Crimson Ties

Chapter Two: A Deal With the 😈 Devil

The envelope lay on Lila’s kitchen counter, a sleek black invitation embossed with Nico Amato’s signature emblem—a coiled serpent. She stared at it as if it might bite. Two nights had passed since their encounter at the gallery, but the electricity still lingered in her veins, making it impossible to sleep, impossible to think of anything else. 

She knew better than to get involved. Men like Nico didn’t appear by chance—they arrived with purpose, and that purpose usually spelled trouble. Yet here she was, teetering on the edge of curiosity and desire, holding an invitation to his private estate like a key to a dangerous world she couldn’t resist. 

By the time she arrived at the Amato villa perched on the cliffs, dusk had fallen, draping the landscape in shades of indigo and gold. A pair of discreet guards at the gate gave her a once-over before nodding her through. Everything about the place exuded wealth and power, from the marble statues lining the driveway to the flickering lanterns that guided her toward the grand entrance. 

Nico met her at the door, a glass of wine in hand, wearing a midnight-blue suit that fit like a second skin. “I knew you’d come,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. 

“I almost didn’t,” Lila replied, tilting her head. “But I’m terrible at saying no to beautiful things.” 

His grin was slow, dangerous. “I was hoping you’d say that.” 

The evening unfolded like a dream—champagne, rare art, and whispered conversations beneath a canopy of stars. Lila watched Nico work the room, his every move calculated, every glance deliberate. It was as if the entire world bent to his will, and everyone present was playing a part in a game only he knew the rules to. 

But it wasn’t just the opulence that set her on edge—it was the undercurrent of tension, the way the guests seemed to weigh their words, the lingering glances exchanged behind crystal glasses. This was more than just a party. It was a gathering of people who knew how to keep secrets and bury bodies. 

At some point in the night, Nico found her by the balcony, the distant sound of waves crashing against the cliffs below. “Enjoying yourself?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face with the ease of a man who didn’t ask permission. 

“It’s... different,” Lila admitted, sipping her wine. “And I still can’t tell what you’re after.” 

Nico’s gaze darkened, the playful mask slipping for a brief moment. “What I want, Lila, is simple. I want you to trust me.” 

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Trust wasn’t something Lila gave lightly—especially not to men like Nico. Yet there was a strange sincerity in his eyes, a glimpse of something raw beneath the polished surface. 

“And what if I say no?” she asked, her pulse quickening. 

Nico smiled, a dangerous edge creeping into it. “Then you’ll never know what we could’ve had.” 

Before she could respond, a figure appeared behind him—a man with slicked-back hair and a subtle bulge beneath his jacket. He murmured something in Nico’s ear, and just like that, the spell between them shattered. 

“I need to take care of something,” Nico said, his expression hardening. “But stay. The night is still young.” 

Lila watched him disappear into the shadows, a knot forming in her chest. The line between desire and danger had never felt so thin. Every instinct screamed for her to leave, but something deeper—something reckless—kept her rooted to the spot. 

And then she saw it. Across the room, a flash of recognition passed between two men—both powerful, both dangerous. They exchanged a look that was brief but unmistakable. 

It was the look of people who knew more than they were saying. People who had something to hide. 

Lila felt a chill run down her spine. She wasn’t just a guest at Nico’s party. She was a pawn in a game far bigger than she realized. 

And the deeper she went, the harder it would be to find her way out.

......................

What is Nico hiding?!!🙄🙄🙄😀😀.
Am so curious right now that am imaging the next chapter in my mind.

I can't wait for the next chapter 🔥🔥🔥🤓
Hope you had a great day.
Tuesdays are always😤🤪🤪🤪😬😬🤢😹😹aaaah.