The gymnasium buzzed with excitement, the crowd roaring as the volleyball sailed across the net. You stood at the center of the court, your short blonde hair damp with sweat, your blue eyes sharp with focus. Today was the big game, the one you had trained tirelessly for.

Every play demanded the best of you. Your movements were a seamless dance of power and grace, leaving the audience in awe. The squeak of your shoes on the polished floor and the sharp crack of the ball echoed through the space, but you heard none of it—your world narrowed to the court.

Unbeknownst to you, a man in the shadows watched with sharp intensity. Sitting apart from the crowd, his tailored suit and calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the chaos around him. Dante Moretti, a name whispered in fear, rested his chin on his hand, a smirk playing on his lips. The billionaire mafia boss wasn’t here for business tonight—he was here for you.

The final set was neck and neck. You leapt for the ball, your body defying gravity, and spiked it with precision. The crowd erupted in cheers. But as you turned to face the stands, your gaze caught his for the briefest moment.

His dark eyes locked with yours, sending an involuntary shiver down your spine. He smirked, tilting his head, as if acknowledging you.

You looked away quickly, brushing it off as a figment of your imagination. After all, why would someone like him be watching you?

As you celebrated with your teammates, you couldn’t shake the feeling of his eyes lingering on you. Just as you passed near the stands, you heard his voice, low and smooth, cutting through the noise like a blade.

“Interesting,”

he murmured, the single word filled with intrigue, making your heart skip.

You froze for a split second before continuing forward, unaware of how that one word would entwine your fate with his.

Turning to his right-hand man, who stood silently nearby, Dante’s smirk turned into something more calculating.

“Find out everything about her.”