Chapter 1 One.

Chapter 1: The Tower of Temptation

I stood at the base of the glass skyscraper, my heart hammering like a trapped bird against my ribs. The building loomed over downtown New York, its mirrored surface reflecting the chaos of the city—and my own nervous face. At twenty-two, fresh out of college with a degree in accounting and a mountain of student debt, I needed this job like I needed air. The ad had been cryptic: Personal Accountant for High-Profile Executive. Discretion required. Generous compensation. The salary listed had nearly made me choke on my instant ramen—enough to clear my loans in a year. So here I was, Lily Thompson, smoothing my thrift-store pencil skirt and clutching my resume like a shield, ready to storm the castle.

The lobby was a cathedral of marble and chrome, all sharp edges and cold opulence. My flats clicked too loudly on the polished floor as a stern-faced man in a black suit met me at the elevator. He didn’t introduce himself, just scanned me with eyes like security cameras and pressed the button for the penthouse. The ride up felt like an eternity, the numbers climbing past fifty, sixty, seventy. My stomach twisted. What kind of executive needed an accountant in a penthouse?

The doors slid open, revealing a hallway lined with abstract art and a faint scent of leather and cedar. The man led me to a massive oak door, pushed it open, and gestured me inside. “Mr. Moretti is waiting,” he said, his voice flat, before vanishing.

I stepped into an office that screamed power. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering Manhattan skyline, and a desk the size of a small car dominated the room. Behind it sat Dante Moretti, the billionaire CEO of Moretti Enterprises. I’d googled him last night—thirty-four, Italian, ruthlessly successful, with whispers of shady dealings I’d dismissed as tabloid trash. But seeing him in person? My breath caught. He was devastatingly handsome, with sharp cheekbones, dark hair swept back, and green eyes that pinned me like a butterfly to a board. His black suit fit him like a second skin, and a faint scar on his left cheek only made him more magnetic.

“Miss Thompson,” he said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through me. He didn’t stand, just leaned back in his leather chair, gesturing to the seat across from him. “Sit. Tell me why I should hire you.”

I swallowed, my throat dry as I perched on the edge of the chair, my resume crinkling in my sweaty hands. “Mr. Moretti, I graduated top of my class at NYU with a degree in accounting. I interned at a small firm in Brooklyn, where I managed client portfolios and caught a $50,000 discrepancy in—”

“Why accounting?” he interrupted, his gaze never leaving mine. It was unnerving, like he could see every secret I’d ever buried. “You’re young. You could’ve picked anything. Why numbers?”

I blinked, thrown off. “I... I like puzzles,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “Numbers don’t lie. They’re honest, even when people aren’t. I’m good at finding the truth in them.”

A smirk tugged at his lips, and I felt heat creep up my neck. Why did that smile feel like a test I was failing? “Honest,” he repeated, rolling the word like he was tasting it. “That’s rare. And dangerous, in my world.”

I frowned, unsure what he meant. “I’m also meticulous,” I pressed on, desperate to regain control. “I triple-check everything. During my internship, I streamlined their tax filing process, saving clients an average of—”

“You’re hired,” he cut in, leaning forward. His eyes glinted, sharp and predatory. “Start tomorrow. 8 a.m. sharp.”

My jaw dropped. “Just... just like that?” I stammered. “You don’t want to see my references or—”

“I’ve seen enough,” he said, his tone final. He stood, towering over the desk, and I realized how tall he was—easily over six feet, his presence filling the room like a storm cloud. “One more thing, Lily.” My name in his mouth sent a shiver down my spine. “Call me sir.”

I froze, my cheeks burning. “Thank you, Mr. Moretti—sir,” I corrected quickly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I won’t let you down.”

He didn’t respond, just watched me with that same unsettling intensity as I scrambled to my feet. I felt his eyes on me as I hurried out, my heart racing like I’d escaped a lion’s den. The elevator ride down was a blur, my mind replaying every word, every glance. Why had he hired me so fast? And why did “sir” feel like a promise of something dangerous?

---

The next morning, I arrived at 7:45, my stomach knotted tighter than my budget. The same stern man—still no name—escorted me to a sleek office one floor below the penthouse. It was mine, apparently, complete with a glass desk, a state-of-the-art computer, and a view that made my tiny Brooklyn apartment feel like a shoebox. A stack of files waited, labeled with cryptic codes instead of names. My job, per the note on top, was to “balance the ledgers and report anomalies to Mr. Moretti directly.”

I dove in, my accounting brain thrilled by the challenge. But something was off. The numbers were massive—millions moving through offshore accounts with vague descriptors like “Consulting” or “Miscellaneous.” One transfer, $10 million to an entity called “Viper Holdings,” had no corresponding invoices. My gut churned. This wasn’t normal.

