A Rose Among Thorns

♡┆ A New Life

Maeve Rivera stood at the entrance of her new home, the weight of her suitcase in her hand, yet it felt like a thousand tons pressing against

The mansion was breathtaking, towering over her like an ancient castle. The

"Maeve, darling, welcome home," her mother's voice called out from the top of the grand staircase. She appeared,

Her mother, Julia, had married Dante Rinaldi only a few month

As she set her suitcase down, Maeve scanned the room. It was vast and empty, with nothing but s

A tall figure appeared at the top of the stairs. He was a little younger than Maeve had expected, probably in his early twenties, with jet-black hair and eyes like ice. His jaw was strong, his posture rigid, and his presence commanding. Luca Rinaldi, the heir to the empire Maeve had just entered.

"Maeve Rivera," he said with a tone that didn't seem to carry much interest, "Welcome to the family." His eyes flickered toward her suitcase but didn't hold her gaze for long. His voice was smooth, too smooth, like someone used to getting what they wanted without asking.

Maeve stood still for a moment, trying to read him, but Luca's face was unreadable. There was an aura of coldness about him—an aura that made her feel both exposed and invisible at the same time.

"Thank you," Maeve said, her voice betraying none of the unease twisting inside her. She set her suitcase down, then turned back to face her mother, who was still watching with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"You'll need to get settled in. We'll have dinner soon. Luca will show you to your room," Julia said before hurrying off, leaving Maeve with nothing but the hollow silence of the house and the piercing gaze of Luca.

"Follow me," Luca said flatly, turning on his heel and walking down the hallway.

Maeve hesitated for a moment but followed. As she passed him, she couldn't help but notice how effortlessly he moved, like a predator stalking its prey. It wasn't until they reached the staircase that Maeve realized the mansion wasn't just luxurious—it was intimidating, like it was designed to keep people out.

Luca led her upstairs and down a long corridor. He didn't say a word, and Maeve found herself studying his every step, wondering what kind of man he really was. She had heard rumors—rumors that Dante Rinaldi wasn't just a businessman but a ruthless crime lord, pulling the strings behind the scenes of the city's underworld. And now, here she was, trapped in his mansion, surrounded by shadows she couldn't yet understand.

He stopped at a door, pushing it open with a casual flick of his wrist. "This is your room," he said.

The room was nothing like Maeve had imagined. The bed was large and covered in deep red silk, the curtains dark and heavy, as though the sunlight was unwelcome here. It was beautiful, yes, but it felt more like a cell than a sanctuary.

"I'm sure you'll find it... comfortable," Luca said, his gaze flickering over her before he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.

Maeve stood there, her fingers brushing against the silky fabric of the bedspread. Her mind raced. Was this really her life now? A life surrounded by people who weren't who they seemed? A life under the control of a man who didn't care who she was—only what she represented.

The door to the room creaked open again, and Maeve spun around, her heart racing. It was Luca again, his eyes colder now, though his expression remained unchanged.

"Don't think for a second that you're safe here," he said, his voice lower this time. "You may be Dante's wife's daughter, but this is my world, and you'll learn your place quickly enough."

Maeve's breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, all she could do was stare at him, stunned by his bluntness. But as she met his icy gaze, a flicker of something—something dangerous—flashed in her chest. She wasn't going to let anyone, especially Luca Rinaldi, tell her who she was.

"Maybe," Maeve said slowly, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her, "but you'll learn that I'm not someone you can control so easily."

With that, she turned and walked to the window, looking out over the city below. It was dark, but she could already see the lights flickering in the distance. This new life had just begun, and Maeve wasn't going to let anyone steal her light—not even Luca Rinaldi.