Chapter 47

Chapter 47


Gabriel Dantas

I walk into the company’s reception with tense muscles and a clenched jaw. My steps are quick and firm, and I make no effort to hide the discomfort weighing on my chest.

Silas crossed every line today. The way he circles around me, like I belong to him… it won’t take long for Leonardo to find out. And honestly? I’m starting to think it’d be better to just tell him everything.

I press the elevator button and tap my fingers against the cappuccino cup while the doors open. I step in and face my reflection in the mirrored walls. My eyes burn with anger, but there’s a hint of unease too. Not because I’m afraid of Silas—far from it. What worries me is the damage that man can cause.

The elevator reaches the executive office floor. I take a deep breath before walking down the sleek, dark wood hallway. When I push open the door, I find Leonardo sitting behind his desk, focused on a folder stuffed with documents.

— Brought your coffee — I announce, extending the cup.

He looks up, offers a faint smile, and answers with that deep tone that always gets to me:

— Double cappuccino, no sugar... You really know me.

I nod and sit on the black leather couch, keeping my gaze on the floor. My mind won’t stop racing, replaying that encounter with Silas—his threatening tone, the way he whispered those poisonous words.

Leonardo notices quickly.

— Did something happen? — he asks, setting the folder aside and watching me closely.

— Nothing worth your concern — I reply, trying to sound convincing.

He leans forward, crossing his arms on the desk, his gaze sharp.

— Tell me. You know I hate secrets. Our contract requires honesty. Don’t play with that, Gabriel.

I lift the cup to my lips and take a slow sip, trying to find the right words. No point in hiding. Might as well get it out.

— Fine. I won’t hide it. Silas has been showing up a lot lately. Almost every day, he comes by the café like it’s coincidence. Always tries to talk, push, intimidate...

Leonardo’s jaw tightens. He leans back, grips the cup tightly, and mutters through clenched teeth:

— Son of a bitch… He’s surrounding you.

— Yeah — I reply. — But let me be clear. I’m not encouraging it. I don’t like him, I’ve never given him an opening. I know he’s rich, influential, has that magnate status... But the way he tries to own me disgusts me.

Leonardo lets out a short, humorless laugh.

— He’s a bastard. But don’t forget something... I’m possessive too.

— I know — I murmur, staring into the cup. — But with Silas, it’s not just possessiveness… it’s sick. The kind of control he wants is toxic. And I won’t allow it.

He runs a hand through his beard, a gesture that always means he’s about to make a decision.

— That man needs a reminder. He’s married, right?

I lift my eyes, surprised.

— Why do you want to know?

— I can’t explain it yet. But I’m going to put that bastard in his place. I won’t let anyone try to take you from me.

He gets up, walks over, and stops right in front of me. His gray-green eyes lock onto mine with intensity.

— You’re mine, Gabriel. And anyone who tries to touch you will regret it.

His words send a chill down my spine. There’s real danger in them—a silent promise of chaos. Leonardo doesn’t speak on impulse. Once he decides something, he follows through.

— I just want peace — I mutter, more to myself than to him.

— And that’s what I’ll give you. Peace. But first... I need to teach Silas that there are things he can’t buy. Can’t force. And sure as hell can’t desire.

His fingers brush my face, and for a second, I forget the outside world. The anger I brought from the café starts to fade, but deep down, I know this isn’t over.

Silas will be back. And Leonardo... will be waiting.

I decide to spend the rest of the afternoon buried in reports. I need to keep my mind busy before it starts chewing through everything that happened today.

I focus on spreadsheets, organize contracts, and go through the emails I let pile up. Meanwhile, Leonardo dives back into his stack of documents. The silence in the office is comfortable—until it’s broken by a knock at the door, annoyingly polite.

I glance up without lifting my head. I already know who it is, and judging by Leonardo’s eye-roll, so does he.

— Here to pick up the documents, aren’t you, Adrian? — he asks, voice laced with boredom and a hint of irritation.

Adrian opens the door slowly, with that fake-humble vibe, but he reeks of smugness. The dyed blond hair is borderline ridiculous. Fake smile, shirt too tight, and that aura of someone convinced everyone is in love with him.

— Yes — he replies, voice as sweet as poisoned honey. — Vinícius asked me to pick them up. Said you’d already reviewed them.

Leonardo nods and grabs the folder from the desk.

— Already analyzed and signed. Take it.

He hands over the documents, but Adrian doesn’t take them immediately. His eyes linger on Leonardo’s face a second longer than necessary.

A look laced with intent, even if wrapped in the whole just doing my job act.

Leonardo notices too. His expression hardens, though he keeps things formal.

— You can go now, Adrian. You got what you came for.

— All right — he replies, trying to sound innocent. — I’m on my way.

Before leaving, Adrian throws me a sideways glance. In any other situation, it might’ve made me laugh. Wouldn’t surprise me if he winked, pretending he doesn’t see me as competition.

The door clicks shut behind him, but I wish I’d slammed it in his face.

I murmur, almost without thinking:

— Fake-ass centipede...

Leonardo looks up with curiosity, holding back a laugh.

— Are you jealous, little goat?

I adjust my glasses slowly, just to mask my irritation.

— Me? Jealous of that blue-eyed centipede? Not even a little.

He bursts into laughter. I like the sound, but I don’t give in.

— “Blue-eyed centipede”? — he repeats, mocking. — That’s a new one.

— Exactly — I reply, crossing my arms. — Seems harmless… but it’s nothing more than a venomous bug. If you slip up, it’ll strike.

Leonardo stands, walks over to me, and leans against the edge of the desk, still laughing.

— So you think he wants me?

— He’s not exactly hiding it — I shoot back, looking him dead in the eyes. — And you’re not blind. You know he’s been devouring you with his eyes for weeks.

He raises an eyebrow, amused.

— Interesting how much you notice that…

— Because I don’t trust fake people. Especially when they get too close to what’s mine.

The laughter fades from his face, replaced by something... darker. Almost feral.

— I like it when you talk like that.

— Like what? — I ask, playing innocent.

— With that tone of someone who wants to mark me. Make it clear no one else can come close.

I smirk slightly.

— I’m just stating the obvious. I’m not the type to stay quiet when I see a pest crawling into my territory.

Leonardo steps even closer, leans in, and whispers:

— I’m your territory, is that it?

— You know damn well you are.

He pulls back slowly, satisfied with the answer, and returns to his desk—still wearing that arrogant smile.

— Then don’t worry about the centipede... I only feed on one obsession. And it has a name.

I don’t reply right away, but inside, my chest warms—not just from the jealousy, but from knowing that even surrounded by snakes, he still chooses me.