After His Betrayal, I Became His Mother-in-Law

Juliana's POV

"Dante Landini?"

Sofia's cup hit the floor, brown liquid splashing across the expensive carpet. "Are you telling me you went to the Landini estate with the Goddamn King of the Underworld?"

I nearly lunged across the desk to cover her mouth. "Keep your voice down, Sof."

"How can I keep my voice down? That's Dante Landini! The man eats people for breakfast!" Sofia worked in a Landini club; she knew the weight of that name better than anyone.

"I didn't have a choice," I said, slumping in my chair, utterly drained. "And that's not even the worst of it."

I told Sofia everything, including Marco's offer to make me his mistress.

"That goddamn animal!" Sofia was shaking with rage. "He wants you on the side? After marrying someone else? I'm going to kill him."

"Killing him won't help. I need money, now." I covered my face with my hands. "There's no way I can come up with five million dollars."

We both fell silent. Then, her face suddenly lit up.

Sofia grabbed my wrist. "Wait. You said Dante gave you his shirt?"

I nodded. "It was to cover myself."

"No, Jules, you don't get how these men think."

"Don't you get it? He's interested in you. A man like that doesn't give a woman his shirt unless he wants the connection to continue. I've worked at his club for years, and you're the first woman I've ever heard of him helping."

I stared at her, dumbfounded. "Dante isn't interested in me. He gave me a jacket because I needed one."

"Why would he care?" Sofia asked. "He's Dante Landini. Besides, you said he kissed you passionately. There was clearly chemistry between you."

"He was a gentleman, but that doesn't mean he's going to hand me five million dollars."

"Money is just a number to a man like him. He doesn't need more of it. He wants a thrill. Something that makes him feel like he's losing control."

Sofia suddenly pulled open her handbag and rummaged inside, producing a small crystal vial.

"This is 'Siren's Kiss,'" she said, her voice low. "It's a pheromone oil. The top girls at the club can't even get their hands on it. They say one drop can drive the most disciplined man wild. Stir up his most primitive, possessive instincts."

I stared at the vial. "You want me to drug him?"

"It's not a drug, it's an enhancer. It just amplifies desire."

"Jules, this is your only chance. Marco wants to humiliate you, to turn you into his cheap plaything. But what if you become Dante Landini's woman?"

"He's Marco's father-in-law," I said, my voice trembling.

"Exactly! It's the perfect revenge!" Sofia gripped my shoulders. "Go tonight. Wear your sexiest dress, use this, and tell Dante you're his. If you have to sell yourself, at least sell to the most powerful man in New York."

It was the craziest decision I had ever made in my life.

That evening, I stood before the heavy, fortress-like doors of the Landini estate.

A black trench coat was wrapped tightly around my body. Underneath, I wore nothing but an expensive set of black lace lingerie, which I had originally bought for my wedding night.

Following Sofia's instructions, I had dabbed the oil behind my ears, on my wrists, and at the hollow of my throat.

The scent was faint, yet it carried a sweet, intoxicating note that, mixed with my body heat, made even my own head feel a little dizzy.

Inside the high-ceilinged foyer, a housekeeper in a crisp black uniform looked me up and down. Her gaze lingered on my worn heels and the way I clutched my coat.

"I'm here to see Don Landini."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but..."

"Then I must ask you to leave. Countless women come here demanding to see the Don. He is a busy man and has no time for girls trying to climb into his bed." She dismissed me without a second glance.

My cheeks burned with shame. As I stood there, unsure of what to do, the heavy double doors of a side hall swung open.

But then a man's low voice cut through the air. "Who gave you the authority to turn away my guest?"