Chapter 3 Stuck in a maze

CHAPTER THREE

Alaric turned slowly, his dark brown eyes locking onto mine, sharp and unreadable. "Who are you?"

The voice in my earpiece buzzed urgently. "Tell him your name-Caroline Fisher."

"I..." My throat tightened as panic surged through me. The name Caroline Fisher hung on my lips like poison, a white lie "Caroline Fisher," I managed, forcing the words past my trembling lips.

Alaric took a slow, deliberate step toward me. His gaze narrowed. "Caroline Fisher?" he repeated as if testing the name on his tongue.

"You're from the Caruso Mafia," the voice whispered again into my ear.

I nodded faintly, my palms damp against the sides of my dress. "I'm... I'm from the Caruso Mafia," I said, my breath shallow.

Alaric stepped closer and turned me with a swift hand. His fingers curled under my chin, lifting it gently but firmly until I was forced to meet his eyes.

He studied me with unsettling focus. His touch sent shivers down my spine-not from attraction, but fear.

What if he saw through me? What if he relaxed that I was his wife under all this disguise?

"W-What do you want?" I asked, my voice quivering.

"I've never seen you at a summit before," Alaric said, his tone low and suspicious.

My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear myself speak. "I've... never been interested. Until now."

"Atta girl," the voice praised in my ear.

"Mr. Blackwood?" someone called from behind him-a man in a sharp black suit, looking impatient.

Alaric turned briefly, then gave the man a nod before returning his gaze to me. He held it there, unreadable, for a few more seconds before turning to walk away.

I stood frozen in the middle of the grand hall, light-headed and shaking. My thoughts swirled like a storm.

Alaric? In the mafia?

I couldn't wrap my head around it.

"Go to Dante," the voice ordered again.

I turned slightly. Dante stood alone now-Elena had left him. His tall frame was tense, the shadows of red chandeliers casting sharp angles over his face.

I whispered under my breath, "Why didn't you tell me Alaric was here?"

"His presence isn't crucial to our mission."

I blinked, still dazed. "Is he the boss here?"

"There are multiple mafia groups here, Katherine. This summit is a temporary alliance. Now, go to Dante and offer to dance."

My knees almost buckled. "W-What if he tries to hurt me?"

"If you don't wish to complete the mission, you can leave."

Relief flickered inside me. "I.... can leave?"

"Yes, Katherine Sinclair. But the moment you step out of this building... your mother dies."

I gasped, my world tilting beneath me. "I... I'll do it."

Each step toward Dante felt like walking a tightrope in high winds. When he turned to face me, my breath caught in my throat.

His expression was unreadable, carved from stone.

"Would... would you like to dance?" I asked, barely louder than a whisper.

"Speak with confidence, Katherine. Your mother's life is at stake," the voice urged.

I straightened my spine. "I would like to dance with you," I said, louder this time.

Dante barely looked at me. "Not interested."

I swallowed hard. For my mother.

I stepped closer, placing my trembling hands on his shoulders,. "Just one dance... Dante."

He turned, knocking my hands away like they were poison. "Touch me again, Ms..." He paused, eyes narrowing.

"Fisher," I said quickly. "Caroline Fisher."

He leaned in, his voice a low, dark threat. "Touch me one more time, Ms. Fisher, and you lose a finger."

He turned to leave.

I placed my hand against my chest, trying to calm myself. I looked up at Dante, and he was almost out of sight, so I chased after him. "Hey!"

He stepped into an elevator and hit the button, but I slipped in just before the doors closed.

"Ms. Fisher!" he snapped, slamming his palm against the elevator wall, glaring at me like a flame about to catch fire. "There are plenty of men here. Go find someone else to charm."

I took a shaky breath and moved closer, eyes locked on him. If he wasn't going to dance, then maybe seduction would work. "Yes... but I want you."

His gaze swept over me, slowly, dangerously. His jaw clenched as he stepped in, the heat of his body almost suffocating.

"Say that again," he growled.

"I..." The words stuck in my throat.

Before I could finish, his hand shot out, grabbing me. He spun me, pinning me against the wall, his face inches from mine.

"Good," the voice in my earpiece spoke again. "Reach into his right pocket. The key is there."

"You're playing with dangerous waters," Dante murmured into my ear.

I slid my hand down, fingers trembling as I tried to reach into his pocket.

But his reflexes were faster. His hand grabbed mine, slamming it above my head along with the other.

"Fuck," I breathed.

He smirked coldly. "Fuck?" he echoed, spinning me again and pressing closer. "You're a bold little thing, aren't you? But you wouldn't survive a night with me."

The elevator chimed. The doors opened.

Dante stepped back. "Get out," he growled, "Or you will regret it," he said, moving away from me.

I followed him, heels clicking behind him down the dim hallway lined with elegant doors.

Maybe I could pull this off; I was supposed to dance with him, but maybe seducing him might help me get what I want.

Suddenly, he stopped and spun around, his eyes dark, pulling out a gun and pointing it straight at me.

I froze, My heart racing "W-What are you doing?" I asked, raising both trembling hands in the air.

"Who sent you?" he asked, stepping closer, the gun now inches from my forehead.

My heart crashed against my ribs. "What?"

"Get out of there, Katherine," the voice in my ear said urgently.

Too late.

"We reviewed the CCTV. The key is with Alaric. Not Dante. Find him."

I almost laughed. Now they figured it out?

Dante pressed the gun harder against my head. "Are you trying to seduce me? Who's sent you?"

"No," I gasped, head shaking frantically.

"I've never seen you at a summit before," he said, cocking the gun. "You a rat?"

Tears pricked my eyes.

"Dante!" a deep voice barked.

We both turned to see Alaric standing down the hall, his eyes blazing.

Why was he here?

Alaric stormed down the hallway, his expression thunderous.

"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded.

"She's a mole," Dante snapped, not lowering the gun.

Alaric's eyes moved to mine, his eyes cold and daring.

I stepped back, cold fear clawing its way through me.

They'd figured me out.

What does the Mafia do to spies? Kill them? Am I going to die tonight, aren't I?