15. A Brewing Storm
A Brewing Storm
Dante
She’s staying.
The words won’t stop rattling inside my head.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
I storm down the hallway, my steps heavy with frustration. Nichole’s presence in this house is already shifting things in ways I didn’t anticipate. She was supposed to lean on us, not move in with us. Now she’s inside our world—inside our walls.
And that makes her a liability.
I don’t bother knocking when I reach my father’s office. I push the door open, stepping inside. Antonio looks up from his desk, his dark eyes impassive, but I don’t care.
“She’s staying,” I say flatly.
Antonio leans back in his chair, studying me. “Yes.”
I narrow my eyes. “That wasn’t the plan.”
I exhale sharply, my jaw tightening. “She was supposed to be scared, not comfortable. Now she’s here, under our roof, treating this place like she belongs in it.”
Antonio folds his hands together on the desk. “And?”
I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. “You don’t see the problem?”
“She is safe,” he says smoothly. “That was always the goal.”
I scoff. “Bullshit.” I step forward, bracing my hands on the edge of his desk. “She was supposed to go home, not settle in.” I lower my voice. “And now we have an even bigger problem.”
Antonio says nothing, just watches me with that same unreadable expression.
I straighten, jaw clenched. “LaCampanella.”
Antonio exhales slowly, but I see the flicker of something dark in his gaze.
I push on. “How the hell did he know?” My voice drops into something colder. “How did he find Valentina?”
Antonio leans back again, his fingers tapping lightly against his glass. “You’re sure there was no prior connection?”
I shake my head. “I checked. Twice. He had no reason to rescue her. No ties to her.” I pace once, dragging a hand through my hair. “Yet somehow, he knew. He got there before we even realized she was gone.”
Antonio exhales through his nose. “Tell me exactly what the informant said.”
I grit my teeth. “The homeless guy across from the warehouse said men in black moved in without a sound. Silent. Precise. I’m sure the two men went down before they even reached for their weapons.” I meet my father’s gaze. “That wasn’t luck. That was preparation.”
Antonio’s expression doesn’t shift, but I see the tension in his posture.
I let the silence stretch before speaking again. “I don’t like this,” I admit. “He’s too close.”
Antonio picks up his glass and takes a slow sip. “Then it’s time to shift strategy.”
I watch him carefully. “What are you suggesting?”
He sets the glass down, tilting his head slightly. “Nichole came to us out of fear.” He pauses. “But we need to get her to trust us.”
A cold sensation creeps up my spine.
I shake my head. “We don’t even know her. Yes, she is my older sister, but she knows nothing about our life. Letting her get too close is a mistake.”
Antonio’s eyes darken. “Then you better get used to it.”
I stare at him, my fists curling. “And LaCampanella?”
Antonio doesn’t hesitate. “We’ll deal with him when the time comes.”
I scoff. “You really think he’s just going to let this go?”
Antonio smirks. “No.” His voice lowers. “That’s why we make sure he can get close enough to Nichole to tell her our involvement.”
A slow, sinking sensation pools in my stomach.
Antonio leans forward, his voice steady and controlled. “I’m not going to lose my only daughter because of you or Damian. She cannot find out the truth. Ever.”
I hold his gaze, the warning clear.
I don’t say anything.
I storm out of my father’s office, the door clicking shut behind me with a finality that only fuels the fire burning in my chest.
My fists clench at my sides as I move down the dimly lit hallway, each step heavier than the last.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
Nichole should have been nothing more than a passing inconvenience—a problem that solved itself the moment she realized she didn’t belong here. Instead, she’s settling in, making herself comfortable, weaving her way into my world like she has a goddamn right to it.
She doesn’t.
She doesn’t deserve the name she barely even knew until a few days ago. She doesn’t deserve my father’s time, his attention—his loyalty.
Not when I spent my entire life proving that I was the only one worthy of it.
I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair.
I was supposed to be the only heir.
Antonio has been grooming me for this since I could walk, shaping me into the leader this family needs. I fought for it. Bled for it. Proved my loyalty over and over again. And now, suddenly, a long-lost daughter appears, and everything I built is on the line?
