Huffing in frustration, Viola kept knocking, “I know you’re in there, open up. I can hear the loud music.” She yelled.

Sabrina stopped. “Who is that at the door? She’s been such a buzz killer. I’ve been trying to get you in the mood, but it’s not working.”

Angry, Dmitri opened his eyes, grabbed the remote control, and pressed the open button on the automated door.

Viola sighed in relief and entered the apartment tentatively to see Dmitri shirtless, his tattoos a beautiful contrast against his skin, with some tramp on his legs.

“What do you want? Or are you just here to enjoy the show?” Dmitri asked cockily.

Sabrina immediately felt insecure, and the need to mark her territory overwhelmed her; she kissed Dmitri on the lips, breaking his one rule.

To him, kissing was something intimate to be shared with someone you had genuine feelings for, not just for the sake of sexual pleasure.

Dmitri's eyes widened in disgust, and he pulled away, standing up, making Sabrina get off.

“I’m sorry… I.” She said frantically, confusing Viola, who watched them in disgust.

“It’s fine, take the cash on the counter and return to the club,” Dmitri said.

Nodding dutifully, Sabrina took the money and left with her coat; she was red in embarrassment.

The look Viola gave him bothered him, and for a fraction of a second, he wished he could explain and peel his layers for her to see who he really is.

“Well, I’m here to ask a few questions and also talk about your social media presence and image.” She said with a professional voice that betrayed the irritation and jealousy she felt.

Dmitri emptied the rest of his glass, his eyes never shifting from her, “Have a seat, princess, I don’t bite. Except you want me to." he said in a low tone, making Viola shiver involuntarily.

She took her seat tentatively on the living room couch and took out her notepad. “So what are your expectations for the playoffs this season? How would you like your fans to feel?” Viola asked for a pen in her hand.

Dmitri gave a small laugh, pouring another drink for himself, “Why do you look so flushed? Are you scared to be around me alone? I should be the one shaking considering you groped me the last time we were alone.”

Viola took a deep breath, determined not to let him rattle her, “Have you ever had any scandals, anything I should know about?”

“Let’s talk about you and why would Santoro allow his precious delicate flower to stay all alone in New York?” Viola gasped, her head shot up to meet his eyes.

Dmitri scoffed, “Oh come off it. Did you really think I wouldn’t figure it out, although each mafia keeps its profile under the public eye? We’re all well aware of each other.”

Viola’s throat went dry. What was she supposed to tell him? That her father wants him dead, his blood as payment for her brother’s.

“Please can we get back to the official assignment. This is supposed to be a professional conversation, and for work purposes, I even have to record it to replay in case I miss anything you say.”

Viola said, struggling not to sound breathless. Being around him felt like an extreme sport, her heart was racing two times its normal speed.

Dmitri looked her over, his body craving to be near her. She wore a dress that clung to her figure.

He clenched his fist, struggling for control. Never had a woman ever affected him physically this much.

And it had to be the daughter of his father's sworn enemy. Any wrong turn with her could lead to a lot of bloodshed on both sides.

“You may want to put that recorder off. I can see you shaking. I know you want me, you’re even seated at the edge of the couch away from me.”

Viola’s eyes glinted sharply, “Are you trying to call me a coward? Why on earth would I be scared to be near you? You couldn’t dare hurt me, and you know it.” Her subtle threat hung in the air and Dmitri didn’t like that at all.

“Prove it then, scoot closer.” He said mockingly, much to Viola’s irritation. She knew he was baiting her, but her hot Italian blood couldn’t stand his taunting.

Dmitri continued drinking, pretending he couldn’t see her moving closer from the corner of his eyes.

When she was barely a seat away, Dmitri surprised her by dropping his glass suddenly on the table and closing the distance between them. Viola’s breathing heightened.

Dmitri smirked, seeing her reaction to his nearness. It was good to see she was affected by him as much as he was by her.

Unable to help himself, he took a tendril of her hair and rubbed the silkiness between his fingers.

“So princess, are you ready to answer my questions? Why are you playing in the predator's cage, or do you wish to defy your famila and give into the cravings of your passion so badly damning the consequences?”

He whispered in her ear, making her shiver deliciously.

She tried to scoot to the other side and put some space between them, but he put his arm around her waist, caging her to the spot.

His hot breath on her neck was making her senses swim.

Get a hold of yourself. This man’s father is responsible for Loris' death. She screamed in her head.

“Look at me.” He commanded her, and she found her eyes looking up to meet him.

“Good girl,” He said with a smirk, his eyes on her lips again. Instinctively, her lips parted in anticipation of his kiss.

He took his head lower to meet hers, and she closed her eyes, waiting for the warmth to steal over her, but in a split second, he shifted his lips to her ear and chuckled slowly.

“You naughty girl. This is why you’re here, isn’t it? You’ve had fantasies about me and came to actualize them, huh?”

Viola’s eyes popped open, stinging with slight tears from embarrassment. She struggled against his hold.

“Let me go.” He saw the sheen of tears in her eyes and his pain lurched painfully, knowing he was the cause.

He eased his hold, and she slipped out of his grasp, standing to her feet and grabbing her stuff.

“I shouldn’t have come here,” she said, holding back tears, feeling like an absolute traitor to her family.

Dmitri felt bad but couldn’t show it. “Whatever floats your boat princess, I know you’ll be back. I must warn you though, this isn’t one of your silly little romance movies where two enemies fall in love. At best what I can offer you is a night of you screaming in pleasure.”

He said taunting her even more. What he wished he could tell her was that he was struggling with his feelings too, as much as she was.

Viola turned to him, hurt and angry. “Well, have a good night, Mr Dmitri. Next time, I’ll be sure to make sure we meet in a public space.”

She walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her angrily. Her sandals hit the ground as she hurried away from inside the building to the parking lot.

She had barely taken a few steps when she saw three men in black hoodies leaning on her car. She took a step back, but they had already noticed her and stood straight.

“We’ve been waiting for you,” one said in a tone that left her feeling sick to her stomach.

“What do you want?” She said bravely.

One took out a gun from his hoodie, swinging it like a cowboy toying with the trigger, a sinister smile on his face.

There was no need to run, any step she took could cost her her life.

Dimitri heard a vibrating sound under his pillow next to him, kissing his teeth in annoyance. He picked up the device to see it wasn’t his but most likely Viola's.

She must have left it. The screen showed the name ‘Baby Bear’ with kissy emojis.

“So she even has a boyfriend. What stupid game is she then trying to play?” He said in annoyed jealousy as he took the elevator down, jogging to the parking lot.

Just as he got there, he saw a man close a car door in the back seat and zoom away. On a closer look, he realized it was Viola’s car.

“Shit!” He muttered under his breath, running after the car, but it was too late. He walked back to see Viola’s notepad and purse on the ground. It was obvious there was a scuffle, and she was kidnapped.

Who would dare do such a thing? His anger and overprotective feelings surprised even him. Why should he care if she got kidnapped?

They were mortal enemies, but the thought of some filthy man dragging her and laying their hands on her made him feel like he was losing his mind. He was going to cut the hands of every man who even put a finger on her.

“I have to rescue her,” He said to himself loudly, racing upstairs to get his car keys.