Chapter 2

Alessia's POV

"Come on, baby, bet bigger!"

Texas oil tycoon Johnson excitedly pushed more chips forward while his fat palm rested on my thigh, creeping upward with restless intent.

I swallowed my disgust and flashed a sultry smile. "Looks like Mr. Johnson's having quite the lucky streak tonight."

"With a gorgeous little thing like you for company, of course I'm lucky." His hand grew bolder, squeezing my ass while his lustful gaze devoured my cleavage. "Baby, how about we continue this in my room later? I promise to make you... very happy."

Disgusting old pervert. But I needed this money, needed those white pills to help me forget the past.

The VIP room at Atlantic City's Borgata Casino was thick with cigar smoke, crystal chandeliers casting glittering light across the green felt tables. Three years. I'd been living under the false identity of Ava for three years, learning to survive with a woman's weapons—beauty, seduction, and ruthless calculation.

Faking my death was the only choice. I couldn't keep being the third wheel in Dante's marriage, and I sure as hell couldn't let him discover my sordid past...

I'd rather die gloriously as Alex in his memory.

"Miss, looks like you're having quite the lucky night."

That low, familiar voice came from behind me. My blood turned to ice.

Impossible. How could he be here?

A burning body pressed against my back, that familiar cologne surrounding me. A hand lightly caressed my shoulder.

"Sorry to interrupt, Johnson." Dante's voice was ice-cold. "I'd like to have a private word with this beautiful lady."

Johnson's face went ashen. "Mr. Black... I, I didn't know this lady was yours..."

"Now you do. GET OUT."

Johnson fled the VIP room in a panic, not even bothering to collect his chips.

I slowly turned around to face those dark eyes I'd missed and feared in equal measure. Three years had passed, and he was even more mature and dangerous, with something unreadable in his gaze.

"Good evening, beautiful." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Dante Black."

I forced myself to stay calm. "Of course I know who you are. Who doesn't know New York's underground emperor?"

His gaze traveled brazenly up and down my body, that predatory look making my skin crawl.

"And what's this beauty's name?"

"Ava Miller."

"Ava..." He repeated thoughtfully, stepping closer. "Pretty name. How about we play some Texas Hold'em? Just the two of us."

I wanted to refuse but couldn't act suspicious. "Fine, but I'm not exactly a amateur."

"That's what makes it interesting, sweetheart."

He had the dealer reshuffle and deal fresh cards. We sat across from each other, the air so tense it was suffocating.

First round, I got pocket kings. My hand unconsciously made a gesture—index finger tapping the table three times.

SHIT! That was Alex's tell!

Dante's eyes sharpened instantly. "Interesting habit."

"What?" I played innocent.

"Nothing, baby." He smiled coolly. "I'll call."

Over the next several rounds, I realized Dante was deliberately losing. He was testing me, watching my every reaction.

"Mr. Black's really having awful luck tonight."

"Maybe." He said casually, then stood and moved behind me. "You know, you remind me of someone. A guy named Alex."

My heart skipped a beat, but I kept smiling. "That's a pretty common pickup line. Besides, I definitely don't look like a man."

"Definitely not." He leaned down close, his chest almost touching my back, arms reaching around to supposedly organize the chips on the table. "Alex was special. Loyal, brave, but STUPID as hell."

His hand reached for the chips, deliberately sliding from my collarbone toward my neckline. "Let me help you organize these."

Chips slipped down my neckline into my cleavage, his fingertips intentionally brushing my skin with lingering touches.

"Mr. Black..." My voice trembled.

"What's wrong, beautiful?" He chuckled softly behind my ear, hot breath on my neck. "Getting nervous?"

DAMN IT, he was deliberately toying with me!

"What made him so stupid?" I struggled to stay composed.

"He died saving me." His voice turned ice-cold, fingers still roaming across my chest. "What a goddamn waste. Good thing you're not him, or I'd fucking kill that bastard. He made me suffer for three whole years."

"Sounds like... you cared about him." I swallowed hard.

"Cared?" He laughed coldly, his other hand slowly caressing my neck as if ready to tighten at any moment. "You know what? I wish I could dig that lying piece of shit out of his grave and kill him again."

My hands trembled slightly, and he noticed immediately.

"What? Feeling sorry for the dead guy?" He picked up more chips, slowly stuffing them down my neckline. "Or... remembering something you shouldn't?"

"No... nothing..." I was completely tense.

He suddenly grabbed my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. "Your eyes... very familiar."

We were so close I could feel the heat of his breath, smell that familiar scent on him. That dangerous attraction almost made me surrender completely.

"Looks like I lost this hand too." He finally released me, but his fingers lingered on my cheek. "That's enough for tonight, Ava sweetheart."

I felt relieved, quickly gathering my chips to leave.

"Wait."

I froze. "Something else?"

He slowly stood and walked toward me. That familiar overwhelming presence made me feel like I was suffocating.

"Forgot to mention one thing." He pressed close, hand settling on my waist. "See you around, Alessia Ross."

My blood turned completely cold.

How did he know my real name...

"You've got the wrong person." I tried to stay calm, but my voice was already shaking.

He stepped back, revealing a dangerously meaningful smile. "Really? That makes it even more interesting."

Then he turned and left without looking back.

The door closed, leaving me standing there alone, legs weak, nearly collapsing into the chair.

FUCK! I was completely exposed!

Three years of hiding, three years of disguise, all shot to hell in this moment. Dante not only knew I was alive, but knew my real identity too.