The bodies were gone by morning.
Three Bratva men, each one erased like ghosts that had never existed.
The club had reopened like nothing had happened.
The strippers danced. The music blared. The VIP booths pulsed with life.
But Raven knew better.
She could feel the tension crawling beneath the surface—Dante's men watching every corner, their hands resting just a little too close to their weapons. Silent. Sharp. Ready.
She stood at the bar, sipping water she didn't want, dressed in a black lace corset that did little to shield her from the weight of their stares.
Luca approached from the side.
"Boss wants you in the back."
Of course he did.
🖤 Back Room – Dante's OfficeHe didn't speak when she entered.
Just stared out the window, smoke curling from the cigarette between his fingers.
Raven waited in silence.
She'd learned by now—Dante wasn't the type of man you rushed.
Finally, he spoke.
"There's a traitor in my house."
She stiffened. "You're sure?"
"I'm never not sure."
He turned.
There were bruises on his knuckles.
Blood under his nails.
But his face was calm.
Too calm.
"I'm handling it," he said. "But I want you to stay close."
"Why?"
He stepped toward her.
"Because I trust you more than most of the men I've bled with."
Her chest tightened.
"Are you sure that's wise?"
"No," he admitted. "But I want to believe in something."
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I want to believe in you."
Raven stared at him, heart racing.
Because in that moment...
She wanted to believe in him too.
🩸 Midnight – Dante's Private LoungeRaven wasn't supposed to be there.
She was supposed to be asleep in the penthouse.
But something felt wrong.
So she followed the voices.
And what she heard turned her blood cold.
"Boss is slipping," one of the guards whispered. "Blinded by that dancer."
"She's not just a dancer. She's a fucking rat."
"Think he'll listen if we tell him?"
"Doubt it. He's in too deep."
The other guard laughed darkly. "Guess it's time we made some choices."
She moved before she could think.
Stepped into the room.
Both men froze.
Their hands dropped to their weapons—but she was faster.
BANG.
The first man dropped.
BANG.
The second followed.
Blood sprayed across the wall.
Her hands shook.
She'd never killed without orders.
Never without backup.
But tonight, there was no line.
There was only Dante.
🕯️ Minutes Later – Inferno Security RoomDante arrived just as Luca finished rewinding the footage.
He watched the screen silently as Raven pulled the trigger—twice, no hesitation.
Luca whistled low. "Damn. She's colder than I thought."
Dante said nothing.
His jaw was tight, his fists clenched.
But when the tape ended, he turned and left without a word.
🔥 Penthouse – 2:13 AMShe was waiting for him.
Still covered in blood.
Still shaking.
"I heard," Dante said as he closed the door.
She looked at him. "Are you angry?"
He walked toward her, slow and unreadable.
"No."
"Then what are you?"
He stopped inches away.
"Obsessed."
Then he grabbed her—hard—and kissed her like a man who didn't know how to survive without her taste.
They crashed to the floor, clothes ripped, breath stolen.
There was nothing soft about it.
It was a claiming.
A war.
Her nails raked down his chest.
His teeth grazed her throat.
And when she came apart beneath him, he didn't stop.
Didn't slow.
He just whispered, "Mine."
🖤 After – Wrapped in DarknessShe lay on his chest, breath still ragged.
His hand stroked her back slowly.
"You didn't hesitate," he said.
"I couldn't."
He looked down at her.
"I need you to disappear for a few days."
"What?"
"The Bratva knows who you are now," he said. "They'll come for you harder."
"I'm not afraid of them."
"You should be."
He sat up and grabbed a small black phone from the nightstand.
"This has an encrypted line. I'll contact you through it only."
She blinked. "Where am I going?"
"There's a safehouse just outside the city. One of mine. Only Luca knows where it is."
She hesitated.
Then: "You think I'm a liability."
"I think I'm in love with you," he said quietly. "And that terrifies me."
Raven's heart stilled.
She didn't say it back.
She couldn't.
But she kissed him.
And in that kiss was everything she couldn't speak.
🩸 Elsewhere – Bratva HeadquartersThe man in the white suit was furious.
"She killed two of our men," he spat. "Insidethe club."
A lower lieutenant stepped forward. "She's his weakness."
"Exactly. And you know what we do with weaknesses."
He slid a photograph across the table.
It was blurry but clear enough.
Raven. In Dante's bed.
Sleeping.
"Find her," the man said. "And make sure he watches when she bleeds."
🕯️ The Safehouse – Three Days LaterThe cabin was quiet.
Too quiet.
Raven sat by the fire, curled in one of Dante's shirts, phone in hand.
Still no message.
Still no sign.
Was he dead?
Had he changed his mind?
The door creaked.
She jumped—
And then he was there.
Dirty. Bleeding. But alive.
She ran into his arms.
He held her like a lifeline.
"Someone in my circle sold me out," he murmured. "They tried to trap me in the warehouse."
"Did you kill them?"
He nodded.
But something about his eyes was different now.
Harder.
Darker.
"You were right," he whispered. "No one can be trusted."
"Not even me?" she asked softly.
He didn't answer.
Just pulled her into the bedroom.