The next day, Hayla found herself back at the Moretti mansion—but this time, she wasn't just a guest. Dante had insisted she meet some of his closest allies, people who had been part of his world for years. It was intimidating, but she trusted him… mostly.
The grand foyer felt enormous, the kind of place that made you feel small just by walking through it. Dante led her to a sitting room where three people were waiting. Two men and a woman, all dressed sharply, their expressions serious but polite.
"Hayla, these are people I trust with my life," Dante said. "Everyone, this is Hayla Coleman."
The introductions were quick. "I've heard a lot about you," said the woman, her tone friendly but measured. "Dante speaks highly of people who matter."
Hayla smiled politely, her nerves settling slightly. "I hope it's all good things," she said.
The tallest man chuckled. "Mostly good. You survived Dante's teenage drama, that's enough to earn my respect."
Dante gave him a sharp look, and Hayla stifled a laugh. Despite all the danger surrounding them, there were moments like this that made her realize he wasn't just a feared figure—he was also just a person. A person she had once cared for deeply.
After introductions, Dante led her aside. "These people will help you understand things—how my world works, who to trust, and who to avoid," he explained. "I don't want you walking into anything blindly."
Hayla nodded, taking in the seriousness in his voice. The more she learned, the more she realized how complicated Dante's life had become. He wasn't just the boy she remembered—he carried responsibilities, dangers, and decisions she had never imagined.
"You don't have to stay if this feels too much," he said quietly, almost as if reading her mind. "I understand why you left before. I wouldn't blame you if you ran again."
Hayla's chest tightened. She wanted to run, she admitted, but another part of her—the part that had always been drawn to him—wanted to stay. "I'm not running," she said firmly. "Not this time."
Dante's expression softened, a rare vulnerability flashing in his eyes. "Good," he said. "Because I could use someone like you on my side. And… because I don't want to face this without you."
Her heart skipped. That simple statement carried more than friendship—it carried trust, care, and something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years: hope.
For the rest of the afternoon, Dante showed her the inner workings of his world. Meetings, strategies, even subtle negotiations that seemed dangerous yet strangely fascinating. Hayla realized this life was far from easy, but she also realized something else: with Dante by her side, she felt alive in a way she hadn't in years.
As they stepped outside into the evening, the sun setting over Ravenna, Hayla knew one thing for certain: her life had changed forever. And while the past had brought pain, the future—uncertain, dangerous, but full of possibility—was finally hers to face.