********
Dante's POV
I've danced with countless women in rooms grander than this one. None of them ever made me forget where I was standing.
Aria did.
As she stepped away, her fingers slipping from mine, I felt something unfamiliar settle in my chest—quiet, heavy, undeniable. She wasn't impressed by my name. She wasn't dazzled by the room, the lights, or the reputation I carried like a tailored coat.
She looked at me like I was just… a man.
Dangerous.
I watched her move back toward the control desk, shoulders squared, composure restored. That's when I knew—I wasn't chasing a challenge or a mystery.
I was chasing her.
Julian, my friend or rival, well i don't know what he is appeared beside me, sipping his drink. "You look distracted."
"I am," I said calmly.
He followed my gaze and chuckled. "The quiet one? I didn't know you've changed your preference, Good luck. Women like that don't fall for charm."
I smiled, slow and thoughtful. "Then I'll stop trying to charm her."
That earned a raised eyebrow. " With your reputation, everyone one knows you are a womanizer."
Sh*t, for the first time in my life, I cursed thinking about the headlines and my shitty affairs published all over the media. Just hoping she doesn't judge me for my bad lifestyle.
Just Aria Vale—and the way she made the noise fade, she's what my boring life needs.
*********
Aria's POV
The final song faded into applause, crystal glasses chiming as guests began to leave. The ballroom slowly emptied, the magic dissolving into logistics and cleanup.
Mara approached me, exhaustion and pride written all over her face. "You were incredible tonight. Baby sis."
"I just handled the tech," I said.
She smiled knowingly. "You handled more than that. Honey."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't hide the warmth creeping into my cheeks.
Across the room, Dante caught my eye one last time. He didn't approach. Didn't interrupt. Just inclined his head slightly—respectful, restrained.
And somehow… that meant more.
As the last guest left and the chandeliers dimmed, I exhaled. The night was over. Finally,
Or so I thought.
*********
My flat welcomed me with silence.
I kicked off my shoes, dropped my clutch on the counter, and stood there for a moment—still wrapped in echoes of music, laughter, and a man who had unsettled me far more than I cared to admit.
I went to the bathroom to take a shower. I changed into my hoodie, wiped away the evening, and sat at my desk.
The screens flickered to life.
Normally, this was where my mind quieted.
Tonight, it didn't.
Dante's voice replayed in my head.
'Focus on me.'
'You shine, even when you're trying not to.'
I shook my head, annoyed at myself. "He's trouble, Aria." I murmured to the empty room. "Exactly the kind I avoid."
And yet…
I pulled up my logs without meaning to.
Moreau Enterprises.
Secure. Sophisticated. Familiar.
My fingers hovered over the keys.
I didn't breach anything. Didn't cross a line.
I just… looked.
Then I leaned back, staring at the ceiling, heart oddly restless.
For years, I had lived in control—of systems, of risk, of myself.
Tonight, someone had stepped too close.
And the most frightening part?
I wasn't sure I wanted him gone.
I didn't mean to dig deeper.
That was the lie I told myself as the lines of code scrolled faster, sharper, more familiar than they should have been.
Moreau Enterprises again.
At first, it was subtle—irregular pings, a delayed response time that didn't match the system's sophistication. Anyone else would've missed it. I didn't.
Someone was testing the perimeter.
Not sloppy. Not loud.
Patient.
My spine stiffened.
"This isn't curiosity," I whispered. "This is a setup."
I traced the signature carefully, heart steady but alert. The intrusion wasn't aimed at stealing money or data—not directly.
It was surveillance.
Someone wanted leverage.
And Dante Moreau was the target.
I closed the terminal abruptly.
No.
I shouldn't care.
I wouldn't care.
But my chest disagreed.
*********
Dante's POV
"Find her," I said calmly.
My head of security hesitated. "Sir, Aria Vale isn't exactly… accessible."
"I don't want her followed," I replied, firm. "I want her hired. Do whatever you can."
That got their attention.
Two days ago, I sent a formal request through Mara's company—clean, professional, no pressure. A cybersecurity consultation. Short-term.
An excuse. I needed her close.
If she said no, I'd respect it.
If she said yes…
I leaned back in my chair, watching the city stretch endlessly below.
Then my phone buzzed.
Unknown Contact:
'I'll take the meeting. Strictly professional.'
A smile tugged at my lips.
Progress.
*********
Aria's POV
I agreed because it was logical. At least that's what I thought.
That's what I told Lina as she stared at me from across the café table like she could see straight through my soul.
"You're meeting the same guy you danced with at the gala," she said slowly. "The one you couldn't stop thinking about."
"I wasn't thinking about him," I denied.
She raised an eyebrow.
"I was thinking about his security vulnerabilities. Ok, nothing more."
She snorted. " hmm, Romantic."
I stirred my drink rethinking, avoiding her gaze. "This is a mistake."
"Then why are you glowing?" she teased.
"I'm not glowing."
"You wore eyeliner."
I froze.
Lina smiled gently this time. "You're allowed to feel things, Aria. Just don't disappear into your head when it gets scary. If you feel uncomfortable with him, break it off, ok."
I didn't answer. She sighed.
Because pulling away was safer.
And I was very good at safe.
Yeah, I am.