His Son’s Ex: Chapter 9

EVA

Two days later…

My first official day at BK&C is surreal. There’s a hush in the corridors, polite yet watchful gazes from the employees as I pass by.

I’m in the belly of the beast. Except this beast is an Italian mafia–aligned, multi-billion-dollar corporation. My boss is a man so dangerous, so powerful, he could probably end me with a phone call.

He’s also so disarmingly tempting that I can’t stop thinking about the way he touched me, the way he made me burn.

Clutching my sleek leather portfolio bag, I force my heartbeat to slow. I’ve earned this position. I might be stepping onto the main stage of organized crime’s legitimate front, but nobody here knows who I really am. I’m not Luca’s ex. I’m not Dante’s… whatever.

They only see me as Eva Smith, brilliant cybersecurity expert. That’s it.

And that’s exactly how I need to keep it.

The corporate assistant—a tall, elegant woman named Janine—leads me through a maze of glass-walled offices. She murmurs introductions as we go, pointing out various department heads and acknowledging them with polite nods. A hush of curiosity follows us. I feel eyes on my back, but whenever I hazard a glance over my shoulder, everyone’s focused on their screens again.

They’re well-trained.

Finally, Janine stops outside a corner office, my name on a sleek plaque to the right of the door. “Ms. Smith, this is your space. Mr. Bellacino asked that you be placed near the executive suite in case he needs to consult with you.”

My stomach does a little flip. “Thank you. That is convenient.”

Janine politely smiles. “Please let me know if you need anything. Your new staff ID is on your desk, along with all relevant access passes.” She turns and leaves me alone in my new domain.

I step inside, the large windows offering an impressive view of New York’s skyline. A spacious desk faces the window while empty bookshelves line the walls, waiting for me to fill them with reference books and manuals. A state-of-the-art workstation hums quietly off one end of the desk, monitors arranged in a multi-display setup that practically calls to me.

This is it.

A swirl of excitement shoots through my veins. This is the position I’ve always dreamed about—head of cybersecurity at a top-tier company. The challenges will be immense. The compensation mind-blowing. The environment? Potentially lethal if I slip up, given who truly runs this show.

But I’m up to the task and I can’t wait to get started.

Dropping my portfolio on the desk, I spend the morning settling in by running initial diagnostics on the system, customizing my workstation, and reviewing the company’s current cybersecurity framework. My mind is alive with possibilities, but a low-level tension settles beneath the surface, a constant awareness that this organization is more than it seems and Dante is more than just my boss.

Twice, I see him striding through the hall with subordinates trailing behind like eager disciples. He doesn’t glance my way, but I feel his presence, a gravitational pull that sets my nerves on edge.

My belly jumps every time I recall the night we spent together. Memories flash of the heat of his body, the low rumble of his voice, the sheer force of his desire.

I can’t let that distract me, but how am I supposed to ignore it?


The hours blur by as I go through orientation. A rush of IT policies, cryptographic standards, and corporate documentation being thrown at me. I meet my new team—a handful of cybersecurity analysts—all talented, all politely curious about me.

More than a few of them are at least twice my age, no doubt wondering why their new boss looks young enough to be their daughter. But if they have misgivings, they wisely keep them to themselves.

By late afternoon, I’ve compiled a rough outline of my recommendations—all advanced points such as intrusion detection systems, anomaly-based threat modeling, and implementing honeypot servers. My head buzzes with ideas, eager to push the envelope.

Around six, Janine appears at my door. “Ms. Smith, Mr. Bellacino would like to see you. He mentioned it’s your final meeting of the day.”

My heart kicks up a notch. “All right. Did he say what it’s regarding?”

She shakes her head. “Only that he wants an update on your initial assessment.”

So much for a gentle ramp-up.

Nodding, I gather my notes, double-check my suit jacket, and head to the top executive suite, which happens to be the only office without glass walls. Dante obviously values his privacy.

When I reach his door, I pause to compose myself and take a deep breath. I knock.

“Enter.”

Heat skitters across my skin as I open the door.

Dante stands at his desk, jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled mid-forearm. The orange glow of the setting sun spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him, painting the office in a wash of warm, copper light. The view alone is breathtaking, and the sight of him steals my focus—broad shoulders, strong arms, the top button of his shirt undone revealing his sexy collarbone.

His eyes gleam as they lock onto me. “Eva.”

I force a polite smile. “Sir.”

He smirks.

Damn it.

Clearing my throat, I step forward, holding out my notes. “You wanted an update on my findings?”

He motions me closer. “Have a seat. We have a lot to discuss.”

