The Dangerous Attraction.

chapter 7 : into the lions den

The moment Ethan stepped out of the car, a heavy sense of dread settled in his chest. The Lombardi mansion loomed before them, its sprawling architecture bathed in dim lights, casting long, eerie shadows across the grounds. The air was thick with tension, and Ethan could feel the weight of every stare as the Romano sisters led him toward the grand entrance. It was a dangerous game, and tonight, they were playing right in the enemy's den.Valentina hooked her arm through Ethan's, her grip tighter than usual, though her face remained calm, almost playful. "You're going to do fine," she whispered, offering a small smile. "Just stick with us, and everything will be okay."Ethan forced a smile in return, though his insides were churning. Isabella walked ahead of them, her posture rigid, her eyes scanning every corner of the mansion's grounds. Her black gown shimmered under the dim lights, her presence commanding. People parted as they approached, their whispers rising like a current. The Romano sisters were well-known here—and feared.As they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The grand ballroom was filled with people, the elite of the underworld—powerful figures dressed in their finest, mingling as if they weren't engaged in a decades-long war. Chandeliers sparkled above, casting a golden glow on the marble floors, while a string quartet played in the background, their music eerily calm amid the silent tension.Ethan felt completely out of place. He had never been in a room like this—surrounded by people who could easily have him killed with a single word. He stuck close to Valentina, trying to remain calm, even as his pulse raced.Dante was here. He could feel it.---Valentina led them toward the bar, her smile bright, though her eyes were sharp. She ordered a drink, leaning in close to Ethan. "We're being watched," she whispered. "Stay calm. Act natural."Ethan nodded, his mouth dry. He glanced around the room, trying to spot anyone who looked dangerous. But in a room like this, *everyone* looked dangerous.Isabella joined them, her expression cold and unreadable. "Dante's not here yet, but he will be soon," she said quietly, her gray eyes locking onto Ethan's. "When he arrives, don't look afraid. That's what he wants."Ethan swallowed hard, nodding again. He wasn't sure if he could pull this off. His heart was pounding in his chest, his hands trembling slightly as he took a sip of the drink Valentina handed him. The alcohol did little to calm his nerves."Relax, Ethan," Valentina said softly, her voice soothing. "You're with us. He won't touch you."But as she said the words, Ethan could feel the lie hidden beneath them. Dante was ruthless. He didn't play by the rules, and if he wanted to hurt Ethan to get to the Romano sisters, he would.---The night dragged on, and every passing minute felt like an eternity. Ethan did his best to act casual, smiling when necessary, nodding politely when introduced to people he barely recognized. But his mind was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by the looming threat of Dante.And then, he felt it—a shift in the air. The music seemed to grow quieter, and the conversations around him slowed. Ethan glanced toward the entrance, his heart skipping a beat.Dante had arrived.He walked into the room with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, dressed in a sharp black suit that made him look more like a predator than a guest. His dark hair was slicked back, his piercing blue eyes scanning the room, taking in every detail. He smiled, but there was nothing warm about it. It was a smile that promised danger.Ethan's stomach twisted as Dante's gaze landed on him.For a moment, everything seemed to freeze. The room, the music, the people—it all faded away as Dante's eyes bore into Ethan's. There was recognition there, and something else—something darker.Valentina tensed beside him, her fingers digging into his arm. "Stay calm," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "We've got this."But Ethan wasn't so sure. The look on Dante's face sent a shiver down his spine. It wasn't just interest or curiosity—it was the look of a predator who had just found its prey.---Dante made his way through the crowd, his smile never faltering. People parted for him, their gazes flicking nervously between him and the Romano sisters. It was clear that he commanded respect—and fear.When Dante reached them, he stopped, his eyes locking onto Ethan's once more. "Well, well," he said, his voice smooth and unsettling. "Look who decided to crash the party."Ethan swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel Valentina and Isabella tense beside him, their expressions unreadable.Dante turned his gaze to the sisters, his smile widening. "Is this your new toy?" he asked, his tone mocking. "You always did have a habit of picking up strays."Ethan's blood ran cold at the words, but he forced himself to stay calm. This was the moment Isabella had warned him about. He couldn't show fear. He couldn't let Dante see that he was rattled."Careful, Dante," Isabella said, her voice cool and controlled. "You're starting to sound jealous."Dante chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "Jealous? Of *him*?" He glanced back at Ethan, his eyes gleaming with malice. "No, sweetheart. I'm just... curious. What makes him so special?"Ethan's mouth was dry, and he fought to keep his composure. This was a test. Dante was probing, trying to find a weakness."He's with us," Valentina said, her voice firm. "That's all you need to know."Dante raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Is that so? Well, I hope he's worth the trouble, because you've just painted a target on his back."The threat hung in the air like a knife, and Ethan could feel his pulse quicken. He glanced at Valentina, who gave him a reassuring nod, but he knew this was far from over.Dante leaned in slightly, his gaze locking onto Ethan's once more. "Enjoy the party, kid. While you still can."With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ethan standing there, his heart pounding in his chest.Valentina let out a breath, her grip on Ethan's arm relaxing. "You did good," she whispered, though her voice was shaky.Ethan nodded, though he felt anything but victorious. The encounter had left him rattled, and he knew Dante wasn't done with him. Not by a long shot.As the night wore on, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that he had just stepped into something far more dangerous than he had realized. Dante wasn't just a threat—he was a predator, and Ethan was now his prey.And in a world like this, prey didn't survive for long.**To be continued...**