Chapter Four

Drago

It had been a week since Angel had arrived, and despite my best efforts to stay focused on business, she had infiltrated my thoughts in ways I never expected. I tried to ignore it, bury myself in work, drown in the ruthlessness that had built my empire. I spent my days as usual—forging relationships with those who would be useful to me, carrying out deals, and swiftly taking care of unfortunate matters—but no matter how much I immersed myself in the cold calculations that power demanded, she lingered in the back of my mind like a soft flame that refused to be extinguished.

This wasn't like me. I had never allowed anyone to take up residence in my thoughts. Not even my late wife had ever affected me like this. But Angel…she was different. She wasn't just beautiful—there was something about her that was beyond the physical. A quiet strength, a softness that made me wonder if perhaps I had underestimated her.

I spent the morning in meetings, overseeing my operations, enforcing deals, and ensuring that everything ran smoothly. My associates feared me, respected me. I could see it in their eyes every time I walked into a room. But despite the power I wielded for my enjoyment, there was a part of me that still found my mind wandering, drifting back to that quiet woman with her pale hair and blue eyes, the way she had stood her ground and owned her sphere despite her circumstance as my captive.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, I was restless. I dismissed my men earlier than usual, feeling an unfamiliar pull toward home. That's when I realized it had been days since I'd seen the children or checked in on how Angel was managing them. I suspected she was doing fine since I'd heard no complaints from the staff, no reports of trouble. But something in me wanted to see it for myself.

The house was quiet when I arrived, the soft murmur of voices and the clinking of dishes leading me toward the dining room. I stopped at the doorway, watching the scene unfold before me. Angel sat at the table with Liliana and Marco, helping Marco cut his food as she spoke softly to them. It was a rare sight—one I hadn't realized I missed. The children, for once, weren't bickering or tormenting anyone. They seemed…content.

But as soon as I entered the room, the atmosphere shifted. The children stiffened, their small bodies tensing with an instinctual fear that had been ingrained in them from years of my presence. I couldn't blame them. They had seen enough of my anger, my impatience, to know better than to relax around me. Yet, Angel remained calm, her gentle smile faltering only briefly as she glanced in my direction.

"Papa," Liliana said quietly, her voice a shadow of what it had been moments ago. Marco followed suit, his hands clenching his fork.

I watched them for a moment, then surprised myself by pulling out a chair and sitting down with them. This wasn't something I usually did. Family dinners had never been on my radar. But tonight, something was different.

"Shall I bring you a plate, Mr. Barone?" asked Rosa, my cook, who had come in from the kitchen with a basket of hot rolls.

"Yes, thank you," I said, nodding as she set the basket on the table within arm's reach. After she retreated, I turned towards the children.

"How's school going?" I asked.

Liliana was the first to speak, her voice measured and careful. "It's fine, Papa," she said, casting a sideways glance at Angel, her eyes daring her to say otherwise.

Angel didn't hesitate. Her blue eyes met mine, and there was no fear in them, only quiet determination. "It's not fine," she said softly but firmly. "The tutor, Miss Gustino, isn't doing her job. The children are behind in almost every subject, and if they don't get proper help soon, they'll fall back even further."

I leaned back in my chair, studying her. Most nannies wouldn't dare criticize anything in my household, let alone the education I provided for my children. But Angel wasn't most nannies. She wasn't afraid to speak up, even in front of the children. "Is that so?" I asked, more curious than accusatory.

She didn't flinch. "The children deserve better. They deserve someone who cares about their future. If Miss Gustino is not equipped, we need to hire someone new—or I can take over their lessons myself."

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised by her offer. "You want to tutor them? Tell me, why should I choose you?"

She held my gaze, unwavering. "Because they will need a proper education to continue your legacy. They both have a great deal of potential, but without being held accountable, they cannot learn how to hone their strengths or use them wisely. They require someone who is strong enough and patient enough to help them grow. And that person is me."

Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, I was taken aback by the conviction in her voice. She wasn't saying this out of obligation or for praise—she genuinely cared about the children's well-being. It was rare to see that kind of devotion, especially from someone I had essentially forced into this role.

Liliana's expression darkened, and I noticed something strange. Her eyes flickered red for a brief second, like the demonic fire that sometimes ran through my own veins, a heritage passed down from my cursed bloodline. I tensed, recognizing the signs. She had inherited it—the dark influence, the power that pulsed through our family. The same fire that burned within me was beginning to show itself in her.

Before I could process it, Marco grabbed a bread roll from the basket and hurled it at Angel, a small act of defiance that I might have overlooked on a normal day. But today, it struck me differently.

