Whispers of Betrayal

BIANCA'S POV

Bianca watched from the shadows, her dark eyes narrowing as she observed Livia from across the grand hall. The new addition to Dante's inner circle had been nothing short of a mystery, a riddle wrapped in a facade that Bianca was determined to unravel. The glances shared between Dante and Livia, the subtle shift in his demeanor whenever she was near—it was enough to make Bianca's blood boil.

Dante had always been meticulous, a man who trusted no one and revealed even less. Yet, here was this woman, seamlessly slipping into his world, making herself indispensable. The way he spoke to her, the softened edge in his voice, was something Bianca hadn’t witnessed in years. The thought gnawed at her, a sharp reminder that her place in his life was no longer as secure as she believed.

Bianca took a deep breath, calming the storm of emotions within her. She had been by Dante’s side through bloodshed, betrayal, and the brutal rise to power that marked his reign. If anyone knew him—his strengths, his flaws, the dark corners of his mind—it was her. And she would not let this interloper jeopardize everything she had built.

Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she approached Dante’s office, where muffled voices spoke in low tones. She paused outside, straining to catch snippets of their conversation.

“...trust goes beyond loyalty, Livia,” Dante’s voice was firm, but there was an undertone of vulnerability that made Bianca’s teeth clench. “It’s knowing that when the time comes, you’d choose this family, no matter what.”

Livia’s reply was softer, laced with the calculated charm that Bianca was starting to recognize. “I understand, Dante. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

Bianca’s heart raced as she stepped away from the door. This woman was dangerous, more so than she had initially believed. Livia was weaving herself into the fabric of Dante’s life, threading deception through every conversation. It was time to make her move.

---

That evening, Bianca found herself in Dante’s private chambers, the warmth of the fire casting flickering shadows across the room. He sat at his desk, the glow of the lamp highlighting the sharp angles of his face. His eyes lifted when she entered, and for a moment, she saw the exhaustion he worked so hard to hide.

“Bianca,” he acknowledged, leaning back in his chair. “What brings you here?”

She stepped closer, her expression unreadable as she placed a glass of whiskey in front of him. “We need to talk about Livia.”

Dante’s brows lifted slightly, but he remained silent, waiting for her to continue. Bianca’s pulse quickened at his reaction; even the mere mention of Livia’s name seemed to shift the atmosphere.

“I know she’s proven herself useful,” Bianca began, choosing her words carefully. “But have you considered why she’s really here? Why she would willingly step into the chaos of the Ricci Syndicate?”

Dante’s eyes darkened, the playful glint disappearing as suspicion clouded his gaze. “Speak plainly, Bianca.”

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “There are whispers among the men. Rumors that she’s not who she claims to be. That she has ties to… outsiders.”

The silence that followed was palpable, each second stretching into an eternity. Dante’s jaw tightened, and Bianca knew she had struck a nerve. Good, she thought. It was time he opened his eyes.

“Why are you telling me this?” he asked, his voice cold, but she could hear the hint of uncertainty beneath it.

“Because I care, Dante,” she said, letting her hand rest on his arm for just a moment. “You’ve built this empire with vigilance, trust carefully rationed. I don’t want to see you undone by someone who might be playing a game we don’t fully understand.”

Dante’s gaze locked onto hers, searching for ulterior motives. Bianca forced herself to meet his eyes, pushing aside the guilt that nipped at her conscience. She wasn’t lying—at least, not entirely. The threat Livia posed was real, even if it wasn’t quite as dire as she suggested. But if she could protect him from making a mistake, protect her place by his side, then it was worth it.

“Leave,” Dante ordered after a beat, the single word laced with a weariness that hinted at his inner turmoil.

Bianca swallowed hard but obeyed, her heels echoing against the silence as she stepped out into the corridor. As the door closed behind her, she leaned against the wall, allowing a small, triumphant smile to cross her lips. Seeds had been planted, and now she would wait for doubt to take root in Dante’s mind.

But in the moments that followed, as she replayed his expression in her mind, a pang of uncertainty clawed at her. Had she gone too far? Had she underestimated Livia’s cunning? The thought lingered, unwelcome and persistent, as she walked away, the flames of jealousy and strategy burning brightly in her chest.

Bianca paced down the dimly lit corridor, the weight of her conversation with Dante pressing down on her chest. Every step echoed in the silence, but her mind was far from still. Planting seeds of doubt had been the easy part; now came the waiting, the watching. She knew Dante better than anyone, knew how deeply the roots of suspicion could burrow into him. But Livia was no ordinary threat. The woman had captivated him in a way that Bianca hadn’t seen before, and that made her dangerous.

As Bianca reached the end of the hallway, she caught sight of Livia in the corner of the parlor, speaking with one of Dante’s trusted lieutenants, Marco. They were deep in conversation, the flicker of a smile crossing Livia’s lips as Marco said something that made her laugh—a sound that grated on Bianca’s nerves.

Marco’s loyalty was unyielding, but even he seemed to be drawn to Livia’s presence. Bianca clenched her fists, the sudden realization striking her like a blow: Livia wasn’t just charming Dante; she was infiltrating every corner of his inner circle. That had to be stopped.

She made her way over, her stride confident and her face composed, masking the storm raging inside her. Marco glanced up as she approached, his expression shifting from amusement to apprehension. Livia turned slowly, her eyes meeting Bianca’s with a calm that bordered on arrogance.

“Bianca,” Marco greeted, his voice laced with tension. He shifted uncomfortably, sensing the silent duel that was about to unfold.

“Marco,” Bianca replied coolly, not taking her eyes off Livia. “May I have a moment with Livia? Alone.”

Marco hesitated, glancing between the two women before nodding and stepping back. Livia didn’t flinch, holding Bianca’s gaze with a small, knowing smile that made Bianca’s blood boil.

“What is it, Bianca?” Livia asked, tilting her head slightly, her tone light and unbothered.

Bianca took a step closer, closing the space between them. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but let me make one thing clear: I see through you.”

A flicker of something passed over Livia’s expression—surprise, amusement? It was gone before Bianca could place it, replaced by that infuriatingly serene look.

“I’m not playing any games,” Livia replied, her voice low. “I’m here for Dante. Just like you.”

The implication in her words stung, slicing through Bianca’s composure like a knife. “Don’t mistake your temporary favor for permanence,” Bianca hissed. “Dante’s loyalty is earned through years of sacrifice and trust. You’ve barely scratched the surface.”

Livia’s eyes darkened, and for the first time, Bianca saw a hint of the steel that lay beneath the surface. “You’re right,” Livia said, stepping closer until their faces were mere inches apart. “Trust is earned. And if you’re so confident in your position, Bianca, then why are you so threatened by me?”

Bianca’s jaw tightened, but before she could respond, Dante’s voice echoed from the entrance of the room. “What’s going on here?”

Both women turned to see him standing there, his gaze sharp and unreadable as it swept over them. Bianca straightened, forcing a smile onto her lips as she replied, “Just a conversation, Dante. Nothing more.”

He looked between them, the tension crackling in the air. There was a moment of silence before he spoke again, his tone cool. “I hope so. We can’t afford fractures in the ranks.”

Bianca nodded, the weight of his scrutiny heavy on her shoulders. But as Dante’s gaze shifted to Livia, something softened in his eyes, a fleeting look that made Bianca’s heart drop. The realization that Livia had gotten further into his guarded heart than she’d feared was undeniable.

As she watched them, a bitter thought crept into her mind: trust was not just about loyalty. It was about power, and Livia was taking hers.