My jaw tightens.
It doesn’t matter that she’s a woman.
It doesn’t matter that she doesn’t know this life.
If she wants it—if she even hints at wanting a place in this empire—Antonio won’t hesitate to hand it to her.
And that?
That’s something I can’t let happen.
I slow my pace, the realization settling like ice in my veins.
She’s a threat.
A problem that needs to be handled before it spirals out of control.
I spent my entire life preparing for this role.
I won’t let some half-stranger take it from me.
I start walking again, slower this time, my mind already shifting gears.
If I can come up with a way to get rid of her…
Antonio may be too blind to see it, but I’m not.
The only question is how.
I need to force Nichole to leave before she ever gets the chance to solidify her place here.
I smirk.
What’s the old saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer…
It’s time to start playing offense.
I head toward my room, my smirk settling into something sharper, more deliberate. If I want to take Nichole out of the equation, I need to be smart about it. Rushing this would be a mistake. If anything happens to her too soon, Antonio will rip the city apart looking for someone to blame.
But if she were to leave on her own…
Now that would be something.
The trick is making her believe it’s her choice.
If she starts to feel unsafe here, if she begins to question her place in this family—she’ll leave without me having to lift a finger.
And the best way to accomplish that? Get close to her.
Nichole barely knows anything about this world, and that makes her vulnerable. I can use that. I will use that.
So starting today, I’ll play the role of the protective younger brother. I’ll listen when she speaks, offer her advice when she hesitates. I’ll be the one she turns to when she starts to feel out of place.
And then?
I’ll make sure she never feels like she belongs here.
A well-timed conversation. A carefully placed doubt. Small things at first—just enough to plant the seed.
And once she starts questioning whether she truly fits in, I’ll be there to water it.
The moment she decides this life isn’t for her, the moment she packs her bags and walks out those gates—I win.
I exhale slowly, my smirk widening as I head back to Nichole’s room.
It’s time to set things in motion.
I don’t wait until morning to start planting the seeds. I need to start now.
Standing outside Nichole’s door, I change my expression into something softer—not too forced, just enough to seem sincere. If I want her to trust me, I can’t push too hard. Not yet.
I rap my knuckles against the door, waiting only a few seconds before I hear movement inside. When she finally opens it, she looks surprised, cautious even.
Good. She should be.
But I give her a disarming smile, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Hey.”
Nichole hesitates, her fingers gripping the edge of the door. “Hey?”
I exhale like this is something difficult for me—like I actually give a damn. “Look, I just… I wanted to clear the air.” I keep my tone measured, smooth. “I know I might’ve come off the wrong way earlier. That wasn’t my intention.”
She studies me, clearly trying to gauge whether or not I mean it. Smart.
I shake my head, letting out a small chuckle, as if I’m frustrated with myself. “I guess I’m just not used to all of this yet, you know?” I glance away briefly before meeting her eyes again. “Having a sister. Having… you here.”
That gets her attention.
Her grip on the door loosens slightly. “Oh.”
I shrug, shifting my weight against the frame. “It’s a lot to take in. I don’t want you thinking I have a problem with you or that I don’t want you here.” I tilt my head, my voice dipping just enough to sound genuine. “That’s not it at all.”
Her lips part slightly like she wasn’t expecting that. Good.
“I actually think it’s kind of…” I pause, letting the moment stretch, before giving her a small smirk. “Nice. Having someone else around. Someone to get to know.”
She blinks, and I can almost see the gears turning in her head. She wants to believe me. She’s considering it.
I press a little further. Not too much—just enough.
“I guess I just never expected this, you know?” I let out a breath, running a hand through my hair like I’m just as thrown off by all of this as she is. “But now that you’re here, I’d rather not spend our time at each other’s throats.”
Her shoulders relax slightly. The tension she held when she first opened the door has lessened, just as I intended.
She nods, her voice softer now. “Yeah… me too.”
I give her another easy smile, stepping back slightly. “Good. Then let’s try this again.” I extend my hand, keeping my gaze locked with hers. “I’m Dante. Your brother.”
