A Dance with Danger

Chapter fifty-eight

**Estelle POV** 

The moment the silence in the room shifts, I can feel the change in Tiberius. It’s subtle at first—just the faintest tension that spreads across his shoulders, the way his fingers freeze on the keyboard for a split second. But then the phone rings. His phone. A quick, sharp buzz that cuts through the quiet. 

Tiberius grabs it without hesitation, swiping the screen with swift, practiced motions. I watch him closely, noting the way his entire posture changes when he answers. His shoulders straighten, his jaw tightens just a little, and his eyes flicker with something darker, something I can’t quite place. 

Inessa, who had been humming softly as she cleaned up, looks up at Tiberius, then at me. I meet her gaze, and I see the same curiosity reflected in her eyes. 

Tiberius’s voice, though, remains calm, smooth, as though he’s not rattled in the slightest. “Dante,” he says, and even the name sounds heavy coming from his lips. 

He listens for a moment, his gaze distant, as if his mind has already shifted somewhere far away. There’s a flicker of something in his eyes—a coldness, maybe even a hint of annoyance. 

“No, I understand,” he replies finally, his tone clipped but still controlled. “We’ll be there.” 

There’s a pause. The silence stretches on for just a second too long before Tiberius ends the call. He doesn’t immediately speak, but I can feel the weight of whatever conversation he just had pressing down on him. The room feels smaller now, the air thicker. 

Inessa looks at him with a raised brow, but it’s me who speaks first. “What was that about?” 

Tiberius doesn’t meet my gaze right away. He places the phone back on the counter, his fingers lingering for just a moment before he pulls them away, the coolness lingering in the air between us. 

He takes a deep breath, his body still slightly rigid, before he looks up at me, his expression now unreadable. “Dante Harper, one of my allies. He’s hosting a party tonight.” His voice drops a little lower, and the edge in his tone is sharper than before. “It’s mandatory. You and I both need to be there.” 

I blink, not fully processing his words at first. “A party?” I ask, trying to make sense of it. “Why?” 

He doesn’t answer immediately, his gaze flickering toward the window as if considering whether or not to say more. Finally, his lips curl into something that almost resembles a smirk. “It’s not just any party, Estelle. Dante’s parties are... well, they’re a little more than just social gatherings. They’re business. They’re meetings, alliances, power plays.” 

I’m not sure what he means by that, but the way he says it makes me uneasy. This isn’t the kind of party I’m used to. I’ve been to my fair share of gatherings where people pretend to get along, but I’m guessing this one won’t be like that. The tension in his voice, the coldness in his eyes—it tells me this is serious. 

“You sound like you’re not exactly thrilled about it,” I say, studying him closely. 

Tiberius exhales sharply, his gaze sharpening as he focuses on me. “I’d rather not go, but I don’t have much of a choice. Dante’s the kind of person who expects you to show up when he calls. His ‘mandatory’ means just that.” 

I don’t say anything right away. I can feel a knot forming in my stomach. Dante Harper isn’t someone I know well, but I’ve heard enough about him to understand that he’s not someone to cross. His reputation precedes him. 

Tiberius notices my hesitation, and his expression softens just a fraction. “Don’t worry,” he says, almost reassuringly, though the words don’t quite settle the unease gnawing at me. “It’ll be fine. We’ll just go, do our part, and leave. It’s a formality, nothing more.” 

But the way his jaw tightens when he says it doesn’t exactly make me believe that. He’s not convinced either. 

I stand up slowly, feeling the weight of the conversation pressing down on me. “And what exactly are we doing there?” 

Tiberius’s eyes flicker to mine, a trace of something flickering in his expression—maybe concern, maybe frustration. I’m not sure. He runs a hand through his hair, his fingers pausing at the back of his neck as he exhales. “It’s business, Estelle. Deals, alliances, discussions. I don’t know what exactly Dante has in mind, but whatever it is, we can’t afford to miss it.” 

“Great,” I mutter under my breath. “A party that’s really a power play. Just what I wanted tonight.” 

Tiberius’s lips quirk, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Not really your scene, huh?” 

“Not exactly,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “But I don’t get a say in the matter, do I?” 

He shakes his head slightly, his smirk vanishing as he focuses on me. “No. But you’ll be fine. Just stick close to me and let me handle the rest.” 

“I’m not some fragile little thing that needs babysitting,” I snap, though my words feel sharp even to me. 

Tiberius doesn’t flinch. “I know that. But I don’t want you caught off guard. You might not know the players as well as I do, and this isn’t a place to show weakness.” 

His words hit a little harder than he probably intended. I know he’s just trying to keep me safe, but something about the way he says it makes me feel like I’m being handed a role I didn’t sign up for. 

“I can handle myself,” I say again, more firmly this time. 

Tiberius meets my gaze for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he nods, as though he’s satisfied with my response. “I’m sure you can. But just remember, Estelle—this world doesn’t play fair.” 

I know that already. I’ve known it for as long as I can remember. 

“Fine,” I say, exhaling sharply. “When do we leave?” 

Tiberius glances at the clock on the wall. “In an hour. Get ready. You’ll need something... appropriate.” 

I nod, my mind already shifting toward what’s ahead. Whatever Dante has planned, it’s clear that it won’t be just another typical night. And as much as I wish I could ignore the storm brewing in the air, I know better. Tonight, everything changes.