Welcome to the underworld where blood is law, loyalty is currency, and love? It's the deadliest sin of all. She was just trying to survive. He was born to rule. When a desperate young woman (Arianna Russo) takes a job at a mysterious nightclub to pay for her mother's hospital bills, she never expects to catch the eyes of the club's owner " a dangerously handsome mafia Don ( Matteo De Luca, with the underworld name as "Diavolo in II Giacca ) with eyes like ice and a touch that scorches. To him, she's an unexpected temptation. A weakness he can't afford. To her, he's a monster in a tailored suit-until she sees the man beneath the blood-stained crown. But in the world of crime, obsession can be fatal. She entered his world to save a life. Now she may have to destroy him to save her soul. Love was never part of the plan, but plans were made to be shattered. How would she navigate through the storm of passion and challenges that comes with getting involve in the mafia's world?
The dim light from the cracked window fell across Arianna's face, casting long, jagged shadow. the room was silent, save for the faint, irregular breath of mother, who lay unconscious in the bed beside her, every inhale sounded like it might be her last, and each time arianna 's gaze flicked toward her. she couldn't shake the sensation that time was running out
Her finger tightened around the prescription bottle in her hand. the pills inside were almost gone, and the money to refill them was now where to be found . Neither was the rent or the overdue bills.
Her phone buzzed on the table an anonymous number, she hesitated before unlocking it .
"job available tonight, Exclusive club. No questions asked, Dress appropriately".
Arianna 's stomach tightened ,she knew the kind of place the message hinted at the dangerous ,dark, a word she 'd never dared to enter .but there was no choice . her mother's illness had drained what little saving they had left. the weight of their circumstance pressed down on arianna's chest , a constant reminder that her life had become a series of compromises .tonight would be no different .
She glanced at her mother again Her heart heavy with the unspoken promises that she would do whatever it took.Even if it means selling whatever remained of her dignity.
The club was a universe away from the cold , grim apartment . as soon as arianna stepped through the heavy doors the noise hit her the low hum of laugher, the clinck of glasses ,and the sharp thrum of bass that seemed to shake they very air . the light were dim, but the red glow of neon seeped from every corner, casting the room in an eerie, seductive hue.
She followed the hostess through narrow corridors, her heels tapping against the sleek floors, in the dressing room, other women were already preparing, adjusting their outfits, applying makeup, rehearing their routines. Arianna kept to herself, drawing a deep breath as she unzipped the beg she came with and pulled out the dress, a figure-hugging number that barely covered more than the essentials. The fabric clung to her skin, too revealing, but it was the uniform here. And there was no room for hesitation.
The backstage area was a blur of flashing lights and muted voices, arianna's heart raced fasted as the music begun, the beat reverberating through the floor settling deep within her chest. She stopped onto the stage, each movement fluid, instinctual, a dance she didn't know she had within her. It wasn't provocative at least not in the way she feared. It was sensual, controlled, a show rhythm that felt more like a plea than an invitation.
And then she felt it.
A presence in the shadows, her pulse quickened, and her gaze darted to the edge of the stage, where he stood unseen by the others but not by her. His eyes were fixed on her, dark and intense, a magnetic force that seemed to pull her toward him even from the distance.
He was dressed in black, a silhouette against the dim glow of the club, his posture commanding, still, as though the room itself bent to his will. She couldn't tell who he was not from this distance but it didn't matter. The weight of his stare was enough to make her heart skip.
She kept dancing, focusing on the rhythm, but the sensation of his eyes on her never faded.
She knew he was watching, studying her with an intensity that unnerved her. And yet, there was something in the way he held her gaze that was almost...... possessive.
Arianna didn't know it yet, but this man the stranger in the shadows was the beginning of everything. Her world was about to shift in ways she couldn't imagine, and he was going to be the one to make sure she never had a chance to look back.
Chapter 1 THE ASHES AND RED LIGHT
26/04/2025
Chapter 2 The Devil's Eyes
26/04/2025
Chapter 3 A Deal With The Don
26/04/2025
Chapter 4 Strings Attached
26/04/2025
Chapter 5 The First Burn
26/04/2025
Chapter 6 Temptation in silk
26/04/2025
Chapter 7 The First Touch
26/04/2025
Chapter 8 Heart of a killer
26/04/2025
Chapter 9 Mine
26/04/2025
Chapter 10 The Blood Kiss
26/04/2025
Chapter 11 Power Games
28/04/2025
Chapter 12 The Deal
28/04/2025
Chapter 13 The Test
28/04/2025
Chapter 14 The Mask Slips
28/04/2025
Chapter 15 Secrets in Silk
07/05/2025
Chapter 16 Enemies in the Shadows
10/05/2025
Chapter 17 The Past Returns
10/05/2025
Chapter 18 War Games
16/05/2025
Chapter 19 Blood and Roses
16/05/2025
Chapter 20 The Choice
17/05/2025
Chapter 21 Gone but Not Forgotten
22/05/2025
Chapter 22 Return to Chaos
22/05/2025
Chapter 23 Bound by Fire
27/05/2025
Chapter 24 The Queen's Move
27/05/2025
Chapter 25 The Secret Betrayal
27/05/2025
Chapter 26 Death in the Family
28/05/2025
Chapter 27 The Ring
28/05/2025
Chapter 28 Torn Vows
29/05/2025
Chapter 29 The Poisoned Kiss
29/05/2025
Chapter 30 War Breaks Loose
30/05/2025
Chapter 31 The Inferno Within
06/06/2025
Chapter 32 The Spy in Their Bed
06/06/2025
Chapter 33 The Unspoken Goodbye
13/06/2025
Chapter 34 The Don's Descent
13/06/2025
Chapter 35 Caged Heart
13/06/2025
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