Page 27 of Dangerous Seduction

As Eva Morales, I pushed those fears aside, channeling all my training and experience into a confident, alluring, and unflappable persona—someone who belonged in this world of wealth and power.

The door swung open before I could knock, revealing a smiling Sofia Reyes in a stunning cocktail dress. “Eva!” she exclaimed, pulling me into a warm embrace. “I’m so glad you could make it. Come on in. Everyone’s dying to meet you.”

I returned her smile, allowing myself to be swept inside the grand foyer. The mansion’s interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with soaring ceilings, gleaming marble floors, and priceless works of art adorning the walls.

Sofia led me through the house, chattering excitedly about the dinner and the guests who had already arrived. I nodded and smiled at all the right moments, but my attention was focused on absorbing every detail of my surroundings, committing the house’s layout to memory.

As we entered the sprawling living room, I felt several gazes land on me. Dante was there, of course, looking sinfully handsome in a tailored suit that hugged his muscular frame. His blue eyes widened when he saw me, heat passing between us before he quickly adjusted himself.

Beside him stood an older man with salt-and-pepper hair and a stern, aristocratic face. I recognized him instantly from the files - Ricardo Reyes, the patriarch of the family and the mastermind behind the cartel’s operations.

Ricardo’s gaze was assessing as he looked me over, his dark eyes seeming to strip away the layers of my disguise. For a heart-stopping moment, I feared that he could see right through me, that he knew exactly who I was and why I was there.

He smiled, a cold, calculating thing that didn’t quite reach his eyes. His voice was smooth as silk as he welcomed me. “Sofia’s told us much about you. It’s a pleasure to have you here.”

I forced a smile in return, extending my hand to shake his. “The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Reyes,” I said calmly, despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. “Your home is stunning.”

A waiter appeared with a tray of champagne flutes, and I quickly grabbed one for liquid courage. The introductions continued, and I felt Dante’s gaze boring into me the entire time. I had to use every ounce of my willpower to keep my focus on the job at hand and not meet his stare.

The Reyes family certainly knew how to throw a dinner party, with no expense spared on the lavish decorations and free-flowing drinks. I was just about to head over to Sofia when a familiar presence appeared at my side.

“Eva,” Dante said, his voice low. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

I glanced up at him, his blue eyes making my heart skip a beat. “Of course,” I said, keeping my tone light and casual.

He led me away from the crowded living room and into an empty adjoining space, closing the door behind us with a soft click. The sudden privacy was thrilling and unnerving, and I was acutely aware of Dante’s proximity, his body mere inches away.

“I wanted to apologize,” he began, running a hand through his dark golden hair. “For my sister’s little matchmaking scheme. She can be a bit... enthusiastic when it comes to my love life.”

“It’s fine, Dante. I’m sure Sofia meant well. And maybe...” I paused, biting my lip as I met his gaze. “Maybe I didn’t mind so much.”

A rush of desire passed over Dante’s eyes. He took a step closer, his hand brushing a stray lock of hair from my cheek. “Is that so?” he said, his voice rough with emotion.

I tilted my head up, my lips parting as Dante leaned in, his breath ghosting over my skin.

For a moment, I forgot about everything else - the mission, the danger, the lies I had spun to get to this point. All that mattered was the man in front of me and the electric current flowing between us.

But just as our lips were about to meet, a sudden noise from outside the room made us spring apart, the spell broken. Dante cleared his throat, running a hand over his face as he took a step back.

“We should probably get back to the party,” he said, his voice strained. “But Eva, before we do... there’s something you should know.”

I raised an eyebrow, my heart still racing from our near kiss. “What is it?”

Dante hesitated, his jaw clenching as he struggled with his words. “It’s my father,” he said finally. “Ricardo. He can be... intense. Suspicious of outsiders. It’s just his nature.”

I nodded slowly, unease curling in my gut. I had read the files on Ricardo Reyes and knew the kind of man he was and the ruthless empire he had built. But hearing Dante’s warning made it all the more real; the danger I was walking into suddenly crystal clear.

“I’ll be careful,” I promised. “And Dante... thank you. For looking out for me.”

He gave me a small, crooked smile, the kind that made my heart skip a beat. “Anytime, Eva.”

We returned to the party and took our seats around the elegantly set dinner table. An undercurrent of tension set my nerves on edge.

“So, Eva,” Ricardo said, his voice cutting through the chatter like a knife. “Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? What brought you to South Florida?”

I met his gaze with a calm smile as I recalled the details of my cover story. “I just moved here a couple of weeks ago. I’m originally from New York,” I said, my tone casual. “But I’ve always loved the sun and the sea. Miami just looked like the perfect place to start fresh.”

Ricardo raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “Starting fresh, hmm? And what exactly do you do for a living, my dear?”

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