The mansion gates opened slowly.
Alessia noticed the sound first.
Metal grinding against metal.
Heavy.
Deliberate.
It was the sound of something that rarely moved.
The black car rolled forward across the long stone driveway, tires crunching against gravel as it approached the exit. Two vehicles followed behind them and another moved ahead.
An escort.
Of course.
Dante didn't take risks.
Alessia sat in the back seat, her hands resting calmly on her lap even though every nerve in her body felt sharp and alert. She stared out the window, memorizing everything.
The tall iron gates.
The guard towers on either side.
The men standing watch with rifles slung over their shoulders.
This place wasn't just a mansion.
It was a fortress.
The gates finally parted enough for the cars to pass through.
For the first time since the attack, Alessia left the property.
The city stretched ahead of them.
Real streets.
Real people.
Freedom.
Or something close enough to it that her chest tightened.
She could run.
Right now.
If she threw open the door at the right moment, she could disappear into the streets.
But she didn't move.
Not yet.
Because Dante was right about one thing.
If she ran without knowing the truth, she would be running blind.
And blind people died quickly in this world.
The car drove in silence for several minutes.
Dante sat beside her, calm as always, his posture relaxed as he watched the passing streets through the tinted window.
"You're thinking about escaping," he said finally.
Alessia didn't look at him.
"Everyone thinks about escaping," she replied.
"Most people don't calculate the timing of the traffic lights while doing it."
Her eyes flicked toward him briefly.
"So you've been watching me."
"I watch everything."
"That sounds exhausting."
"It's necessary."
The car slowed at an intersection.
Crowds moved across the crosswalk. A group of students laughed loudly as they pushed past each other. A woman hurried by carrying groceries.
Normal life.
So close.
Alessia's fingers tightened slightly.
"You let them think I'm dead," she said quietly.
"Yes."
"Then why bring me out here where anyone could see me?"
"No one here knows your face well enough," Dante replied. "And the people who do believe you're buried already."
"That's convenient."
"It's strategy."
The car moved again.
Soon the busy downtown streets faded behind them and the buildings grew larger, richer. High walls, private gates, security cameras.
The territory of powerful families.
Alessia recognized the area instantly.
"You brought me back here?" she asked.
"This is where the answers are."
The car stopped in front of a tall white building surrounded by a stone wall.
A club.
Not the kind that showed neon lights and loud music.
This one was quieter.
More exclusive.
The kind where powerful people made quiet deals behind closed doors.
Dante opened his door and stepped out.
The driver came around and opened Alessia's.
She hesitated only a second before stepping out.
The air outside was cool and carried the faint scent of rain. Two guards positioned themselves near the entrance, but they didn't move to stop them.
They already knew who Dante was.
Inside, the club was dimly lit and filled with low conversation. Expensive suits. Expensive dresses. People who pretended they weren't watching each other.
The moment Dante walked in, the room shifted.
Heads turned.
Conversations lowered.
Power recognized power.
Alessia walked beside him, aware of every pair of eyes that followed them.
A man approached them almost immediately.
He was tall and sharply dressed, his dark hair pulled back neatly. His expression carried the polite smile of someone who had spent years learning how to hide his real thoughts.
"Dante," he said smoothly.
"Victor."
Alessia recognized the name instantly.
Victor Salazar.
One of the most influential businessmen connected to several powerful families.
His gaze moved to her.
And paused.
Something flickered across his face.
Recognition.
But only for a split second.
Then the polite smile returned.
"You brought company tonight," Victor said.
Dante didn't respond.
Victor extended his hand toward Alessia.
"And who might this be?"
Alessia looked at his hand but didn't take it.
"Someone observing," she said calmly.
Victor's smile widened slightly.
"Interesting answer."
His eyes lingered on her longer than necessary.
Alessia felt it immediately.
He was studying her.
Trying to place her.
Trying to remember.
Dante stepped forward slightly, shifting the attention back onto himself.
"We're here for business," he said.
Victor chuckled softly.
"You're always here for business."
He gestured toward a private hallway.
"Come. We can talk somewhere quieter."
They followed him past the main room and into a private lounge.
The moment the door shut behind them, the atmosphere changed.
Victor's friendly smile faded.
"Why bring her here?" he asked bluntly.
Dante leaned casually against the table.
"Because she needs to see something."
Victor glanced between them.
"This is dangerous."
"Everything is."
Victor sighed and poured himself a drink.
"You're stirring things up again, Dante."
"Good."
Victor took a slow sip before setting the glass down.
"You're looking for the one who betrayed DeLuca," he said.
Alessia's heart skipped.
Victor noticed.
"So it's true," he continued quietly.
Dante didn't answer.
Victor's gaze moved to Alessia again.
"You look a lot like your father."
The room froze.
Alessia's pulse slammed in her chest.
Victor tilted his head slightly.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Dante's voice cut through the tension.
"Careful."
Victor smiled faintly.
"I'm not the one playing dangerous games."
He leaned back in his chair.
"You should know something," he said to Alessia.
Her eyes narrowed.
"What?"
Victor's expression darkened slightly.
"The night your father died, there were more people involved than Dante's men."
Silence filled the room.
Alessia's heart pounded.
"What do you mean?"
Victor looked at Dante.
"Have you told her yet?"
"No."
Victor exhaled slowly.
"You really enjoy dramatic reveals."
Dante didn't react.
Victor turned back to Alessia.
"The attack on your father's house wasn't just one family."
Her breath caught.
"What?"
"There were three."
The words felt like the floor disappearing beneath her feet.
Three families.
Three enemies.
Three possible traitors.
Victor watched her carefully.
"And one of them," he added quietly, "was invited."
The room fell completely silent.
Alessia felt the weight of those words settle deep inside her chest.
Invited.
Which meant betrayal.
Real betrayal.
Someone her father trusted enough to let inside.
Her mind raced through every name she knew.
Every ally.
Every partner.
Every friend.
Dante pushed himself away from the table.
"That's enough for tonight."
Victor smirked slightly.
"You always leave before the fun part."
"This isn't fun."
Victor shrugged.
"Speak for yourself."
As Dante moved toward the door, Victor's voice followed them.
"Be careful who you trust, Alessia."
She stopped.
Turned back.
Victor met her gaze calmly.
"Your father's enemies were obvious," he said.
"It was his friends you should have been watching."
Dante opened the door.
"Time to go."
Alessia walked out with him, her mind spinning.
Three families.
One invitation.
One traitor.
And somewhere in the middle of it all—
the truth.
Outside, the night air felt colder.
She looked at Dante.
"You already knew."
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell me."
"Not yet."
Her voice sharpened.
"You're still controlling the information."
"Yes."
Anger flared in her chest.
"You expect me to trust you?"
Dante looked at her calmly.
"No."
He opened the car door.
"I expect you to want revenge more."
Alessia stared at him for a moment.
Then she got into the car.
Because he was right about one thing.
The truth was closer now.
And she wasn't turning back.