Elena moved into Silas penthouse under protest and threats
The place was massive.Elena stayed as far away as possible from him she stayed on one side and he stayed on his side
Until it wasn't
She found him in the kitchen one time, sleeves rolled up cutting vegetables as if he had done it a thousand times
'You cook?"she blurted out
He slowly glanced back at her."You surprised "
"yes"she said snapping back to reality"I assumed you had people for that"
"I do"He said smoothly"But tonight I didn't want them "
Elena just stood there still analyzing the view in front of her and for some reason that annoyed her more than it should have.
As days passed arguments were slowly replaced with silence.And insults softened into banter that neither of them were ready to acknowledge
And then the ex showed up the girl that has had her name printed on magazines as and I quote "the daughter of the Russo's the only one they will acknowledge and praise the pride and joy of the Russo household "
The only girl that has been seen with Silas before that everyone thought he was just gay but after Valentina showed up almost every girl in the country hated her but didn't dare say a word cuz she had the Thorn and Russo names backing jer in everything she did
Valentina Russo the heir to the Russo empire the girl who's looks are probably more effective than her parents names she is tall with thick brown long hair and honestly a face card that will never be declined with her light green almond shaped eyes that can stare daggers at you
I honestly never thought I would meet her in my life
Valentina walked into the penthouse like she owned it ,with her Gucci heels clicking loudly on the marble floor,and her lips curved into a smile that was not so friendly
"Elena right?"Valentina said looking her up and down "Silas' .... guest I presume"
"I live here"Elena said calmly
Valentina's expression hardened as she turned to Silas and said"You didn't tell me you'd replace me so easily "
"I didn't replace you"Silas said calmly"we are done "
Valentina's smile didn't fade it sharpened into something I can't quite explain
Valentina didn't leave quietly
Rumors followed Elena.Whispers.Warnings.Suddenly guards were close. Doors locked tighter.
"What have I done to her "Elena said outraged after she heard Valentina got her followed
She feels trapped because going out means she hears all the whispers but staying in makes her feel like she's letting Valentina win the battle and honestly Silas wasn't much help he seemed rather amused by my frustrations. Sometimes I fantasize about hurting that big headed man .
Later as Elena is studying in her room she gets a message from her best friend Allie asking her to go out with some friends and put of weather frustrations or. just plane boredom she agreed
This is one of the rare occasions where Elena goes to a club with her friends or with anyone in general and today is the day she decides to let loose and let her freak flying
And tonight she actually makes sure she attempts to look stunning to at least hook up with a cute guy because she can't honestly say she has payed any attention to her look in a while so today she goes all out
She walks into the kitchen to get a bottle of water before she leaves and runs into Silas who actually does a double take when he sees her
His eyes assessing every inch of her from her straightened hair to her stunning open back black dress and her black and white sneakers which one would think would look bad but just looked like the worst kind of devilish beauty and to Silas she looked better than any woman he had seen
"Where are you going"Silas asked his eyes glued to her stunning outfit as he tried to contain his raw and uncontainable urge to tear that dress of her and do unholy things to her in that very kitchen
Elena responded"Out with some friends"
"I don't think so"Silas said with an urge to his voice
"Well unfortunately for u I don't care about what you think so get out of my way I'm late "Elena said trying to push past him
"Are you going with your guards "
"Obviously not I'm not a child I don't need a babysitter neither do I need to be followed by people I don't know "she said finally getting space to pass. "And even if I were in danger I've learnt never to count on anyone to have my back "
2 hours later
It is crazy how people get when they are drunk.
I can't believe I'm actually talking to a cute guy.
"—and then he just fired him on the spot," the guy in front of me said, laughing, his hand brushing lightly against mine like it was nothing.
Or maybe not nothing.
I smiled, tilting my head slightly. "That's… kind of terrifying."
"Only if you're on the wrong side of him," he replied smoothly. "I'm Daniel, by the way."
"Elena.
His smile widened. "Yeah, I heard."
Of course he did.
This place thrived on names. On faces. On stories that spread faster than fire.
I reached for my drink, taking a small sip—just enough to steady myself.
Maybe this was what I needed.
Noise. Distraction. Something that wasn't him.
For once, no whispers about penthouses or mafia ties. No guards hovering two steps behind me. No dark eyes watching my every move.
Just music. Lights. Freedom.
Or at least the illusion of it.
Daniel leaned closer, his voice dropping just enough to be heard over the music. "You don't seem like someone who comes here often."
"I don't," I admitted.
"Then I'm glad you decided to come tonight."
Before I could respond—
A sudden shift.
Subtle.
But wrong.
The music was still loud. People were still dancing.
But something in the air changed.
I felt it before I understood it.
Daniel's expression flickered—just for a second—as his eyes moved past me.
And that's when I knew.
Slowly…
I turned around.
And there he was.
Silas.
Standing at the edge of the crowd like he owned not just the room—but everyone in it.
His presence cut through everything.
The lights.
The music.
The people.
All of it.
Gone.
His eyes found mine instantly.
Dark.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
And furious.
Oh.
He was furious.
I straightened slightly, lifting my chin like I wasn't affected.
Like my heart didn't just slam against my ribs.
Like I didn't feel caught doing something I shouldn't.
He started walking toward me.
Not fast.
Not rushed.
But every step carried intention.
Power.
Control.
People moved without being told to. Clearing a path like they knew better than to stand in his way.
"Friend of yours?" Daniel asked, his voice lower now.
I didn't answer.
Because in that moment—
Silas stopped right in front of us.
His gaze flicked to Daniel.
Once.
That was all it took.
And suddenly Daniel wasn't smiling anymore.
"Leave," Silas said.
Calm.
Too calm.
Daniel hesitated. "We're just talking—"
"I wasn't talking to you twice."
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Daniel looked at me, unsure.
I should say something.
I should tell Silas to back off.
I should remind him he doesn't control me.
But the words…
Didn't come.
And that was enough.
Daniel stepped back. "Nice meeting you, Elena."
Then he was gone.
Just like that.
I exhaled slowly, crossing my arms. "You're unbelievable."
Silas didn't respond immediately.
He was too busy looking at me.
Really looking.
And it made my skin burn.
"That dress," he said quietly, "was a mistake."
I let out a sharp laugh. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"It's none of your business what I wear."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"It becomes my business when every man in this room is looking at you like that."
My eyes narrowed. "That sounds like a you problem."
A dangerous pause.
Then—
He stepped closer.
Too close.
Close enough that I could feel the heat of him, smell that familiar scent that I hated myself for noticing.
"You think this is a game?" he murmured.
"I think you need to relax," I shot back, even though my pulse betrayed me.
His hand suddenly wrapped around my wrist.
Not painfully.
But firmly.
Possessively.
"We're leaving."
"No, you're leaving," I snapped, trying to pull away. "I'm staying."
His grip tightened just slightly.
And his voice dropped.
"You walked out of my house without protection," he said. "After being warned. After knowing someone is watching you."
That hit.
But I refused to show it.
"I can handle myself."
His eyes darkened.
"Can you?"
The question wasn't mocking.
It was serious.
Too serious.
For a second… I hesitated.
And he saw it.
Of course he did.
Silas leaned in slightly, his voice low and dangerous.
"Because from where I'm standing," he said, "you just made yourself an easy target."
And right on cue—
The lights flickered.Just once.But enough.
Enough for instinct to kick in.
Enough for Silas' entire demeanor to shift.
His grip on me changed.
Not controlling anymore.Protective.Deadly.
"Stay close," he said sharply.
And suddenly—
This wasn't just a night out anymore.