By noon, my intercom buzzed. “Miss Thompson,” came Dante’s voice, smooth as whiskey. “My office. Now.”

I grabbed my notepad and hurried upstairs, my pulse spiking. His office door was ajar, and I found him leaning against his desk, a glass of amber liquid in his hand despite the hour. “Close the door,” he said, not looking up.

I obeyed, my fingers trembling. “Sir, I’ve started on the ledgers, but—”

“Questions already?” He raised an eyebrow, finally meeting my eyes. “You’re quick.”

“There’s a $10 million transfer to Viper Holdings,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “No documentation. Is that... normal?”

He set his glass down, his movements deliberate. “Discretion, Lily,” he said, stepping closer. Too close. I could smell his cologne—sandalwood and danger. “Some things don’t need questions. They need trust.”

I swallowed, my mouth dry. “I just want to do my job right, sir.”

He studied me, his gaze lingering on my lips, then my flushed cheeks. “You’re blushing,” he murmured, almost to himself. “Do I make you nervous, Lily?”

“No,” I lied, my voice cracking. “I’m just... thorough.”

His smirk returned, and he reached out, his fingers brushing my hand as he took my notepad. The contact sent a jolt through me, electric and wrong. “Thorough,” he echoed. “Good. I like that. Stay late tonight. We’ll review the files together.”

“Tonight?” I squeaked, my mind racing. It was already 1 p.m., and I had a bus to catch at 7.

“Problem?” His tone was a challenge, his eyes daring me to say no.

“No, sir,” I said, my heart pounding. “I’ll be here.”

He nodded, dismissing me with a flick of his hand. “Don’t disappoint me, Lily.”

---

The rest of the day was a blur of numbers and unease. The files grew stranger—accounts tied to shell companies, payments to names I couldn’t trace. By 8 p.m., the office was eerily quiet, the city lights sparkling beyond the windows. I was alone, or so I thought, until Dante’s voice came through the intercom. “My suite. Top floor. Bring the Viper file.”

His suite? My stomach flipped, but I grabbed the file and took the private elevator he’d mentioned. It opened into a dimly lit space—plush carpets, dark leather furniture, and a view that stole my breath. Dante stood by a bar, pouring whiskey. “Sit,” he said, gesturing to a couch. “Drink?”

“I don’t drink,” I said, clutching the file like a lifeline.

“Suit yourself.” He sat across from me, too close again, his knee brushing mine. “What did you find?”

I opened the file, my hands shaking. “The Viper transfer—it’s not just undocumented. It’s... it’s linked to a company that doesn’t exist. I checked the registry. It’s a ghost.”

His eyes darkened, but his lips twitched, like he was impressed. “You’re good, Lily,” he said, leaning closer. “Too good, maybe.” His fingers grazed my jaw, and I froze, my breath hitching. “You’re pure, aren’t you? Untouched.”

My face burned, my secret laid bare. “That’s... personal,” I whispered, unable to move.

He chuckled, low and dangerous. “Everything about you is my business now.” His hand lingered, his thumb tracing my lower lip. Then, abruptly, he stood. “Go home. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

I stumbled out, my mind a whirlwind. His touch, his words—they were a drug I didn’t understand. As I reached my apartment, exhausted and rattled, I found a note slipped under my door. Scrawled in red ink: Get out while you can. He’s using you.

My blood ran cold. Who knew I was here? And what did they know about Dante that I didn’t?

Chapter 2: Tangled in Shadows

I clutched the note in my trembling hand, the red ink glaring under the dim light of my apartment’s single bulb. Get out while you can. He’s using you. The words burned into my brain, each syllable a warning I couldn’t ignore. My heart raced as I locked the deadbolt, then checked it twice, the click echoing in my tiny Brooklyn studio. Who had left this? And what did they know about Dante Moretti that made my new job feel like a trap?

I barely slept, my mind replaying the day—Dante’s piercing green eyes, his thumb brushing my lip, the electric jolt of his touch. He’d called me pure, his voice dripping with something that felt like hunger. And those ledgers—millions funneled to ghost companies. I wasn’t an idiot; something was wrong at Moretti Enterprises. But the salary, the chance to erase my debt, and—God help me—the way Dante looked at me kept me from running. At least for now.

The next morning, I arrived at the skyscraper at 7:50, my eyes gritty from sleeplessness. The stern-faced man—still no name—met me in the lobby, his gaze lingering on my face. “Rough night, Miss Thompson?” he asked, his tone flat but his eyes sharp.

“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile as we rode the elevator to my office. He didn’t reply, just handed me a keycard for the private elevator to Dante’s suite. “For tonight,” he said before disappearing.

