Page 301 of Hate Mates

My jaw clenched, a surge of rage coursing through me, something I shouldn’t be feeling in front of him. But I kept my expression neutral, my voice even. “What do you want me to do?”

My father’s gaze sharpened. He was always watching, always calculating. “You and Mateo will run interference on the Saviano shipment. We can’t afford any delays, but we need time. Saviano needs to believe that the shipment is still in play. Once we’ve delayed it enough, we strike.”

“Mateo? Why him?” I haven’t seen my childhood friend for years. Not since I went away.

“The Santoro’s are good friends. We need to keep them close, Bella. You understand?”

I nodded, with a twist in my gut. I barely heard my father outline the details. I couldn’t shake the discomfort in the pit of my stomach. I knew my role—at least, I thought I did. It was all part of the mission. But something about it felt... wrong.And now Mateo. His involvement changed things. My father couldn’t expect us to keep to the old ways. I pushed the thoughts aside.

“You understand the stakes, Bella?” My father’s voice broke through my thoughts, his tone suddenly more commanding. His eyes bore into me, waiting for my answer.

I nodded, forcing my focus back to him. “I understand.” The words felt hollow, even as I said them. But I had no choice.I knew how this worked. There were no questions. No second chances.

“Good.” He leaned forward, his eyes intense. “You’re my daughter. You know where your loyalty lies. Don’t forget that.”

The reminder was as cold as it was clear. Loyalty was the foundation of everything—of our family, our business, our world. It was everything.

I stood, the weight of his expectations settling heavily on my chest. “I’ll handle it,” I said, the words more final than I intended. I turned away, heading for the door, tension coiling in my gut.

A familiar icy grip of conflict tightened around me as the door clicked shut behind me. The plan was set. I had my orders. But my father was playing a dangerous game.

Rico had been cast aside like a pawn. His loyalty had been thrown into question. And I couldn’t help but wonder: if my father thought so little of him, what did he truly think about me?

The weight of it all—loyalty, betrayal, the family — felt like it was pushing me toward a breaking point.

I was playing my part, but deep down, a voice kept asking if I wouldwantto play it when the pieces fell.

When I turned the corner, I backtracked. What are the fucking chances?

Dominic stood in the den doorway, his back half-turned to me, looking out toward the city. He didn’t notice me for a moment, but I noticed everything. The way his white shirt clung to his broad shoulders showcased toned muscles and strength that came from years of training.

His hands were shoved into the pockets of his impeccable pants, his jaw clenched as he stared out at the city.

Damn him for looking so delicious.

I shouldn’t be looking. But I couldn’t tear my eyes away...

My heartbeat quickened as my eyes moved over him. There was something about him that drew me in—magnetic, dangerous, and aloof all at once.

“Well, if it isn’t Princess Deluca.”

I sucked in a breath and stepped forward. He hadn’t even turned, but he knew I was there.

“Dominic,” I said, keeping my voice as neutral as possible, though it sounded louder than I intended in the quiet hallway.

He turned to face me, his gaze settling on me instantly, that familiar intensity in his eyes.

“What are you doing here?” It came out sharper than I’d meant, but there it was.

“I’m waiting for Rico,Principessa,” he replied.

He moved a step closer, and suddenly, the space between us felt much too small. He was close enough now that I could smell his musky cologne. “Want to keep me company?”

Something in the air shifted. It was the same feeling I’d gotten the last time we’d crossed paths—like a charged current between us, pulling, thrumming with a mix of danger and something thrilling. It didn’t help that I was high on adrenalin after that meeting with my father.

“Still playingthatgame, are we?” I asked, unable to hide the bite in my words this time. I knew I shouldn’t be asking that—shouldn’t be encouraging whatever thisthingwas between us—but the words were out before I could stop them.

He smirked, his expression more of a challenge than anything else, his dark eyes unwavering. “You think this is a game?” he asked, voice dropping lower.

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