The car purred down the road, the city blurring into a mix of glass and shadow outside Emily's window. She sat stiffly, hands folded in her lap, pretending the leather seat didn't feel absurdly expensive under her.
Ethan drove like he owned the streets — one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually, his gaze steady and unhurried.
"Where are we going?" she asked finally.
He glanced at her, his mouth curling into that half-smile she was starting to recognize as dangerous. "Somewhere better than the quad."
Her heart thudded. "I have class tomorrow."
"It's barely six," he replied, voice calm but final. "I'll have you back before midnight."
Midnight? Emily opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. Something told her arguments wouldn't work on him.
They drove out of the busy campus district, the streets growing quieter, older. Small shops gave way to long stretches of dimly lit roads.
"Do you trust me yet, angel?" he asked suddenly.
She stared at him. "That's… a strange question."
"It's a simple one."
"I don't think trust works like that," she said carefully.
Ethan's smirk deepened, but he didn't press.
The car slowed, then stopped in front of a small Italian café tucked between two shuttered boutiques. The warm glow from inside spilled onto the sidewalk. It looked… out of place in this part of the city.
"Come on," he said, stepping out.
Inside, the café was almost empty. The man behind the counter lit up when he saw Ethan. "Monaco! It's been too long."
Emily froze at the name. Monaco. Her roommates' words came rushing back — dangerous, rich, powerful.
Ethan ordered in rapid Italian, not once looking at a menu, and within minutes, a table by the window was set with coffee and small pastries.
"You speak Italian?" she asked.
He met her gaze, eyes glinting. "I was born there."
Emily took a slow sip of coffee, trying to ignore how easily he fit here, how everyone seemed to know him.
"You're quiet," he said.
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
"If this is… safe," she admitted.
Ethan leaned forward, his voice low and deliberate. "Nothing about me is safe, Emily Harper. But maybe that's why you're here."
Her breath caught, but before she could reply, the café door opened — and two men in dark suits stepped inside, their eyes immediately finding Ethan.
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