Chapter 2 - The Locked Door
Sophia didn't run. She walked directly toward Dante, flawlessly mimicking his exact slow, intimidating stride.
One of the towering security guards near the wall actually had to turn away to hide a genuine smile.
Dante looked down at the tiny, fearless girl standing in front of his polished shoes. He crouched slightly, his sharp masculine features entirely unreadable.
“Why are you walking like me?” Dante asked, his deep voice echoing in the silent marble hall.
Sophia didn't hesitate. She looked directly into the eyes of the most feared man in the city and answered immediately.
“Because you look lonely,” Sophia stated clearly. “You walk by yourself every day. So I walk too.”
For the first time in over a decade, Dante Falcone actually laughed.
The deep, rich sound echoed through the luxurious marble hallway. Every single servant and armed guard completely froze in sheer, unadulterated disbelief. Rosa stared at him, absolutely stunned.
Sophia grinned proudly, pulling a purple crayon from her dress pocket. “There.”
“There what?” Dante asked, a rare, warm smile softening his hardened face.
Sophia lifted both her small arms toward Dante, clearly asking the apex predator to pick her up. Dante stared at her, deeply moved. He slowly bent down, reaching his massive hands toward the little girl.
But just before his fingers brushed her lavender dress, Sophia suddenly looked past him.
Her bright smile completely vanished.
Dante noticed the shift immediately. His hands stopped inches from her. Sophia raised her tiny finger and pointed silently, directly at the heavy, locked mahogany door of the private sitting room beside them.
May you like
Dante’s expression instantly shifted from fatherly warmth to sudden, lethal uncertainty.
👉 Dante asked Sophia what was wrong, and her whispered answer instantly turned his blood to absolute ice.