Angel didn't even flinch as the roll hit her shoulder and tumbled to the floor. Her reaction was calm, composed, almost serene. She turned to the servant standing nearby and spoke softly. "Please take Marco's plate away. He's done eating for tonight."

Marco's eyes widened in surprise. He looked up at her, expecting some kind of argument or apology, but there was none. She didn't back down. She had delivered her judgment with quiet authority, and he had no choice but to accept it. His anger simmered beneath the surface, but he slouched in his seat, defeated.

I watched the exchange with growing interest. Angel wasn't afraid of them, wasn't afraid of me. She wasn't just teaching them discipline—she was teaching them respect. The way she had handled my son, not with harshness, but with steady control, impressed me. Few people in my world commanded that kind of respect without resorting to fear.

Angel turned back to me, her soft smile returning. "The current tutor simply can't handle them."

I studied her for a long moment, considering her words. She was right. Patricia Gustino was weak, easily manipulated, and the children had learned to take advantage of that. It was time to fix the problem. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention," I said, giving her a nod of appreciation.

Angel, Liliana, and I finished dinner quietly after that, the tension in the room slowly dissipating.

As Rosa came in to retrieve the empty plates, I stood and gestured for Angel to put the children to bed. "Meet me in my office afterward. We'll take care of this situation regarding the tutor tonight."

Angel nodded, her expression calm and composed as she led the children upstairs. I watched them go, my mind still processing the changes I had witnessed in such a short time. She had made an impact—not just on the children, but on me. There was something about the way she moved through my world with such grace, as though she belonged in it despite the danger, despite the darkness.

I made my way to my office and sat behind the massive oak desk. Picking up my phone, I sent a text to have the tutor brought to me. As I waited for the women, I made a call to one of my clients, an arms dealer I had worked with for years. I had heard rumors of him finding a new supplier, someone undercutting my prices, and I needed answers.

"Antonio," I greeted him curtly when he picked up. "My sources tell me you're doing business elsewhere. Who's your new supplier?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.

The man on the other end hesitated, his breath catching. "Drago…you know I can't tell you that."

"You will tell me," I said, my voice filled with an icy threat.

There was silence, followed by a reluctant sigh. "I'm sorry, Drago. I can't. My hands are tied."

I clenched my jaw, the anger building inside me like a storm. The call ended without resolution, but the fury that simmered beneath my skin remained. Someone was stepping into my territory, and I intended to find out who.

I summoned Reaper, my right-hand man. I'd given him the nickname when I'd first taken him under my wing and it suited him well. When he entered the office, his presence was as imposing as always—tattooed, scarred, and deadly. "We have a problem," I said, my voice dark. "There's a mole in the organization. Someone's feeding information to a competitor, and it's costing me. I want you to find out who it is. Do whatever it takes."

Reaper's expression didn't change. He nodded once, his voice gruff. "Consider it done."

As Reaper left, the door opened again, and Angel entered with the tutor, Patricia. The young woman looked terrified, her eyes wide and bulging as she stuttered through her excuses. "The children are...progressing well, Mr. Barone. They're learning…slowly, but they're getting there."

Angel, standing beside her, didn't let her continue the lie. "That's not true," she said calmly. "Marco can't even recite the alphabet, and Liliana can barely read. They're far behind where they should be."

Patricia's face flushed, her eyes darting between me and Angel, her voice trembling. "They…they don't like to learn. They refuse to cooperate. They threaten me and say they'll tell you lies about me if I don't let them do what they want."

Angel sighed, disappointment evident in her gaze. "They're children, Miss Gustino. It's your job to teach them, no matter how difficult they are. You can't let them control you."

I leaned back in my chair, arms folded. Angel was right. The other woman wasn't fit for her role, and the children had been neglected for too long. "What do you think should happen?" I asked Angel.

Her answer came without hesitation. "Miss Gustino should be dismissed for the good of the children's future."

I nodded, my decision already made. "So be it." I punched the intercom button on the telephone console on my desk.

"Milo, come escort Miss Gustino to gather her things and show her out."

The door to my office opened a moment later, revealing the hulking figure of my guard. The tutor didn't dare to meet my eyes as she hurried from the room under his watchful gaze. Once they were gone, I turned my attention back to Angel. "I want you to tutor the children for now. You've already shown you can handle them better than anyone else."

She didn't look surprised, though her eyes softened with concern. "I'll do it," she said, "but Liliana needs to go to school. She needs to socialize with other children her age. If I work with her, she could be ready for first grade next year. I think a private academy would be best."

I considered her words, the sincerity in her voice. She wasn't just offering a solution—she was offering a future for my children, something I hadn't truly considered before. "I'll think about it," I said, my voice softer than usual. "Thank you."

