Twisted Loyalty

Chapter 23: A Dangerous Proposal

Dante

The weight of the conversation with Luca still hangs in the air as I sit down next to Sienna on the couch. She's quiet, her eyes fixed on the phone lying on the table in front of us, but I can see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers twitch against her leg. She's still processing everything—everything her father said, everything that's changed. But I can't wait any longer. I've been thinking about this since the moment she called me for help.

Since the moment she put her trust in me.

The room feels heavy, the silence between us thick and charged, but I know what I need to say. I turn slightly, facing her, my eyes tracing the line of her profile before I finally break the quiet.

"Sienna," I start, my voice low, deliberate. Her gaze flicks to me, wide and questioning, but she doesn't speak. She's waiting.

"I've been thinking," I continue, leaning back against the couch, my fingers drumming lightly on the armrest. "About how to show everyone—your father, his men, the city—that you're not someone to be messed with. That you're not a pawn they can move around as they please."

Her brows knit together, confusion crossing her features. "What do you mean?"

I take a breath, leaning forward, closer to her. "We need to make a statement. Something that makes it clear you're not a child anymore. That you're untouchable." I pause, watching her reaction. "I think I know how to do that."

She stares at me, her eyes searching mine, but when I don't continue, she presses. "What are you talking about?"

I sit back slightly, my expression unwavering, though I can feel my heart rate picking up just a fraction. This isn't a small ask. It's a calculated risk, one that could change everything—for both of us.

"We get engaged."

Her eyes widen, and I can practically feel the shock radiating off her. "What?" she says, her voice just above a whisper, almost as if she's unsure she heard me right.

I hold up a hand before she can spiral further, keeping my tone calm, controlled. "Not a real one. A fake engagement."

She blinks, still staring at me as if I've lost my mind. "A fake engagement?"

I nod. "Think about it. If the entire city believes you're engaged to me, no one will touch you. No one will dare. You'll be untouchable. And more importantly, your father will be outraged. It'll send a message to him—and everyone else—that you're not his to control anymore."

She opens her mouth, but no words come out for a moment. It's like she's still trying to wrap her head around the idea. "You want me to... pretend to be engaged to you?"

I nod again, this time more slowly. "Yes. It's the perfect cover. No one would question it, and it gives you the protection you need."

Sienna lets out a breath, shaking her head slightly, still processing. "But... why would you do this? Why would you—"

"Because it's the only way to keep you safe," I cut in, my voice hardening just slightly. "Your father won't stop coming for you. His men won't stop trying to control you. But if you're with me, if everyone thinks you're mine..." I trail off, letting the weight of the words sink in. "No one would dare."

She looks away, her eyes drifting to the window as she takes it all in. I can see the thoughts racing through her mind, the uncertainty, the hesitation. But there's something else there too—something she hasn't fully acknowledged yet. A glimmer of relief. Safety.

Finally, she turns back to me, her voice soft but steady. "And this will work?"

I lean in closer, my voice low and firm. "I'm not just some guy, Sienna. People in this city know what I'm capable of. If they think you're engaged to me, you're untouchable. They'll know there's a price to pay for crossing you."