Chapter 5

The black Maybach drove through a pair of towering iron gates.

Camille glanced silently out the tinted window.

The Moretti estate stretched across the hills like a sleeping empire hidden from the rest of the city. Ancient stone fountains stood beneath dim golden lights, perfectly trimmed gardens disappearing into the darkness beyond. Every inch of the property radiated old money and absolute power.

But what unsettled her most…Was the silence.

No bustling servants. No unnecessary guards wandering around. Everything was disciplined.

Like a predator quietly watching from the shadows.

The car finally stopped before the massive mansion entrance.

A servant immediately opened the door for her. “Miss Camille.”

Camille stepped out calmly, her shoes clicking softly against the marble pathway.

Inside, the mansion was even quieter.

The ceilings were impossibly high, crystal chandeliers casting pale gold light across dark marble floors and expensive antique decor. The air smelled faintly of cedarwood and expensive whiskey.

Camille followed the servant deeper inside until they reached the enormous living room.

Then the servant lowered his head respectfully and retreated without another word.

Leaving Camille alone.

With him.

Dante Moretti sat on a black leather sofa near the fireplace, one arm resting lazily against the armrest. His suit jacket had been discarded somewhere, leaving only a fitted black shirt with the top buttons undone slightly.

The firelight sharpened every angle of his face. Cold eyes, sharp jawline and powerful shoulders. The kind of man whose mere presence made rooms quieter.

And yet Camille showed no fear. She simply stood there calmly, meeting his gaze directly.

Dante watched her silently for several seconds. Most people either avoided eye contact with him… or trembled under it.

But Camille Laurent looked at him as though he were simply another patient.

That alone amused him.

“You left the Laurent family,” he finally said.

It wasn't a question.

Camille walked toward him and answered. “I did.”

“No hesitation?”

Camille looked directly in his eyes and said. “They never wanted me there in the first place.”

The fire crackled softly between them. Dante studied her carefully. Her expression was calm. But he noticed the exhaustion hidden beneath her eyes. The faint tightness in her shoulders. The controlled stillness of someone forcing herself not to break.

A woman cornered from every direction. Her family turning against her. Her shares becoming a threat.

And now…She had willingly stepped into the territory of a man far more dangerous than the Laurents could ever be.

Dante’s lips curved faintly. “So you came to me?”

Camille’s gaze remained steady. “You need my help. Don't twist the words.”

“No,” Dante corrected smoothly. “I offered employment.”

The corner of Camille’s lips lifted slightly. Right. Nothing in Dante Moretti’s world came without conditions.

Dante slowly stood. The atmosphere instantly shifted the moment he moved closer.

Every instinct in Camille’s body quietly sharpened.

He stopped directly before her. Close enough for her to catch the scent of dark cologne and smoke lingering against him.

“Until I’m fully cured,” Dante said calmly, “you will remain here as my personal physician.” His eyes darkened slightly. “You can not leave my sight without permission.”

The words sounded less like an arrangement…And more like ownership.

Camille looked up at him. Any other woman would have felt intimidated beneath that gaze. But Camille only crossed one leg over the other gracefully.

“Fine.”

Dante raised an eyebrow slightly. “That easy?”

“I currently have nowhere else worth going anyways,” Camille replied honestly.

Something flickered briefly across Dante’s eyes. It was amusement.

Because she said it without vulnerability. Without fishing for sympathy. Just cold truth.

Dante leaned slightly closer. “Smart answer.”

Camille ignored the dangerous warmth suddenly surrounding her. “I also have conditions.”

Dante smirked faintly. “There it is.”

Camille looked directly into his eyes. “First, I need a fully equipped private medical laboratory. I’ll send you the list of equipment and raw materials I require.”

“No issue.”

“Second…” Camille paused slightly. “Our relationship will remain strictly employer and employee.”

Dante’s eyes narrowed faintly.

“No interference in each other’s private affairs,” Camille continued calmly. “I will cure you. You pay me. That’s all.”

For two seconds, silence filled the room. Then Dante suddenly laughed quietly. “You’re very bold, Miss Laurent.”

Camille’s expression did not change. “I prefer clear boundaries.”

Dante slowly bent down slightly until their faces were much closer. The heat from his body wrapped around her like invisible chains.

“Do you establish boundaries with every dangerous man you meet?”

Camille felt her pulse tighten once. But outwardly, she remained composed. “You’re my first dangerous patient.”

That answer genuinely amused him.

A faint smirk appeared on Dante’s lips.

Unexpectedly he reached out. His fingers brushed lightly beneath her chin.

Possessive in a way that made warning bells ring instantly in Camille’s mind.

Her body stiffened slightly and Dante noticed immediately. His thumb brushed her skin lazily as his eyes darkened.

“Still pretending not to be nervous?”

Camille held his gaze for one dangerous second before calmly taking hold of his wrist. She removed his hand from her face and placed it away from her.

The room went completely silent. No woman had touched Dante Moretti like that before. Much less rejected his touch so calmly.

Camille spoke evenly. “Mr. Moretti.” Her tone remained polite. “Employer. Employee.”

Dante stared at her for several seconds. “You really are different from the rumors.”

Camille took a few steps back gracefully. “And you’re exactly like yours.”

Dante’s eyebrow lifted. “A monster?”

“A wolf,” Camille corrected him. “The kind that waits patiently before tearing out someone’s throat.”

The amusement in Dante’s eyes deepened.

Most people feared him but the girl in front of him had the audacity to analyse him.

That alone made his blood stir strangely. Dante stepped closer again, towering over her effortlessly.

“And yet,” he murmured, “you still walked willingly into my territory.”

Camille met his gaze calmly, though every instinct in her body remained alert. Because she knew exactly what kind of man stood before her.

If her treatment failed…He would kill her without hesitation.

Dante suddenly lifted a hand again. This time, his fingers brushed lightly against a strand of her dark hair before sliding down slowly.

“Tell me something, Camille.” His voice lowered dangerously. “Are you truly confident you can cure me…” His eyes locked onto hers. “Or are you simply desperate enough to gamble with your life?”

The murderous intent hidden beneath the words was unmistakable. Coldness spread silently through Camille’s heart.

“I dislike losing,” she replied softly. “If I had promised that I could treat you then I would no matter what.”

Something sharp flashed across Dante’s eyes. For the first time in weeks, genuine anticipation curled through him. He leaned closer until his voice brushed near her ear.

“If your medical skills fail to match your arrogance…” A dangerous smile appeared on his lips. “I’ll personally bury you beneath this estate.”

Camille knew he meant every word. This man had killed before. Many times.

Yet strangely…She didn’t step back. Instead, she looked up at him calmly.

“Then I suggest,” she said softly, “you keep me alive long enough to finish your treatment.”

For one second, Dante stared at her.

Then he laughed again.

God.

What a fascinating woman.

Most people begged him for mercy and Camille negotiated with him while standing inches away from death.

Dante stepped back slowly, finally giving her space. “I’ll have your laboratory prepared by tomorrow.”

Camille nodded once. “And my room?”

Dante’s eyes lingered on her face a second too long.

“Third floor,” he replied lazily. “Across from mine.”

Camille scowled slightly. “That close?”

Dante smirked unapologetically. “You’re my doctor now. Who knows when I need you?”

His gaze slowly traveled over her face again. “And I prefer keeping valuable things where I can see them.”

Camille ignored the strange warmth that sentence caused in her chest. She had escaped one battlefield only to enter another.

The Laurent family wanted control of her shares. Dante Moretti wanted control of her life.

And standing in the middle of both worlds…Camille suddenly realized something terrifying.

If she made even one mistake—Neither side would let her survive.