I settle into the chair across from him, ignoring the flicker of memory that surfaces of our night together.

Dante leans against the desk, arms folded. “Tell me what you’ve got.”

I inhale, flipping open my folder. “Your existing system is robust, but it’s geared toward standard threats such as ransomware and basic phishing attempts. That won’t cut it if you face a persistent or top-tier threat. We need something more—“I twirl my hand, looking for the right word.

He cocks an eyebrow. “Aggressive?”

I nod. “That’s one way to put it. For instance, we can embed spyware into bogus files—like decoy financial records. Hackers think they’re stealing valuable data, but in reality, we’re collecting their IP addresses, infiltration paths, and domain credentials. In other words, we’re tracking them.”

He listens intently, brow furrowing. “So basically we’re laying a trap.”

“Exactly. It’s not unusual to deploy honeypots, but I’m taking it one step further by seeding real-looking data across the network. The second they grab it, we have them.”

Dante’s expression is thoughtful. “That’s more than a typical defense posture. That’s espionage.”

“Not illegal,” I point out. “As long as we’re not violating privacy laws or entrapment regulations. We’d simply be providing false files for unauthorized actors.”

“And once we pinpoint them?”

I pause for a moment before responding. “That’s up to you. But if we do this, any retaliation must be on the right side of the law.” My eyes narrow. “If you start launching destructive attacks or doxing them, that puts the company at risk. I won’t be a part of that.”

Silence falls between us. Dante’s jaw twitches as the fading sunlight paints him in stark gold, making him appear like the statue of a dark god.

Finally, he exhales. “You’re telling me to keep it legal.”

“I am.”

A slow smile curves his mouth, dangerous and admiring all at once. “The more I learn about you, Eva Smith, the more I despise the fact that we agreed on a one-time-only arrangement.”

My throat dries. “I don’t recall that arrangement being exactly mutual.”

His smile widens, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “You didn’t protest; you said you didn’t want to get in too deep.”

Too late.

Heat coils in my gut as my body remembers how it felt to be pinned beneath him, how my heart thundered at the authority in his voice.

The tension in the room crackles like static electricity.

“You’re my boss now,” I point out.

He steps around the desk, moving closer with predatory grace. My pulse leaps. “Yes, I am. And right now, I’m very impressed with your plan. I’m also very conflicted.”

“Conflicted how?”

He stops just in front of me, his gaze dipping briefly to my parted lips. “Conflicted between praising your brilliance or punishing you for driving me insane.”

A tremor runs through me. “Punishing me?”

He leans in, and I catch the faint scent of his cologne—spiced wood, dark and potent. “Mmm-hmm,” he murmurs. “You knew exactly what you were doing when you walked in here, didn’t you? With your ideas of embedding spyware, your no-nonsense approach. You’re baiting me.”

I swallow hard. “I’m not sure how.”

“You’re brilliant, Eva, but you’ve given me boundaries. No one gives Dante Bellacino boundaries.”

“There’s a first time for everything, I suppose.”

He chuckles softly, then lifts his hand to cup my chin. The contact sets off sparks. “Does this bother you?”

It should. He’s my boss. He’s also the most dangerous man I’ve ever met. And yet, I’m leaning into his touch, my breath catching. “I…”

He silences me with his mouth, pressing a slow, devastating kiss to my lips. My mind short-circuits, a rush of desire obliterating all rational thought.

He slides his free hand around my waist, pulling me to my feet so I’m flush against him. My heart thunders, a moan escaping as his tongue slips past my lips, coaxing and demanding.

The last rays of the sun blaze through the windows, painting us in molten light. I cling to his shoulders, remembering how good it felt last time. My body hums, desperate for more.

Dante breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. “You drive me insane,” he says, his voice husky.

I’m breathing hard, my mind spinning. “We can’t do this,” I murmur, even as I slide my hands over his broad chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his shirt.

He presses another kiss to my jaw, trailing a path down my throat. “Don’t say that if you don’t mean it.”

I whimper, my head tilting back involuntarily. “Dante…”

His fingers twist in my hair, tugging gently to expose my neck. A million warnings blare in my head, but my body is beyond caring. He nips the sensitive skin where neck meets shoulder and I gasp. His hand roams my waist, slipping down to the curve of my hip. The friction of his fingers against my suit is maddening, every nerve ablaze. I can’t help but press closer, inhaling the electric tension.

He walks away, flipping the small lock on the door, then draws the blinds with a remote switch. The gentle hum of mechanized shades lowering envelops us in half-darkness.

