Chapter 1 - The Kiss Behind the Mansion Doors Was Only the Beginning of the Secret Dante Had Been Hiding From Bianca
“What? You finally kissed the woman you’ve been pretending not to stare at for almost a year.”
Bianca's mouth fell open.
Dante closed his eyes.
“Carmela.”
His aunt smiled.
“I was beginning to think I'd have to arrange an accident.”
Bianca stared between them.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“No,” Carmela said cheerfully. “But it should explain the family.”
Dante sighed.
“Go back to the west wing.”
“I was heading there until I saw this.”
Carmela pointed at the two of them.
“Now I'm staying.”
Bianca folded her arms.
“I have questions.”
Dante looked at her.
“Ask.”
“Why was someone watching my flower shop?”
“I don't know yet.”
“Why did you lock me inside?”
“Because until I know who sent them, I don't know whether you're safe.”
“Why did you kiss me?”
Dante went silent.
Carmela raised an eyebrow.
“I'm interested in that answer too.”
Dante looked at Bianca.
“Because I wanted to.”
“That isn't enough.”
“No.”
“Then tell me why.”
He stepped closer.
“Because I have wanted to kiss you since the third Thursday you delivered white roses.”
Bianca blinked.
“The third Thursday?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you?”
“Because you worked for yourself and I was your client.”
“That never stopped rich men before.”
“It stopped me.”
She studied him.
For the first time, his expression wasn't controlled.
There was no calculating calm.
No polished billionaire.
Just a man who had wanted something for nearly a year and finally lost control long enough to take the first step.
Bianca looked away.
Her cheeks burned.
Carmela cleared her throat.
“I'll leave you two to finish making this awkward.”
She walked away.
Bianca waited until she disappeared.
“Your family is strange.”
“You haven't met the rest.”
“I'm not sure I want to.”
“You do.”
“Why?”
“Because if you're going to stay under my roof tonight, you deserve to know who you're staying with.”
Bianca looked at him.
“I'm staying because you think I'm in danger.”
“Yes.”
“Not because of the kiss.”
His mouth almost curved.
“The kiss is irrelevant.”
“Liar.”
“Yes.”
She laughed despite herself.
Then Dante's phone rang.
His expression changed when he saw the number.
“It's Marcus.”
He answered.
“What?”
Marcus was Dante's head of security.
Bianca heard only one side.
“Say that again.”
Silence.
“Where?”
Another pause.
“Don't touch anything.”
Dante ended the call.
Bianca's stomach tightened.
“What happened?”
“Your van.”
“What about it?”
“They found something.”
He led her to the security room.
Three monitors showed footage of Petal & Pine.
Bianca watched herself earlier that morning.
Walking into the shop.
Unlocking the doors.
Carrying flowers.
Then a man appeared across the street.
Dark jacket.
Cap low over his face.
He stood outside for fourteen minutes.
Then another man joined him.
Bianca stared.
“I don't know them.”
Dante nodded.
“Neither do I.”
The footage switched.
A close-up.
One man removed his gloves.
A tattoo showed at his wrist.
A black rose.
Dante's expression hardened.
Bianca noticed.
“You know that symbol.”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“A warning.”
“To whom?”
“To me.”
He looked at her.
“The Black Rose.”
Bianca swallowed.
“What does that mean?”
“It means someone has been planning this for a while.”
She crossed her arms.
“Why?”
Dante didn't answer.
“Dante.”
He turned away.
“Because of me.”
“That doesn't answer the question.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“The first time you came to the house, someone noticed you.”
“Who?”
“One of my rivals.”
“Why would anyone care about a florist?”
“They wouldn't.”
He stepped closer.
“They care because I care.”
Her heartbeat quickened.
“You said that earlier.”
“Yes.”
“And now?”
“Now I'm telling you what it means.”
Dante touched the side of her face.
“It means if they can't hurt me, they'll hurt you.”
Bianca's throat tightened.
“That's not fair.”
“No.”
“Then send me home.”
“I can't.”
“You said you wanted to protect me.”
“I do.”
“Then let me go somewhere safe.”
He shook his head.
“You don't understand.”
“What don't I understand?”
“There's nowhere outside this house I trust.”
She stared at him.
“That sounds unhealthy.”
“It is.”
He stepped closer.
“And tonight, you're not leaving.”
Bianca's pulse raced.
“Because you're afraid?”
“Yes.”
“Of what?”
He looked at her.
“Of being too late.”
Silence settled between them.
Then Bianca asked:
“Where am I supposed to sleep?”
Dante's eyes softened.
“The west guest suite.”
“Not your room?”
His expression changed.
“No.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Good answer.”
“I'd like to keep you.”
Her heart jumped.
“Dante.”
“I mean alive.”
She smiled despite herself.
“You are terrible at choosing words.”
“I'm better at everything else.”
“Debatable.”
The door opened.
Marcus entered.
“Boss.”
Dante turned.
“What?”
Marcus held up a photograph.
“We found this in the driver's seat of Bianca's van.”
Bianca looked.
Her face went pale.
It was a photo of her.
Taken inside her bedroom.
Dante's jaw tightened.
“When?”
Marcus answered:
“Last night.”
Bianca stepped backward.
Someone had been inside her apartment.
While she slept.
Dante took the photograph.
His eyes became cold.
“Move her belongings here.”
Bianca stared.
“What?”
“Everything.”
“Dante—”
“You're not sleeping in that apartment again.”
“That's not your decision.”
“No.”
He looked at the photograph.
“It's mine.”
She crossed her arms.
“Do you always control everything?”
“Yes.”
“That's going to be a problem.”
“I know.”
He looked at her.
“I'll try.”
That answer surprised her.
He had not argued.
Had not ordered.
He had simply admitted the flaw.
Bianca took a breath.
“Fine.”
Dante nodded.
“Fine.”
She followed him toward the guest wing.
As they walked, Bianca noticed a hallway she'd never seen before.
At the end stood a black wooden door.
It had no handle.
Only a silver plaque.
B. BENNETT.
Bianca stopped.
“Dante.”
He turned.
“What?”
She pointed.
“Why is my name on that door?”
For the first time that night, genuine fear appeared in his eyes.
“Don't go near it.”
“Why?”
He stepped in front of the door.
“Because it has been locked for twenty-three years.”
“By whom?”
He stared at her.
“My father.”
Bianca looked at the door again.
“Why would your dead father have a room with my name on it?”
Dante didn't answer.
And that was when Bianca realized the men outside her flower shop were not the biggest mystery in the mansion.
May you like
She was.
---
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