Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: Ties That Bind

Bianca paced the length of her penthouse apartment, the sound of her heels clicking sharply against the polished wood floor. Her mind raced, and the weight of the situation pressed down on her like an iron vise. Tonight had been meant to be a simple recon mission, a chance to get closer to Salvatore, to understand the depths of his empire, but things had taken a sharp turn into dangerous territory. She stopped by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out over the glittering skyline. The city sprawled before her like a labyrinth of opportunities and risks, each street a potential minefield. Her breath fogged the glass as she leaned her forehead against it, trying to steady herself. Lorenzo had warned her about Salvatore—about the danger that lay in dealing with him—but there had been something more in the way Salvatore had looked at her tonight. Something that unsettled her deeply. The flicker of his smile, cold and calculated, lingered in her mind. He hadn't given anything away, but his eyes—they had spoken volumes. He wasn't someone who would easily be fooled. The game she was playing was dangerous, and there was no turning back now. She was too far in, and she knew that if she slipped even the slightest bit, she could lose everything. The sound of her phone buzzing on the coffee table startled her, breaking the silence of her thoughts. She quickly crossed the room to answer it, a brief flash of hope that it might be Lorenzo. But when she saw the name on the screen, her stomach sank. It was Salvatore. Taking a steadying breath, she answered the call, bringing the phone to her ear. "Ms. Rossi," his voice came through, smooth and composed as ever. "I trust you made it home safely." Bianca's grip tightened around the phone. She wasn't sure if his question was genuine or just a way to gauge her reactions. "Of course," she replied, keeping her tone neutral. "I'm fine." "Good," he said, his voice never changing. "I wanted to thank you for a pleasant conversation tonight. You're not like most people who come to my club. You have… a certain fire. I can appreciate that." Bianca could feel the edges of his words curling around her, a mix of compliment and challenge. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how unsettled she was. "I appreciate the opportunity," she said evenly, knowing full well that he was just toying with her. "I'm sure we'll be able to help each other." There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, she thought he had hung up. But then he spoke again, his voice low and dangerous. "Let me be clear, Ms. Rossi," he said, his tone shifting. "I don't do business with people who can't prove their worth. This little game you're playing—if you think you're going to walk out of this unscathed, you're mistaken. Trust doesn't come easily with me. So, you need to decide, right now, whether you're in this for the long haul." Bianca's heart skipped a beat. She knew the implications of his words—he wasn't just offering an opportunity, he was setting the terms. And they were terms she couldn't afford to ignore. If she backed out now, everything she had worked for would be for nothing. "I'm in this," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the tension twisting in her gut. "I'm not backing out." A soft chuckle came from the other side, and she could hear the satisfaction in his voice. "Good. I like a woman who knows what she wants." He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice dropped lower, as if sharing a secret. "I'll have someone contact you soon. We'll see what you're really made of." Before she could respond, the line went dead. Bianca stood frozen for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling heavily on her shoulders. She hadn't imagined how ruthless Salvatore could be up close, and now she was caught in the web he was weaving. The stakes had escalated, and there was no easy way out. Her phone buzzed again, snapping her out of her thoughts. This time, it was Lorenzo's name on the screen. She didn't hesitate before answering. "Bianca," Lorenzo's voice was calm, almost too calm, and the undercurrent of something unspoken lingered in the words. "How did it go with Salvatore?" Bianca hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "He's as dangerous as you said he would be," she said slowly, walking back to the window and looking out again at the city below. "But he's also… intrigued by me. He didn't take the bait fully, but I could see that he's testing me." There was a long pause on the other end, and when Lorenzo spoke again, his voice was colder. "I knew he would. He's not one to let anyone into his circle without knowing exactly what they're after. But don't let him play you, Bianca. You're in too deep now. There's no turning back." "I'm aware of that," she said, her voice firm. "But what exactly do you expect me to do? I can't just walk away now." "I didn't say to walk away," Lorenzo replied, his tone almost amused. "I'm saying you need to stay ahead of him. Salvatore thinks he's the one in control, but you need to make him think that you're the one pulling the strings." Bianca bit her lip, feeling the weight of his words. She had already begun this dance, but now it was clear that Lorenzo's expectations were far greater than she had imagined. She had to outmaneuver Salvatore—not just match his moves, but anticipate them. "And how exactly do you propose I do that?" she asked, the tension creeping into her voice despite her attempts to remain calm. "Meet him again. But this time, be more than just a woman looking for information. Be someone who's in control. Make him want to trust you." Bianca's mind raced as she processed Lorenzo's instructions. Salvatore had made it clear that trust was not something easily earned in his world, and she wasn't sure how much further she could push without risking it all. "I'll do what I can," she said finally, her tone resolute. Lorenzo didn't say anything for a moment, but she could hear the approval in his silence. "I knew you would. Just remember—Salvatore isn't the only one who plays games. You're just as capable, Bianca." The line went dead again, and Bianca was left standing in the dim light of her apartment, staring out at the city. She was caught in a game she hadn't fully understood when she started, and now she was playing against people who had been in this world far longer than she had. But one thing was clear—she was in it now, whether she wanted to be or not. The next move was hers to make, and she needed to be ready for whatever came next. She had to make Salvatore think she was as dangerous as he was. Only then could she gain his trust—and use it to her advantage.