Bound by Shadows

Dante~

The car sliced through the night, the engine purring like a beast barely restrained.

Valentina lay unconscious in the back seat, her head resting against the smooth leather. Her dark lashes fanned over her pale cheeks, her body limp from the sedative.

I watched her through the rearview mirror, my fingers tapping against my knee.

She looked delicate like this. Breakable.

But I had felt her fight.

She wasn't as fragile as she seemed.

I smirked, leaning back against the seat as the city lights faded behind us, replaced by the winding roads leading to my estate.

My men sat in silence, knowing better than to speak. Tonight had been a message. The De Luca empire was finished. And Valentina? She was the final piece.

My trophy.

My leverage.

My future queen.

She stirred slightly as the drugs began wearing off, a soft sound slipping past her lips. My gaze flicked to her again.

She would wake soon. And then the real fun would begin.

———————————————————————————

Valentina~

The first thing I felt was pain.

A dull, throbbing ache pulsed through my head, my limbs heavy, my throat dry. Something was wrong.

The last thing I remembered was the ballroom. My father's tense expression. Gunshots.

Then—him.

A strong grip. A whispered promise. A sharp sting in my skin.

My eyes snapped open.

Darkness.

The soft hum of an engine. The rich scent of leather and something else—something distinctly masculine.

Panic slammed into me.

I tried to move, but my wrists were heavy. My body sluggish. Drugged.

A low chuckle sent chills down my spine.

"Finally awake."

The voice was deep, smooth, filled with amusement. And I knew exactly who it belonged to.

Dante Ricci.

I turned my head sharply, my vision still blurry, but I could make out his silhouette. He sat relaxed in the seat across from me, one arm draped lazily over his knee, watching me like I was something he had already conquered.

My heart pounded.

"Where—" My voice cracked, my throat raw. "Where are we?"

His lips curled into a smirk. "Home."

Dread coiled in my stomach. Not my home. His.

I pushed myself up, the movement making my head spin. "Let me go."

He sighed, as if I had just said something amusing. "That's not how this works, princess."

My jaw clenched. "I'm not your princess."

His smirk deepened. "No," he agreed. "You're my queen."

The words sent ice through my veins.

I lunged, ignoring the dizziness, my fingers curling into fists. I wanted to hurt him. To wipe that smug expression off his face.

But before I even got close, his hand shot out, gripping my chin in a brutal hold.

The air in the car went still.

"You're still weak," he murmured, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. A caress. A warning. "But that fire? I like it."

I jerked my head away, my breath shaky. "You won't get away with this."

He chuckled. "I already have."

The car slowed, the tires crunching over gravel.

I turned my head, my stomach twisting as I saw where we were.

A mansion loomed ahead, bathed in soft golden light. Massive. Isolated. A fortress built for a king.

A prison built for me.

The doors opened before I could move. Strong hands gripped my arms, pulling me out into the cool night air. I fought, kicking and twisting, but it was useless.

Dante stepped out behind me, watching as his men dragged me forward.

I wasn't a guest.

I was his prisoner.

The realization made my blood run cold.

———————————————————————————

Dante~

She fought the whole way inside.

I let her.

Let her struggle, let her curse my name, let her throw every ounce of resistance she had at me.

She would learn.

The grand doors shut behind us with a heavy thud, sealing her fate.

Valentina stumbled as my men released her, her breath ragged. She turned, wild-eyed, taking in the lavish interior—the high ceilings, the dark marble floors, the towering bookshelves.

She looked at me next.

Pure hatred burned in those green eyes.

I smiled.

"Welcome home."

Her lips parted, a sharp retort on her tongue, but I didn't give her the chance. I stepped forward, too fast, too close, forcing her to tilt her head up to meet my gaze.

"You took me," she breathed, voice shaking.

I lifted a brow. "Observant."

Her nostrils flared. "Why?"

I brushed a strand of hair from her face, enjoying the way she trembled beneath my touch. "Because your father betrayed me. Because you're mine now."

Her breath hitched.

I didn't miss the way her pulse fluttered at her throat. Fear. Defiance. Something else she wasn't ready to admit.

"I will never belong to you," she hissed.

I smirked. "Oh, princess. You already do."

Before she could react, I turned, my voice calm as I issued my next command.

"Take her to her room."

Valentina jerked back. "Room? Try calling it what it is—a cell."

I grinned, enjoying this far too much. "You'll find no bars here, mia regina. But make no mistake... you're not leaving."

She opened her mouth to argue, but my men were already moving, guiding her down the grand hallway.

She struggled. I let her.

Because the fight was only just beginning.

And I always won.

To Be Continued...

*OH LAWD the way he calls her Queen is UGHH anyway I'll release more chapters soon XOXO 💋*