For a second, she just stares at me.
Then, hesitantly, she reaches out, placing her hand in mine.
The moment she does, I grip it firmly, a slow smile tugging at my lips.
Hook, line, and sinker.
I release her hand before stepping back, giving her space. “See you in the morning, sis.”
I turn before she can respond, heading down the hall with a satisfied smirk.
Tonight, she’ll lay awake thinking about our conversation. Wondering if maybe—just maybe—she can trust me.
And that’s exactly what I want.
By the time I make it to breakfast, I already know I have her right where I want her.
Nichole is seated at the long dining table, a cup of coffee in her hands, staring at nothing in particular. She’s lost in thought—probably still thinking about last night.
Good.
Antonio sits at the head of the table, unreadable as usual. I take my usual seat across from Nichole, offering her a lazy smile as I pick up my coffee.
She hesitates before nodding back.
There it is. The shift. It’s subtle, but it’s there. She’s more open now, less guarded.
Antonio watches me, his expression impassive, but I can tell he’s paying attention. Let him. He may not realize it yet, but I’m ensuring my place at his side—one way or another.
I take a sip of my coffee before glancing at Nichole. “So, got any big plans today?”
She looks up, blinking as if pulled from her thoughts. “Uh… not really.”
I lean back slightly, keeping my tone casual. “You should take advantage of it. The estate has a lot more to offer than just endless hallways.”
She gives a small laugh, shaking her head. “Yeah, I’ve noticed.”
I smirk. “There’s a shooting range out back. Ever held a gun before?”
Antonio’s fork clinks against his plate as he lifts his gaze toward her, waiting for her answer.
Nichole shifts slightly in her seat. “No. I mean, I’ve never had a reason to.”
Antonio nods approvingly, but I tilt my head, intrigued. “Never too late to learn,” I remark. “Might come in handy, you know, being part of this family and all.”
Antonio gives me a warning look, but I ignore it, keeping my gaze locked on Nichole.
She doesn’t flinch. Instead, she takes another sip of her coffee, meeting my eyes with a level expression. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Huh. She’s adapting faster than I expected.
I push my plate forward, standing up. “Well, if you change your mind, let me know. I’d be happy to show you.”
Antonio is watching us carefully, no doubt wondering what the hell I’m up to. But he doesn’t say anything.
I flash Nichole another easygoing smirk before heading toward the door.
Step two? Complete.
The opportunity presents itself sooner than expected.
I find Nichole outside on one of the balconies, leaning against the railing, staring out at the sprawling estate below. The wind tugs at her hair, the evening sun casting a warm glow over her skin. She looks peaceful.
I almost feel bad for what I’m about to do.
Almost.
I step beside her, resting my hands on the railing. “Not bad, huh?”
She startles slightly, but when she sees it’s me, she relaxes. “It’s… overwhelming, honestly.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, it can be. You’ll get used to it.” I tilt my head, watching her. “If you give it a chance.”
She exhales slowly, her gaze drifting over the landscape. “It’s just a lot to take in. A week ago, I had a completely different life. Now I’m here.”
I nod, pretending to understand. “That’s why you need a break.”
She turns to me, raising a brow. “A break?”
I smirk. “Yeah. I was thinking—we should get out of here for a bit. Just the two of us.”
She hesitates. “Out where?”
I shrug, keeping my tone casual. “Anywhere but here. Maybe grab a drink, check out a place or two.” I turn to face her fully. “Come on. You’re my sister now. We should spend some time together.”
Her eyes flicker with something unreadable, but she doesn’t immediately say no.
I take that as progress.
“I don’t know…” she trails off.
I lean in slightly, lowering my voice. “Look, I get it. This place can be suffocating. And I know you don’t fully trust me yet.” I give her an easy grin. “But trust me, I know all the best spots in town. You’ll have fun.”
She studies me for a long moment, clearly weighing her options.
Then, finally, she exhales. “Alright. But just for a little while.”
I grin. “That’s all I need.”
Hook, line, and sinker.