A Rose Among Thorns

ּ ֶָ֢. Underneath the Surface

Maeve barely slept that night. The encounter with Luca had shaken her more than she cared to admit. His words echoed in her mind, This isn't a game, Maeve. It's life or death. The more she thought about it, the more she realized just how true it was. She wasn't in a world of just high-society dinners and sparkling chandeliers—she was in the heart of a dangerous empire, surrounded by people who had nothing to lose.

The next morning, when Maeve wandered into the grand kitchen, the smell of fresh coffee and baked pastries filled the air. But the warmth and comfort of the kitchen couldn't mask the growing tension that clung to her like a second skin.

Her mother, Julia, was sitting at the island, sipping from a cup of coffee. "Good morning, Maeve. Sleep well?"

Maeve forced a smile, not wanting to reveal how uneasy she felt. "I slept fine, just... thinking," she said, grabbing a cup for herself. She wasn't going to tell her mother what she had uncovered. Julia seemed content with her life, content with Dante's version of their perfect little family. Maeve didn't want to shatter her illusions. Not yet.

Julia's eyes twinkled as she set her coffee down. "Well, I was thinking, maybe you'd like to join me and Dante for a meeting today. We're hosting some business partners—nothing too formal, just a little luncheon. You should get to know the people who are important to Dante's work."

Maeve hesitated, her fingers tightening around the handle of her mug. Business partners? Maeve wasn't sure she was ready to dive deeper into the world her stepfather was creating. But something in Julia's eyes—something almost too eager—told her that this invitation was more than just about making small talk.

"I'll think about it," Maeve replied, taking a sip of coffee to hide the uncertainty in her voice.

Julia beamed. "Good! You'll be the perfect addition to the Rinaldi family's 'business affairs.'"

The way Julia said "business affairs" made it sound so harmless, but Maeve knew better now. Her curiosity was gnawing at her, urging her to dig deeper. She had to understand the full scope of what was happening in this mansion, and more importantly, what role Luca played in it all.

As the day wore on, Maeve tried to avoid the looming presence of Luca. Every time she encountered him, she could feel the walls closing in, his cold gaze reminding her of the danger she was in. She wasn't like her mother—content to live in ignorance and bask in the luxury Dante provided. Maeve needed answers, and she was willing to risk whatever it took to get them.

The luncheon was held in one of the mansion's grand dining rooms, with a long table laid out with exquisite dishes. Maeve sat at the end of the table, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass as she observed the guests—businessmen in expensive suits, women in lavish dresses, and security personnel stationed at every corner. The atmosphere was stiff, the conversations laced with subtle power struggles. It wasn't a casual gathering; it was a display of control.

Dante sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding and confident as he exchanged pleasantries with his guests. Julia sat beside him, her smile bright, but there was an edge to her demeanor that Maeve couldn't ignore. She was a woman who had grown accustomed to her position in this world. Maeve wondered if her mother ever felt conflicted, or if she simply shut out the darker side of Dante's life.

And then there was Luca. He was seated across from Maeve, his sharp gaze constantly assessing everything in the room. He didn't speak much, but his eyes never left his father's business partners. Maeve couldn't shake the feeling that Luca was always calculating something, always two steps ahead of everyone around him. And for the first time, Maeve wondered if he was more involved in his father's world than she had realized.

As the conversation around her flowed, Maeve tried to focus on the meal in front of her, her thoughts still swirling with the documents she had discovered. But the tension in the room grew palpable as the door to the dining room opened and a new guest entered. He was tall, with dark hair and an aura of authority that could not be ignored. The room fell silent as the man walked toward Dante, his eyes scanning the table before landing on Maeve.

"Ah, Luca," Dante said, standing to greet the man. "I see you've finally arrived."

Luca stood up, his expression neutral as he nodded in greeting. "My apologies for the delay, Father. We had some unfinished business to attend to."

The man turned his gaze toward Maeve, his eyes narrowing as they studied her for a moment too long. Maeve felt an icy chill run through her veins, but she didn't flinch. She had learned long ago that maintaining composure in this world was key to survival.

"Maeve," Luca said, his voice smooth but laced with something darker, "I'd like you to meet my associate, Viktor Karpov. Viktor is an old friend of the family, and someone we do business with quite regularly."

Viktor Karpov. The name sent a shiver down Maeve's spine. She had heard of him before—whispers of his involvement with dangerous criminal networks and shady dealings. Viktor Karpov was not someone who could be ignored. He was powerful, ruthless, and a key player in the underworld that Dante and Luca had carefully cultivated.

Maeve forced a smile as Viktor extended his hand, his grip firm and unyielding. "It's a pleasure, Maeve," Viktor said, his voice smooth and calculated. "I've heard a lot about you."

Maeve shook his hand, her mind racing with the implications of his words. He's heard a lot about me. What exactly did that mean? Had Dante already been preparing her for some part in his empire without her knowing? Or was she simply a pawn in a larger game, one that she was only beginning to understand?

As the luncheon continued, Maeve sat back, her mind whirling with the tangled web she was becoming a part of. She had wanted to know the truth, but now that she had started to uncover it, she wasn't sure she could handle the weight of what lay ahead. She could feel the walls of the mansion closing in, and she had to admit to herself that Luca was right. This wasn't a game. It was life or death.

And Maeve had no intention of becoming a casualty.