When he comes back, the hunger in his gaze makes my knees nearly buckle. “I keep thinking about the way you sounded when you came apart,” he whispers. “I have been, ever since that night.”

My cheeks burn. “It was only supposed to be that one night.”

“Supposed to be,” he agrees, stepping so close I’m practically caged between his body and the desk. “But here we are.”

His mouth claims mine again, harder this time, and I melt against him. The desk edge digs into my backside, but I’m too caught up in the moment.

He breaks the kiss just enough to growl near my ear, “Tell me you want this.”

Yes.

The word roars in my mind, but I manage a breathless protest. “We can’t keep ignoring reality.”

He catches my lower lip between his teeth, sending a bolt of pure need through me. “We’ll deal with reality later.” His hand drifts up my side, brushing the underside of my breast. “Right now, I’m going to fuck you until you scream my name.”

A moan slides past my lips and my hands tangle in his hair, pulling him down for another kiss. This time, I’m the demanding one. I nibble at his lips, fueling the fire.

He lets out a satisfied growl as he slides his hand beneath my blazer, palming the curve of my waist. Every brush of his fingers sets my skin on fire. I’m half aware of my surroundings, my notes. Any second, they could scatter to the floor if we aren’t careful.

He senses my hesitation. “Worried about your brilliant strategy?”

“I don’t want to lose it.”

He grins against my lips, stepping back just enough to move the papers to the side with a quick motion, clearing space. “Now you won’t.”

His hands find the clasp of my pants and my body clenches with anticipation.

He cups my chin, his eyes searching mine. “We can stop if you want to.”

I stare at him, my breaths coming in shallow bursts. The memory of that night crashes over me—the exquisite high, the raw intimacy, the mind-blowing desire.

“Don’t stop,” I whisper.

A pleased growl rumbles in his throat. He captures my mouth again, his tongue stroking mine in a dance that makes me dizzy. He presses me back against the desk, the edge digging into my thighs. I brace my hands on his shoulders, reveling in the hard muscle beneath my palms.

His mouth leaves mine to trail hot, urgent kisses down my neck, nibbling at my collarbone. My blazer slides off in an instant, his hand slipping beneath my blouse, grazing bare skin. I gasp, arching into him.

“Eva…”

I tug at the buttons of his shirt, undoing enough of them so I can feel his chest beneath my palms. My pulse roars in my ears, every sense sharpened by the knowledge that we’re in a high-powered corporate office; anyone could knock on the door at any moment. We’re crossing lines we can’t uncross.

But God, do I want this.

He groans when my nails scrape lightly over his skin, and I feel him shudder against me. The sound causes something to stir within me, something primal, desperate. He pushes me back against the desk, but instead of giving in to the obvious demand of our bodies, Dante drops to his knees.

My breath stutters.

“Dante—”

“Shh.” His hands slide up the outside of my thighs, pushing my skirt up along with them. His mouth follows, placing slow, searing kisses along the skin above my knee, working his way higher. He hooks his thumbs into my panties, the smirk he gives when he tugs them down devastating.

“Already so wet for me,” he murmurs.

My fingers clench against the desk as he drags his tongue along the inside of my thigh, teasing, tormenting.

“I want to hear you, Eva.” He nips at my skin, causing my body to jolt with anticipation. “I want you to be loud for me.”

I don’t get the chance to respond before he plunges his tongue into me.

A broken moan rips from my throat, my head tilting back as pleasure lances through me. His tongue moves with devastating precision, flicking and circling, tasting me like he’s savoring every second. He groans against me like I’m the most delicious thing he’s ever tasted, the sound alone nearly causing me to come undone.

My fingers fly to his hair, tugging, guiding, but he doesn’t let me control the pace. He’s determined to draw this out, to make me feel every stroke of his tongue, every hot breath against my slick heat.

My thighs tremble around his shoulders, my body strung tight, every nerve focused on the relentless pleasure he’s wringing from me. “Dante. Oh my god.”

He growls against me as his grip tightens, his tongue pressing harder, his lips sealing around my clit and sucking just right, sending a shockwave through my core. My body arches off the desk, and I see stars as my orgasm crashes over me, pleasure spiraling out from where his mouth is still working me through it.

I gasp his name, my nails digging into his scalp, legs shaking as he eases me down from the high with gentle, teasing licks. When I finally slump back against the desk, breathless and boneless, he chuckles softly, kissing my inner thigh before standing.

His eyes burn with lust as he looks at me, his mouth glistening with my arousal. He wipes his thumb across his lower lip, then licks it, like he’s savoring the taste.

“I’m not done with you yet.”

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