Chapter 3 - An Offer Wrapped in Steel
Sophia froze on the damp pavement, her fingers tightening around the strap of her canvas purse.
Every instinct she possessed shouted at her to turn around and run toward the bright lights of West Broadway.
"I have a subway to catch, Mr. Moretti," she said, keeping her chin lifted despite the fear drumming in her chest.
Dante didn't move an inch, his dark eyes locked on her face with quiet, terrifying patience.
"The subway is dangerous at this hour," he said softly, gesturing toward the plush leather interior of the vehicle.
"And we have business to discuss that shouldn't be whispered on a public train platform."
Enzo stepped out from the driver's side, holding the rear door open with polite, immovable precision.
Sophia realized that refusing Dante Moretti in a deserted alleyway was not an actual option on the table.
She swallowed hard and stepped into the leather cabin, the heavy door clicking shut behind her with absolute finality.
The interior smelled of expensive cedarwood, leather, and the subtle metallic tang of pure power.
Dante leaned back against the seat, studying her face as the SUV smoothly pulled away into Manhattan traffic.
"My mother slept for six hours straight after eating your pastina," Dante said, his voice flat and unreadable.
"She hasn't slept more than two hours a night since my father passed away three years ago."
Sophia looked at him cautiously. "I'm glad the food brought her some comfort."
"It wasn't just the food, Sophia," Dante replied, leaning slightly forward, his dark tattoos catching the streetlights.
"It was you. The dialect. The lemon peel. The way you looked at her like a human being instead of a legendary surname."
He pulled a thick manila folder from the side pocket and placed it on the seat between them.
"You owe fourteen thousand dollars in back rent and tuition for your younger brother at Hunter College."
Sophia’s face drained of color as she stared at the folder containing her entire private financial tragedy.
May you like
"You dug through my personal life in less than three hours?" she demanded, anger momentarily overriding her fear.
"I protect my family, Sophia," Dante said coldly. "And starting tomorrow, you are coming to work for mine."
