My blood freezes.
Marco is standing in the doorway of the study, staring directly at me.
"Elena?"
His voice is calm.
Too calm.
My heart is pounding so hard I'm sure he can hear it.
I force myself to turn around slowly.
"I… couldn't sleep," I say.
It's the first excuse that comes to my mind, and it sounds weak even to me.
Marco studies my face carefully.
"How long have you been standing there?"
Every instinct in my body screams at me to lie.
"Just got here," I say, shrugging lightly. "I was looking for water."
For a moment neither of us moves.
The guard behind him glances between us nervously.
Marco's eyes narrow slightly.
He's trying to read me.
Trying to figure out if I heard something.
My palms start sweating.
If he realizes I know the truth…
I won't make it out of this hallway alive.
"You shouldn't be wandering around the mansion this late," Marco says.
His voice is still polite.
But something about it feels different now.
Sharp.
Careful.
"I didn't realize there was a curfew," I reply.
Marco gives a small smile.
"There isn't. But this place isn't exactly safe for someone like you."
Someone like me.
The words make my stomach twist.
I nod slowly.
"Noted."
For a moment he continues staring at me.
Then finally he steps back.
"You should go back to your room."
I don't argue.
I turn and start walking down the hallway, forcing myself not to move too fast.
Not to look back.
Every step feels heavy.
My mind is screaming.
Find Dante.
But where is he?
His office is behind me.
And Marco is standing right there.
If I go back now, it'll look suspicious.
I reach the staircase and start climbing quickly.
The moment I turn the corner, I break into a run.
My heart is racing.
Marco is planning another attack.
Inside the mansion.
And Dante has no idea.
I reach the upper floor just as a familiar voice calls out behind me.
"Elena?"
I spin around.
Dante is walking down the hallway toward me.
Relief floods through me so suddenly my knees almost give out.
"Dante," I say, breathless.
He stops immediately.
"What happened?"
His eyes move over my face quickly, reading the panic there.
"I need to talk to you."
His expression hardens.
"Now."
Without another word, he opens the door to his study and gestures for me to enter.
The moment the door closes behind us, he turns to me.
"What is it?"
I hesitate for half a second.
Because what I'm about to say will change everything.
"I overheard something."
His gaze sharpens instantly.
"Where?"
"In the hallway outside your study."
"Who?"
"Marco."
The room goes completely still.
Dante doesn't move.
Doesn't speak.
But something in his eyes changes.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
"What about him?" he asks quietly.
My throat feels dry.
"He's working with your enemies."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
"He's been giving them information," I continue. "Security rotations, guard positions… everything."
Dante's expression becomes unreadable.
"And you're certain?"
"Yes."
I force myself to hold his gaze.
"I heard him talking to one of the guards. They're planning another attack."
His jaw tightens slightly.
"When?"
"Soon."
Another quiet moment passes.
Then Dante walks to the desk and presses a button on a small device.
"Luca," he says calmly.
Luca's voice answers through the speaker.
"Yeah?"
"Come to my study."
"On my way."
The line goes silent.
I watch Dante carefully.
"You believe me?" I ask.
"Yes."
The answer comes immediately.
That surprises me.
"You didn't even question it."
"You wouldn't lie about something like this."
His certainty makes my chest tighten slightly.
Within seconds the door opens and Luca steps inside.
"What's going on?"
Dante looks at him.
"Marco is the leak."
Luca freezes.
"Are you serious?"
"Elena overheard him."
Luca runs a hand through his hair.
"Damn it."
Dante's voice remains calm.
"Bring him here."
Luca nods once.
"Right now."
He leaves quickly.
The door closes again.
I turn to Dante.
"You're just going to confront him?"
"Yes."
"That seems dangerous."
Dante's expression doesn't change.
"It is."
Before I can say anything else, the door opens again.
Luca walks in.
Marco is behind him.
Two guards follow closely.
Marco's expression is calm.
But when his eyes land on me, something dark flashes in them.
"You wanted to see me?" he asks Dante.
Dante leans casually against the desk.
"Yes."
Marco glances around the room.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," Dante says quietly.
Then he adds,
"Unless you'd like to explain why you've been selling my security information."
The temperature in the room drops instantly.
Marco doesn't react right away.
Then slowly… he smiles.
"So she told you."
My stomach twists.
"You should have killed her earlier," Marco continues calmly.
The guards shift uneasily.
Luca's hand moves closer to the gun at his side.
Dante's voice remains perfectly steady.
"Why?"
Marco shrugs.
"Money."
"You had everything here."
"Not enough."
Dante studies him for a long moment.
"You betrayed me."
"Yes."
The word hangs in the air.
Cold.
Final.
Marco glances at me again.
"She heard everything, didn't she?"
I don't answer.
Dante's voice drops lower.
"You were planning another attack."
Marco smirks.
"They're probably already on their way."
Luca swears under his breath.
Dante doesn't move.
But the calm in his voice becomes something darker.
"Take him outside."
Marco laughs.
"Going to shoot me?"
Dante steps forward slowly.
His eyes are colder than I've ever seen them.
"You helped people try to kill me."
Marco shrugs again.
"That's business."
Dante stops directly in front of him.
"No."
His voice is quiet.
Deadly.
"That's betrayal."
Before Marco can react, Dante grabs him by the collar and slams him against the wall.
The movement is so fast it makes me gasp.
Marco struggles, but Dante holds him easily.
"You built your life under my protection," Dante says coldly.
"And you thought you could destroy me?"
Marco spits blood onto the floor.
"You're not untouchable."
Dante leans closer.
"Watch me."
He releases him suddenly.
"Take him."
The guards drag Marco toward the door.
Marco laughs again.
"You think killing me will stop them?"
Dante's eyes flick toward me briefly.
Then back to Marco.
"No."
His voice is ice.
"But it will send a message."
The door closes behind them.
The room falls silent again.
My hands are shaking slightly.
I look at Dante.
"You're really going to kill him."
"Yes."
The answer is simple.
Certain.
And suddenly I understand something terrifying.
The man I'm starting to trust…
is also capable of unimaginable violence.
Dante turns toward me slowly.
"You did the right thing."
My voice feels small.
"I was scared."
"You should be."
He steps closer.
"But you still warned me."
I swallow.
"What happens now?"
His eyes darken slightly.
"Now?"
His voice drops into a quiet promise.
"Now anyone who threatens you… disappears."
My breath catches.
Because the way he says it…
isn't a threat.
It's a guarantee.