The Devil's Stare

The evening skyline of New York City glittered like a sea of diamonds against the inky blackness of the night. From the top floor of Blackwood Enterprises, Dante Blackwood stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the bustling city below. His office was a fortress of glass and steel, a reflection of his power and unyielding control over everything in his life. But tonight, his thoughts were elsewhere.

A soft knock at the door drew him from his reverie. Without turning, he gave a curt nod. The door opened silently, and in stepped Elena Martell, his trusted advisor. Her sharp green eyes took in the sight of him, sensing the tension in his posture.

“Everything is in place for tonight,” she said, her voice smooth and confident.

Dante finally turned, his icy blue eyes locking onto hers. “Good,” he replied, his voice a low rumble. “Make sure there are no mistakes. I want everything to go perfectly.”

Elena tilted her head slightly, studying him. “This woman... Seraphina Hayes... she’s not like the others, is she?”

Dante’s gaze hardened. “She’s different.”

Elena knew better than to press further. She’d seen Dante fixate on things before, but this was different. There was an intensity in his eyes that she hadn’t seen in a long time. It was dangerous, even for a man like him.

Across town, Seraphina Hayes was wrapping up a long day at the office. Her desk was cluttered with case files, and the warm glow of her desk lamp cast a soft light on her tired features. She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she stared at the latest case that had landed on her desk—an urgent request from one of the city’s most prominent clients.

Blackwood Enterprises.

The name sent a shiver down her spine. Everyone in the corporate world knew of Dante Blackwood. He was powerful, enigmatic, and rumored to have ties to some of the city’s most dangerous circles. But to Seraphina, he was just another client, albeit a very high-profile one.

She glanced at the clock. It was late, but she needed to prepare for the meeting the next day. The firm had been struggling financially, and landing Blackwood Enterprises as a client could be the break they needed. Still, something about this deal didn’t sit right with her. There was an unease she couldn’t shake.

As she packed up her things, her phone buzzed. It was a message from her younger sister, Gabby.

Gabby: Don’t work too late! Dinner this weekend? I miss you.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Seraphina’s lips. Gabby was always the light in her life, reminding her to step back and enjoy the little things. She quickly typed out a reply.

Seraphina: I miss you too. Dinner sounds perfect. I’ll call you tomorrow.

With that, she slipped her phone into her bag and headed out of the office. The city was quieter now, the streets less crowded as she made her way home. The chill in the air made her wrap her coat tighter around her, but it wasn’t enough to dispel the lingering unease.

Dante watched from the shadows as Seraphina exited her office building. He’d been waiting for this moment, carefully orchestrating their paths to cross. His heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and a dark, possessive need that he hadn’t felt in years. As she walked past, completely unaware of his presence, a slow smile spread across his lips.

She was beautiful, more so than he’d imagined. But it wasn’t just her looks that drew him in—it was the innocence in her eyes, the way she carried herself with quiet strength. She was everything he wasn’t, and that only made him want her more.

Dante knew he could take her right then, have his men bring her to him, but that wasn’t his style. He preferred the game, the slow, calculated moves that would bring her to him willingly—or so she would think.

As Seraphina disappeared into the night, Dante turned to Vince Moretti, who had been silently standing by.

“Make sure she gets home safely,” Dante ordered, his voice cold and commanding. “But keep your distance. She’s mine, and no one else is to touch her.”

Vince nodded, his expression unreadable. “Understood, boss.”

Dante watched as his most trusted man followed Seraphina at a discreet distance. For now, he would let her believe she was in control. But soon, she would learn that her life was no longer her own.

Dante Blackwood had set his sights on her, and nothing would stand in his way.

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