Rowan’s mind worked quickly, weighing his options. He didn’t know who Dante’s employer was, but it was clear that this man was more than just a hired gun. He was part of something bigger, something that could threaten everything Rowan had built.
But Rowan wasn’t the kind of man to back down. He had fought too hard, sacrificed too much to let anyone dictate his fate.
“You’ve made your pitch,” Rowan said, his voice cold and calculated. “Now here’s mine. Go back to your employer and tell him that if he wants a war, I’ll give him one. But if he thinks he can scare me into submission, he’s sorely mistaken.”
Dante’s expression darkened. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Falcone.”
Rowan took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. “And I always play to win.”
For a moment, the two men stared each other down, the tension between them crackling like electricity. Then, without another word, Dante turned and got back into his car. The engine roared to life, and the vehicle sped away into the night, leaving Rowan, Ryle, and Harvey standing in the deserted street.
“Who the hell was that.. Boss?” Ryle asked, his voice full of suspicion.
“Trouble,” Rowan replied, his gaze fixed on the spot where Dante had disappeared. “Big trouble.”
Harvey shook his head, his expression grim. “What now, big brother?”
Rowan’s mind was already working on a plan, the wheels turning at a rapid pace. Whoever Dante’s employer was, he had just made a grave mistake. Rowan Falcone wasn’t someone who could be threatened or manipulated. If they wanted a fight, they would get one.. but it would be on Rowan’s terms and conditions…
“We need to find out who Dante is working for,” Rowan said, his voice hard. “And we need to do it fast. If they’re making moves, we have to stay ahead of them.”
Ryle nodded. “I’ll put out some feelers, see what I can dig up.”
“Good,” Rowan replied, his mind already moving on to the next steps. “And keep an eye on Luca. He might lead us to something useful.”
As they got back into the car, the weight of the situation settled over them like a dark cloud.
As they drove back into the heart of the city, Rowan’s thoughts turned to the future.
Because in the end, power wasn’t given-it was taken. And Rowan had no intention of letting anyone take what was his.
It was already late evening by the time Rowan reached beach.
The soft sounds of waves mingled with the faint strains of music from the reception party. The once-bustling celebration had dwindled, with most of the guests having already departed. There were only few people who remained, his eyes immediately scanned the surroundings and found Amara.
She was dancing with Vaughn, her movements graceful and unburdened, her face lit with a rare, genuine smile as she twirled her son around. The sight of her, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, stirred something deep within Rowan. His heart felt a strange sense of belonging, an emotion he was accustomed to, especially when it came to ONLY HER. But then his gaze shifted to Vaughn, and the emotions within him became more tangled, more complicated.
A possessiveness surged through him, darker and more intense than he cared to admit.
Rowan’s footsteps crunched against the sand as he moved towards them, his eyes locked on Amara. He didn’t care about the consequences; he just knew he needed to be near her, to be with her.
Amara’s back was to him as he approached, lost in the rhythm of the music and the joy of her son’s laughter. When Rowan finally reached her, he didn’t ask; he simply extended his hand, his intention clear. She hesitated for just a moment, but before she could refuse, he had already pulled her into his arms and spun her around. Their bodies moved together in a fluid dance, and for a moment, it felt like the world had fallen away, leaving only the two of them on the beach, under the moonlight..
“Should you not at least wait for my answer?” Amara asked, her voice sharp, cutting through the intoxicating closeness.
Rowan’s grip on her waist tightened as he looked down into her eyes, his own gaze dark and unyielding. “Would you say yes if I waited?” he asked, his voice low, a challenge hidden beneath the words.
Amara shook her head, her expression a mixture of defiance and something more vulnerable. Rowan’s lips curved into a smirk, though there was no humor in it. “Then why should I bother to ask?” he murmured, his breath brushing against her cheek.
Vaughn’s delighted voice broke through the tension, clapping his hands together as he watched them. “Mommy! Uncle! You look good together!” he exclaimed, his innocent enthusiasm to the storm brewing between the two adults.
Rowan and Amara continued to move, their bodies locked in a tense, almost predatory dance. Vaughn, oblivious to the undercurrents, took out his phone and eagerly snapped a picture of them. The flash of the camera captured a moment that, to anyone else, might have seemed beautiful, even romantic. But for Amara, it was a little suffocating.
As they swayed to the music, Amara couldn’t stop the thoughts racing through her mind. She hated this man.. this man who had torn through her life like a storm, leaving destruction in his wake. She hated the way he could make her feel so powerless, so lost, even as she stood defiant against him. Every time she looked into his eyes, she saw the man who had taken everything from her, and yet… he was the man who haunted her dreams, who consumed her thoughts.
Her hatred was a fire that burned deep within her, and yet she couldn’t deny the pull he had over her. It was as if he had embedded himself into her very soul, and no matter how much she resisted, she couldn’t escape him.