Chapter 1 - THE STRANGER IN THE ELEVATOR
“What if I told you those desserts were meant for me?”
Aurora Reyes stared at the stranger sitting across from her on the elevator floor.
For several seconds, she forgot about the stalled elevator, her racing heartbeat, and even Braden waiting somewhere below.
“You're the tech executive?”
The man smiled faintly.
“Not exactly.”
“Then how do you know about the party?”
“Because I own the penthouse.”
Aurora blinked.
“Oh.”
He extended his hand.
“Dante Moretti.”
The name meant nothing to her.
But somewhere beyond those elevator doors, it was a name that made powerful men lower their voices.
Dante Moretti was thirty-eight years old, the billionaire owner of the Celestial Hotel and one of New York's most feared underground figures.
He controlled luxury hotels, shipping companies, and a criminal empire inherited from his father.
And right now, he was sitting on the floor discussing pastries with a frightened baker.
Aurora shook his hand.
“Well, Mr. Moretti, I'm sorry your desserts are late.”
“Dante.”
“Excuse me?”
“Call me Dante.”
She smiled nervously.
“Okay, Dante.”
For the first time that afternoon, her shoulders relaxed.
Then something metallic scraped against the elevator roof.
Dante stopped smiling.
He stood so quickly that Aurora instinctively moved backward.
“What is it?”
He held up one finger.
Silence.
Another scraping sound.
Then three sharp knocks came from above them.
Dante reached inside his jacket.
Aurora's eyes widened when she saw the black handgun.
“Why do you have that?”
Dante didn't answer.
Instead, he stepped between her and the elevator doors.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
One message appeared.
THE ELEVATOR WAS DISABLED ON PURPOSE. THE GIRL IS THE TARGET.
May you like
Dante looked at Aurora.
And for the first time, she saw genuine alarm in his eyes.