Angel smiled and left my office, leaving me feeling a rare sense of peace that I hardly knew what to make of. I'd never trusted anyone to make decisions on my behalf or about what was important to me. The fact that I'd just allowed her to do so struck me with wonder. For once, my demon felt tamed, and I slept more soundly that night than I could remember.

***

The next day, I found myself wanting to join Angel and the children for dinner again. My evenings were usually filled with late-night meetings or a workout session, followed by a solitary meal or the company of a whore whose name I would never remember. But tonight, I felt the pull of home, of witnessing more of the changes that had begun to take root under Angel's care. I sent a message to my staff before leaving the office to alert them that I would be joining my children and their nanny again for the evening meal.

When I entered the dining room, the children were again already seated, their eyes darting to me with a mixture of fear and curiosity. But Angel, ever the steady presence, greeted me with a soft smile, as if my joining them was perfectly natural.

"How was your day?" I asked, my gaze shifting between the three of them.

The children mumbled a few grumbled responses, barely audible. "Fine," Liliana muttered, stabbing her fork into her plate.

But when I looked at Angel, her smile didn't falter. "We have some growing pains," she admitted with a gentle laugh, "but it's going to be okay."

Her calm reassurance stirred something inside me. She wasn't just managing them—she was guiding them, teaching them, in a way that no one else had been able to. "If they give you trouble, call me," I said, my voice low but serious. "Though it seems like you're handling them just fine."

Angel smiled, a soft blush rising to her cheeks. "I don't have a way to call you," she admitted.

I frowned, realizing the oversight. "I'll have a phone for you by the end of the night," I promised.

The rest of dinner passed in a comfortable silence, the children eating without fuss and Angel maintaining her calm presence, just like the night before. Once dinner was done, she stood to take the children upstairs, but I stopped her with a gesture. "After you've put them to bed, I want to see you in my office."

I retreated there, pacing the room as I waited for her. Something about her—her poise, her unshakeable serenity—had drawn me in deeper than I had anticipated. I wasn't used to being intrigued by anyone, especially not someone as soft- spoken as Angel. But there was more to her than met the eye. I could feel it in the way she held herself, the quiet strength that simmered just beneath the surface.

When she entered the office a short while later, I had already prepared a device for her. I handed the smartphone to her without a word, watching as her fingers brushed against mine as she took it. The brief contact sent a jolt of warmth through me, unexpected and powerful.

"Here," I said, my voice low. "This is yours now. You can reach me anytime."

She nodded, slipping the phone into her pocket before pausing. "May I speak freely?"

I leaned back in my chair, gesturing for her to continue. "Go ahead."

Angel took a deep breath, her blue eyes locking onto mine. "It's obvious that the children lack the affection they need from a parent. I'm not saying you're a bad father, but they've been cared for by too many nannies. They need stability, consistency. They're testing boundaries with me, but that's because they've never had anyone stay long enough to show them they care. It's not going to be easy, but I'll get through to them."

Her words hit harder than I expected, cutting through the armor I had built around myself. I wasn't used to hearing the truth spoken so plainly, especially not about my own children. She wasn't accusing me—there was no judgment in her tone—but the truth was undeniable.

"How many nannies have they had?" she inquired.

I sighed, running a hand through my dark hair. "I lost count at ten."

Her expression softened, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. "They need someone who won't leave. Someone who can be a constant in their lives."

I found myself more intrigued by her with every passing moment. She was different, unlike anyone I had ever met. There was a strength in her that belied her gentle demeanor, a resolve that made me want to know more. "Tell me about yourself, Miss Rossi," I said, shifting the conversation. "What about your personal life? Any relationships?"

Her blush deepened, and I could see the discomfort flicker across her face. She looked away, her hands fidgeting slightly as she stammered for a response. It didn't take long for me to realize the truth.

She was a virgin.

The thought hit me like a spark igniting dry tinder, the heat spreading through me in an instant. It wasn't just her innocence that excited me—it was the knowledge that she had kept herself untouched, untainted by the world around her. My demon stirred, the dark, primal side of me that craved possession, dominance. The fire that burned in my veins wanted her, needed her, in a way I hadn't anticipated.

Without thinking, I closed the distance between us. My hand reached for her, fingers brushing her cheek, and before she could react, I leaned in and kissed her.

The moment my lips touched hers, it was like fire and ice colliding—an explosion of heat that seared through me, setting every nerve on fire. Her lips were soft, trembling beneath mine, and the taste of her was sweeter than anything I had ever experienced.

My demon surged to the surface, demanding more, wanting to claim her entirely. It wasn't just lust—it was something deeper, something more powerful. She wasn't just a woman who had stumbled into my life by chance.

Angel was mine.