The dimly lit room was alive with murmurs, the low hum of conversation occasionally interrupted by bursts of laughter. Smoke hung heavy in the air, curling from expensive cigars clutched by men who clearly believed themselves untouchable. Sofia Marquez adjusted the hem of her borrowed black dress, her fingers brushing against the thin strap. It felt too tight, too short—too much. She didn’t belong here.
“Relax,” her best friend Clara whispered, nudging her shoulder. “You look amazing. Stop fidgeting, or people will notice.”
People were already noticing. Sofia felt their stares—some curious, others calculating—as she shifted uncomfortably in her heels. She had no idea why Clara had dragged her to this underground poker game, but it was clear this wasn’t a room for tourists.
Sofia’s eyes flickered over the crowd, taking in the sharp suits, expensive watches, and subtle gestures of power. This wasn’t just a gathering—it was a showcase of status, a display of dominance. And Sofia? She was the outlier, the only one who didn’t seem to belong.
Then the door opened, and the room went still.
She walked in like a shadow cutting through light. Valeria Esposito. Sofia didn’t know her name yet, but she felt the weight of her presence before the woman even glanced her way. Valeria was taller than most of the men in the room, her black suit tailored so perfectly it seemed a second skin. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, the sharp angles of her face highlighted by the crimson lipstick she wore.
She moved with a quiet confidence that demanded attention. Conversations stopped as heads turned, but Valeria didn’t acknowledge a single one. Her gaze swept over the room, lingering on no one—until it landed on Sofia.
Sofia froze.
The woman’s dark eyes locked onto hers, holding them with a ferocity that made her stomach twist. It wasn’t just that Valeria was beautiful—she was, devastatingly so—but there was something else. Something dangerous.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Valeria’s lips as she began walking toward Sofia, her steps slow, deliberate. Sofia’s heart pounded with every click of her heeled boots against the floor.
Clara’s voice broke through Sofia’s panic. “Holy shit, she’s coming over here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Sofia whispered back, though her voice wavered.
But Clara was right. Valeria stopped just inches away, close enough that Sofia could smell her perfume—a mix of spice and something darker, like smoke on leather.
“What’s your name?” Valeria’s voice was low, smooth as velvet.
Sofia blinked, caught off guard by how close the other woman was. “S-Sofia,” she stammered, inwardly cursing her nerves.
Valeria tilted her head, studying her with an intensity that made Sofia’s skin heat. “Sofia,” she repeated, her voice wrapping around the name like a caress. “Not from around here, are you?”
Sofia shook her head. “No. Just… visiting.”
Valeria’s smirk deepened, a glint of amusement flashing in her eyes. “Visiting,” she murmured. “In a place like this? Either you’re braver than you look, or very, very foolish.”
Heat rose to Sofia’s cheeks, but she held Valeria’s gaze, refusing to back down. “Maybe I like taking risks.”
Valeria chuckled, the sound low and rich. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “Careful, Sofia. This isn’t the kind of place where risks pay off.”
The warning sent a shiver down Sofia’s spine, though she couldn’t tell if it was from fear or the intoxicating pull of Valeria’s presence. Before she could respond, Valeria straightened, her eyes flicking over Sofia one last time before she turned to leave.
“Stay out of trouble,” Valeria called over her shoulder, her voice carrying easily through the now-hushed room.
As soon as she disappeared into the crowd, Sofia exhaled, realizing she’d been holding her breath.
Clara grabbed her arm, her eyes wide. “What the hell was that?”
“I don’t know,” Sofia admitted, her heart still racing. “But I think I just met trouble.”
The rest of the night was a blur. Clara dragged Sofia to the bar for a drink, insisting they stay a little longer. Sofia agreed, though she barely touched her glass. Her mind kept replaying the encounter with Valeria—the way she’d looked at her, like she was something worth figuring out.
At some point, Sofia spotted Valeria again, seated at one of the poker tables. Her posture was relaxed, one arm draped over the back of her chair, but there was nothing casual about the way she dominated the game. Chips piled in front of her as she outplayed her opponents with ease, her expression unreadable save for the occasional flicker of amusement.
Sofia tried not to stare, but Valeria’s presence was magnetic. Even from across the room, she exuded power.
It wasn’t until later, when Sofia and Clara were getting ready to leave, that Valeria reappeared. She caught Sofia just as she was slipping on her coat, her approach as silent as a shadow.
“You’re leaving already?” Valeria’s voice was smooth, her eyes glinting with something Sofia couldn’t quite name.
Sofia turned, startled by her proximity. “I didn’t want to overstay my welcome.”
Valeria stepped closer, her hand brushing against Sofia’s arm. The touch was fleeting, but it sent a spark racing through her body.
“Smart,” Valeria murmured, her gaze dropping briefly to Sofia’s lips before meeting her eyes again. “But next time…” She paused, letting the words linger. “Don’t be so quick to run.”
Before Sofia could respond, Valeria was gone, disappearing into the night like a ghost.
As Sofia and Clara walked back to their car, Sofia’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Valeria Esposito wasn’t just another beautiful woman. She was something far more dangerous—and Sofia wasn’t sure if she was ready to find out how much trouble she was willing to get into.
