บท 78: The Devil’s Dance
Viktor's smile sent a chill through me. He was too composed, too certain, as though this meeting had played out a hundred times in his head. I kept my expression neutral, even as every instinct screamed for me to run.
Matteo stood just behind me, a silent shadow of reassurance. His hand rested lightly near his concealed weapon, his sharp gaze scanning the room for threats. But in this moment, the true danger sat right in front of me.
I walked forward, careful to keep my movements measured. Viktor gestured to the seat across from him, and I slid into it with deliberate calm.
"You've been leaving me some rather troubling gifts," I said, folding my hands on the table.
His grin widened, but his eyes were ice. "Troubling? I thought you'd appreciate my attention."
"Attention?" I echoed, arching an eyebrow. "I'd call it stalking."
He chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Call it what you like. The truth is, you intrigue me, Elizabeth. A queen among wolves, but not untouchable."
Matteo shifted slightly, the movement imperceptible to anyone who didn't know him. I could feel his tension, his readiness to act if Viktor made the wrong move.
"You've gone to a lot of trouble to get my attention," I said. "So, tell me—what do you want?"
Viktor leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming idly on the table. "It's not about what I want. It's about what you have. Power. Influence. And Dante."
---
The Enemy's Motivation
His words were a cold blade slicing through the air between us. Viktor's vendetta was no longer just about revenge—it was personal.
"Dante has nothing to do with this," I said, keeping my voice steady.
Viktor's laugh was sharp and bitter. "You think I'm blind? Everything about you is tied to him. Your strength, your position, even your survival—it all comes back to him."
He leaned forward, his eyes glinting with malice. "But what happens when the foundation cracks? When the queen is left standing alone?"
Matteo's jaw tightened, but I raised a hand to stop him from interrupting. I needed to hear more.
"You're obsessed with tearing Dante down," I said. "But dragging me into this won't give you what you want."
Viktor smirked. "On the contrary, you're the key to it all. His Achilles' heel. You can deny it all you like, but I've seen it with my own eyes. The mighty Dante Stormborn would burn the world for you."
---
A Dangerous Offer
Viktor's demeanor shifted then, the air around him crackling with anticipation. "But I'm not unreasonable, Elizabeth. I'm offering you a way out."
"A way out?" I asked, my voice laced with skepticism.
"Leave him," Viktor said. "Walk away from Dante, from all of this. I'll disappear, and you'll never hear from me again."
I stared at him, incredulous. "You honestly think I'd believe you?"
His grin turned sharp, a predator's smile. "You're smart enough to recognize an opportunity when it's handed to you. Think about it. Dante's world is chaos, and you're caught in the crossfire. How much longer can you survive before something breaks?"
His words stung, but I refused to let him see it. "You underestimate me," I said, my voice steady.
Viktor's expression darkened. "Then you're a fool," he said, leaning closer. "And fools don't last long in this game."
---
A Calculated Risk
The tension in the room thickened, and I could feel Matteo bristling behind me. But I wasn't finished yet.
"You've made your point," I said, rising to my feet. "But if you think I'm going to betray Dante, you're more delusional than I thought."
Viktor stood as well, his towering presence menacing. "This isn't over, Elizabeth. You've been warned."
I met his gaze, unflinching. "No, Viktor. You've been warned."
Matteo stepped forward, his hand brushing my elbow as we left the bar. My pulse raced as we walked to the car, every nerve on edge.
---
Back at the Estate
The ride back to the estate was silent, the weight of the encounter settling over us like a shroud. Matteo's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, his anger barely contained.
"That was reckless," he said finally, his voice tight.
"It was necessary," I replied. "We needed to know his next move."
"And now he knows you're willing to confront him," Matteo said. "That makes you a target."
I glanced out the window, my mind churning. Viktor's words replayed in my head, a sinister echo I couldn't shake.
"I've been a target since the moment I met Dante," I said.
Matteo didn't respond, but his grip on the wheel tightened.
---
Dante's Wrath
When we returned, Dante was waiting in the study, his expression thunderous. He rose from his chair as we entered, his gaze narrowing when he saw the tension between us.
"Where the hell have you been?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
I took a breath, preparing myself for the storm. "I needed answers," I said.
Dante's eyes flicked to Matteo, who shifted uneasily. "And you let her go alone?"
"She wasn't alone," Matteo said. "But it was her decision."
Dante's fury turned back to me. "Do you have any idea what you've risked?"
"I know exactly what I've risked," I said, my voice firm. "But we needed to confront Viktor on our terms, not his."
Dante's jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists. "You should have told me."
"And you would have done what?" I shot back. "Gone after him with an army? Escalated this into a bloodbath?"
His silence was answer enough.
---
A Fragile Truce
Dante's anger simmered as he paced the room, his hands running through his hair. Finally, he stopped and turned to me, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and something deeper.
"You can't keep putting yourself in danger like this," he said, his voice softer now. "I can't lose you, Elizabeth."
I stepped closer, my hands resting on his chest. "And I can't stand by while someone threatens everything we've built. We're in this together, Dante. Always."
His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. For a moment, the weight of the world lifted, and it was just us.
But I knew the battle was far from over. Viktor wasn't done, and neither were we.
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