Chapter 1
Venus was twenty. Just graduated from college, and this summer was supposed to be her last taste of freedom before reality came crashing down. She had flown out with her friends after months of saving up, choosing a coastal Sicilian town for its nightlife, history, and promise of escape and relaxation.
Her long blue dyed curls spilled down her back, glowing in the sunlight as she walked the narrow cobblestone street with her friends. She wore shorts that showed ink etched into her brown sun kissed thighs. A tattoo spiraled down her right inner forearm, now half covered by bracelets that she bought from the locals, charms that promised to ward bad energy and evil eyes.
Her loud mix group of friends caught curious and annoying glances from locals and tourists alike as they laughed and matched down the streets, still hangover from last night.
The café the ducked into was small but cozy, and its shaded balcony offered a view of the sparkling blue sea. The aroma of coffee and the scents of pastries and breakfast hit them as they walked in and their stomachs growled in protest. Venus was busy looking around in awe and didn't notice him at first.
But he noticed her.
Caesar sat alone at the corner table facing the entrance. Two men in tailored suits too formal for the café, lingered near the door, another by the bar pretending to read the paper. Caesar Salvatore wasn't just dangerous. He was rich with old and new money and vast connections. Some said his family descended from conquerors, and others whispered they were cursed. Either way, Caesar carried it in his presence, something timeless and dangerous wrapped in black silk and steel.
Venus ordered at the counter, leaning slightly on one hip, her curvy figure pulling eyes even without trying. She felt someone watching, a pull she couldn't resist, with goosebumps crawling up her skin. She looked up and met his blue eyes, dark and unyielding, a stare that seemed to burn itself into her skin.
It should have been fleeting. She should've looked away. But she didn't.
Her friends were chatting nearby, teasing one of the guys for mispronouncing the menu, but Venus couldn't pull her gaze from the man in the corner. He didn't look away either.
The air shifted, even the city seemed to hold its breath.
Caesar leaned back, lips curving into something that wasn't quite a smile, more like a smirk of possession rather than amusement.
For the first time, the most feared man in the underworld wasn't the hunter.
He was the prey.
He had just been caught.
Thank you so much for reading Chapter 1 of Claimed by Caesar!🖤✨
I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment or emoji below! 💬
