Chapter 1 The First Move

Ariana Steele sat at her desk, the soft hum of her computer the only sound in the otherwise quiet office. The city's skyline gleamed through the windows, the bright lights of New York stretching beyond her reach. She had worked hard to carve out this life-one of structure, control, and safety. After her father's violent death years ago, she had vowed to never get tangled in the dangerous world that had consumed him.

But no matter how hard she tried to outrun it, the past always found a way to reach her.

The phone on her desk buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. A glance at the screen showed a number she didn't recognize. Hesitating only for a moment, she answered.

"Ariana Steele," she said, her voice even but guarded.

"Ariana Steele, the financial analyst?" a smooth, calm voice asked on the other end. "I'm glad I've reached you."

Her instincts tightened. Something about the voice felt too smooth, too controlled, like it belonged to someone who knew exactly how to manipulate a conversation.

"Yes, this is Ariana," she replied cautiously. "Who's asking?"

The man on the other end paused. "I'd prefer to discuss this in person. Can you meet me tonight?"

Ariana frowned. She'd had enough experience in her career to recognize the tone of someone who wasn't offering a choice. "I don't meet strangers," she replied firmly, her eyes narrowing. "And I don't appreciate being called in the middle of my workday."

"Don't worry, Ms. Steele," the man continued, unfazed. "You'll want to meet. If you don't, well... let's just say the consequences for your brother could be... unpleasant."

Her heart skipped a beat. The mention of her brother, Lucas, was enough to pull her to the edge of panic. Lucas was all she had left of her family. After her father's death, he became her world. And yet, no matter how carefully she'd shielded him from their past, it seemed that the shadows of her family's connections had finally caught up with them both.

A chill ran down her spine. "What do you want?"

"I want you to help with a little financial transaction, something you're well-versed in. I'll explain the details when we meet. I'm at the Blackstone Hotel. Room 1215. Don't keep me waiting, Ms. Steele."

The call ended abruptly. Ariana stared at the phone in her hand, her thoughts spinning. She had no idea who this man was or what he wanted from her. But she knew one thing: she couldn't risk Lucas's safety. She had to go.

Later that night, the Blackstone Hotel stood tall and imposing in the heart of Manhattan, a symbol of wealth and power. The lobby was busy, filled with businesspeople and well-dressed elites, but Ariana couldn't shake the feeling that something darker lurked just beneath the surface. The glass doors seemed to close behind her with an almost ominous finality as she walked inside.

She made her way to the elevator, her palms damp with anxiety, and pressed the button for the top floor. The elevator ascended slowly, as if taking its time to allow her thoughts to race. Who was this man? What could he want from her? And what did he mean by 'unpleasant consequences'?

When the elevator doors opened on the twelfth floor, Ariana stepped out into a hallway that felt too quiet. There were no other guests in sight, no sounds of life or laughter. Just the faint hum of the building's air conditioning.

Room 1215.

Her breath caught as she reached for the door, her hand hovering above the handle for a moment. Then, with a steadying breath, she knocked.

The door opened almost immediately. Standing in the doorway was a man in a tailored suit, dark hair perfectly styled, his features sharp and striking. There was something about his presence-something dangerous-that immediately put her on edge.

"You must be Ariana Steele," he said, his voice low and smooth. His eyes, dark and unreadable, scanned her briefly before meeting her gaze. "I'm Dante Rossi."

Her heart stuttered. The name hit her like a punch to the gut. Rossi. The Rossi family. The mafia family her father had been tied to before his death.

"I... I didn't expect..." Her words faltered as she tried to steady herself.

"No one ever does," Dante said, his lips curling into the slightest of smiles. "But you're here, and that's what matters."