My desk was already piled with new files, each labeled with more cryptic codes: “Raven,” “Obsidian,” “Eclipse.” I dove in, my accounting brain kicking into gear despite the unease gnawing at me. The numbers were even messier today—transfers to offshore accounts in the Caymans, Dubai, places I’d only seen in movies. One entry caught my eye: $5 million to “Eclipse” with a memo reading “Delivery: 10/10.” Tomorrow. I scribbled it down, my pulse quickening. Delivery of what?

At noon, my intercom crackled. “Lily,” Dante’s voice purred, sending a shiver down my spine. “My office. Bring the Eclipse file.”

I grabbed the file and my notepad, my flats silent on the carpet as I took the private elevator. The doors opened to Dante’s office, but he wasn’t at his desk. Instead, he stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the Manhattan skyline. His black shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a sliver of tanned skin. He turned, his eyes locking onto mine, and I felt that same pull—dangerous, magnetic.

“Close the door,” he said, his voice low, like he was sharing a secret. I did, my hands unsteady. “What did you find?” he asked, stepping closer, his presence filling the room.

I opened the file, trying to focus. “The Eclipse account,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “Five million, transferred yesterday. The memo says ‘Delivery: 10/10.’ But there’s no invoice, no contract. It’s like the money vanished.”

He didn’t react, just watched me, his gaze intense. “You’re curious,” he said, not a question. “That’s dangerous, Lily.”

“I’m just doing my job, sir,” I said, my cheeks warming. Why did his stare make me feel so exposed? “If there’s a mistake, I need to know what I’m dealing with.”

He smirked, closing the distance between us. “What you’re dealing with,” he murmured, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face, “is me.” His touch was featherlight but burned like fire, and I froze, my breath catching. “You’re blushing again,” he said, his voice husky. “Do I scare you, Lily? Or is it something else?”

I swallowed, my mouth dry. “I’m not scared,” I lied, my voice barely a whisper. “I just... I don’t understand you.”

His laugh was low, almost predatory. “Good. Understanding me would ruin the fun.” He stepped back, breaking the spell, and gestured to the file. “The Eclipse transfer is fine. Focus on balancing the accounts. No more questions.”

“But—” I started, then stopped as his eyes darkened.

“Discretion, Lily,” he said, his tone final. “Or you won’t last here.”

I nodded, my heart pounding, and hurried back to my office. The rest of the day was a blur of numbers and dread. The note from last night haunted me—He’s using you—and Dante’s cryptic warnings only deepened my unease. What was I really doing here? And why did his touch make me want to lean in, not run?

By 7 p.m., the office was a ghost town, the city lights twinkling beyond my window. My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number: Check the basement. Truth is there. My stomach dropped. The basement? I didn’t even know how to get there. But the note, the accounts, Dante’s secrecy—it was too much to ignore.

I grabbed my keycard and slipped into the private elevator, my heart in my throat. The panel had a “B” button I hadn’t noticed before. I pressed it, the descent slow and creaking. The doors opened to a dim, concrete hallway, the air heavy with dampness and something metallic. I stepped out, my flats echoing in the silence. Rows of locked doors lined the corridor, each marked with a number. One door, slightly ajar, spilled faint light.

I crept closer, my breath shallow. Voices drifted from inside—low, urgent. “...the girl’s a problem,” a man said, his voice familiar but not Dante’s. “She’s digging too deep.”

“She’s nobody,” another voice snapped. “Moretti’s just playing with her. Like the others.”

My blood ran cold. Others? I peered through the crack, my heart hammering. Two men stood inside, one broad and stocky—Marco, Dante’s right-hand man, I realized with a jolt. The other was younger, blond, in a flashy suit. He laughed, a cruel sound. “He’s soft on her. We take her, he breaks.”

Marco nodded, his scowl deepening. “Tomorrow. The delivery. We move then.”

I backed away, my pulse roaring in my ears. Delivery. Eclipse. Tomorrow. My foot caught on a pipe, and I stumbled, a soft clatter echoing. The voices stopped. “What was that?” Marco growled.

Panic seized me. I turned and ran, my keycard slipping from my fingers as I reached the elevator. It hit the floor with a clink, but I didn’t stop, jamming the button until the doors closed. My breath came in gasps as the elevator climbed, my mind racing. Marco was plotting against Dante. And me—they wanted me. But why? And what was Dante doing with “others”?

The elevator opened to my office, and I grabbed my bag, ready to bolt. But as I reached the main elevator, a shadow loomed. Dante stood there, his eyes blazing. “Going somewhere, Lily?” he asked, his voice dangerously soft.

“I—I just forgot something,” I stammered, my heart in my throat.

He stepped closer, his gaze flicking to my trembling hands. “You’re a terrible liar,” he said, his fingers catching my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “What did you see?”