change everything.
As I walked back to my room, I couldn't help but think about Diana. What was it about her that drew me in?
I entered my room, closing the door behind me. I leaned against the door, my mind racing with thoughts of Diana. I knew I had to be careful, that I couldn't let my feelings get the best of me.
But as I stood there, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was already in too deep. That I'd already crossed a line, and there was no going back.
"Mr. Dante is here." My assistant voice said cutting through the air
A sly smile spread across Carlos face as recalled his conversation with Enzo. He gestured for his assistant to show Dante in, savoring the taste of his wine.
As Dante entered, Carlos's eyes scanned him, noting the sharp jawline and piercing gaze. "Mr. Dante," he said, his voice neutral. "Welcome." Dante's gaze narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable.
Carlos gestured to the chair across from him. "Please, have a seat." Dante sat down, his eyes locked on Carlos's. A tension emanated from him, a coiled energy waiting to be unleashed.
"So, Mr. Carlos," Dante began, leaning back in his chair. "What do you have for me?" Carlos savored his wine, his eyes locked on Dante's. "Not so fast, my dear," he said, his voice measured. "In business, information is a valuable currency. If I were to tell you who killed your family... what would I get in return?"
Dante's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "What do you have to make me believe you know something?" he growled. Carlos smiled, impressed. "You're a smart one, Dante," he said, pulling out an old VHS tape from his drawer.
Dante's gaze flicked to the tape, his expression unreadable. "What's that?" he asked, his voice neutral. Carlos leaned back in his chair, the tape dangling from his fingers. "Oh, just a little something," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.
He slid the tape into the player, the sounds of desperation and terror filling the room. Dante's parents, his sister begged for help, their voices laced with fear, before the unmistakable sound of gunshots echoed through the speakers.
Dante's face contorted in rage, his eyes blazing with fury. He lunged forward, desperate to see the video, but Carlos's men restrained him, holding him back. "Not so fast, Mr. Dante," Carlos said, his voice calm and collected.
"I don't need much, but...the thing is, I've developed a certain fondness for your sister." Dante's eyes widened in horror, his face pale with rage. "You're insane," he spat, struggling against Carlos's men's grip.
Carlos smiled, unmoved. "Perhaps. But that's my price, Dante. Your sister...... Diana in exchange for the truth about your family's murder."