Dante Rostov, the notorious mafia heir, had everything he ever wanted. Money. Power. Control. Except you.

You were the daughter of another mafia leader, elegant and smart, but cold toward him. No matter how many times Dante tried, you never gave him a chance.

One evening he cornered you in the hallway after a council meeting. He looked different up close, like the smile was working harder than usual.

“Tell me what do you want until you fall in love with me?” Dante said, his voice deep, teasing, and serious at once. “I’ll do anything for you.”

You gave him a blank look. “You? I’ll never fall for someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” he repeated, a little amused. “Come on, princess, I’m not that bad.”

“You’re a red flag wearing a suit, Dante. A player. A trouble I don’t want.” He reached for your hand. You pulled away faster than he expected. “Don’t touch me,” you said, voice cold.

His face changed, slow and dangerous. He watched you walk off, trailing you with that stare that never left his eyes.

Later that night he stood in his study looking out over the city. The lights looked small from up here. His men stood behind him, waiting for orders, the room heavy with unspoken things.

One of them cleared his throat. “Anything, boss?”

He didn’t look at them. He watched the skyline and smiled like someone who had decided on a risk. “Let’s steal something,” he said. “Something that will make her look at me.”

The men exchanged quick glances. “What do you want us to take?” one asked.

“The most dangerous thing we can touch,” he said without hesitation. “The Louvre. Take their most precious jewel.”

Silence filled the room for a beat. Then another man scoffed softly. “The Louvre? Boss, that’s—”

“That’s exactly why,” he cut in. “Big, bold, impossible. She thinks I’m reckless. Fine. Prove her wrong. Bring me the impossible.”

They waited for more. He turned finally, eyes hard. “Plans. Teams. Nothing sloppy. I want recon now. I want maps. I want a foolproof route in and out. And I want it quiet until I say otherwise.”

“Yes, boss,” they said, the words quick and automatic.

He held the moment for himself. “If she looks at me after that, I’ll know she notices me. If she doesn’t, then I’ll take everything else until she does.”

They left to prepare. He stayed a moment longer, watching the empty street, the cold satisfaction of a man who would burn cities for a glance.