Chapter 2 The Devil's Eyes

From his glass walled booth above club rosso, matteo De Luca watched her again.

Night after night, she took to the stage like it was her battlefield no seduction, no pretense. Just movement, emotion, a storm in silk. She was fire wrapped in vulnerability, and it made his blood run hot.

He had seen a thousand dancers, bought a hundred more. But none had carved themselves like she was bleeding, and he wanted to know why.

"Get me her file", he told leo, his consigliere, without taking his eyes off her.

Leo didn't argue, within hours, Matteo had it all every broken piece of her life printed on cold paper.

No father listed, mother sick, no saving, multiple late rent notices also working three jobs before this, nothing criminal or suspicious. Just pure desperation wrapped in beauty.

"she doesn't belong in this world," Leo muttered.

Matteo disagreed.

"she belongs to me"

Arianna wiped sweat from her brow, legs sore from dancing and feet raw from cheap heels. The club was quieter now, the show over, the real business happening behind velvet doors. She didn't ask what the business was because she doesn't care to know about it.

But fate has another thing kept for her, when she passed the bar, she saw the new girl, Sofia, cornered by a drunk client. His hand gripped her arm, his words slurred and ugly.

The scene was uncomfortable for her that she didn't think twice before marching over, grabbed the man's wrist. "she shouted stopped" the man turned, eyes bloodshot. "who the hell are you?"

I'm someone who doesn't care how much money you spent tonight.

He sneered, raising his hand-

But was stopped by Metteo's presence

The room stilled

His hand wrapped around the drunk's wrist like a vice. "leave"

"but...."

Matteo stepped closer, his voice dropped an octave, dark and deadly. "before I decorate the floor with your blood and teeth."

The man stumbled back, muttering curses as he vanished into the night.

Arianna stared at matteo, stunned.

"you didn't have to do that-

I did," he cut in, eyed fixed on hers. You showed fire. I protect what's mine baby girl"

She blinked, "I'm not....."

He stepped closer, the smell of danger clung to him like expensive cologne. "yes that's true but soon you will arianna"

He turned, disappearing into the shadows like a ghost. But the heat he left behind clung to her skin.

Who is this man? How on earth did he know my name?

And high above the club, as the lights dimmed and the music died, Metteo De Luca made a silent promise that "she will be his"

Whether she accept it or not!!!

She is my woman.