MasukDante's POV "Isn't it obvious?" Her voice cracked. "Nothing is obvious!" I roared. "Nothing about you makes sense to me! One minute you kiss me like you want me, like you're begging me to touch you, then you pull away. Fuck... on our wedding night... you broke my heart..." I stopped, the words catching in my throat. "You told me you didn't want me to make love to you. Do you have any idea what that did to me? How the hell do you think that made me feel? A man doesn't just get over his wife saying she didn't want him to touch her. After everything... I thought finally we could have a real marriage..." I ran both hands through my hair. "Just say it. Say what you mean." "We've talked about this," she said, her voice shaking. "All through this honeymoon, I've been trying to fix things between us. I've told you why..." "No, you haven't told me a damn thing that makes sense! You want me to trust you? Then speak plainly!" "I didn't say no for the reasons you think..." "Then why did yo
Dante's POV I practically dragged Gianna by the arm into the room, my fingers wrapped tight enough around her wrist so she couldn't break free. I slammed the door behind us with a force that rattled the frame. She stumbled forward, yanking her arm free from my hold. "Dante..." "I gave you one fucking instruction," I cut her off, my rage overtaking me. "Just a few simple minutes where all you had to do was sit and wait for me." I moved toward her, watching the way she backed up instinctively, her breath coming faster. "Then I return to find you dancing with the same little boy from the pool, the one who couldn't keep his hands off you, who just happens to be Matteo, Roberto's son." Her chest heaved as she stared at me, those eyes flashing between fear and fury. "It was just a dance, Dante. He insisted, and I said yes because I thought..." "You thought what?" I took another step forward, and she took one back. "It would be polite? That letting another man put his hands on you was
Dante's POV"Dante, please!" Gianna's voice cracked behind me. "Don't...""He's my son, Dante!"Roberto's voice cut through the garden. I turned my head, the gun staying level.Roberto charged toward us, his shoes pounding against the stone path. Behind him, Cesare's hand went to his weapon."You shot my fucking son!" Roberto's face went purple, veins bulging at his temples. "Have you lost your goddamn mind?!"My hand stilled on the trigger.His son.I looked down at Matteo, blood seeping between his fingers, then back to Roberto. The jaw, the eyes, the same shape."I didn't know." The words ground out between my teeth."That's not a fucking excuse!" Roberto's hands flew up. "So you just shoot first and ask questions later?!"My chest heaved, the gun refusing to shake."He tried to forcefully kiss my wife." Each word came out unforgiving. "What the hell was I supposed to do?""Talk!" Roberto threw his arms wide, his voice echoing across the garden. "Use your fucking words before you u
Dante's POV "What's it going to be, Roberto?" Roberto set his cigar down. "I'm in." Something shifted inside me, but I kept my face blank. "But this can never get out," Roberto said, his voice hard. "If word spreads that I sold out a client..." "It won't." "Everyone says that in negotiations until it does." Roberto leaned forward. "I've built my reputation on discretion. One rumor that I betrayed Lorenzo Giovanni, and I'm done. No one will do business with me again." "Lorenzo Giovanni will be dead," I countered. "Dead men don't talk. Dead men don't spread rumors." "And his men? His associates?" "Will think it was a rival hit. An ambush. Bad luck." I met his eyes. "There's no trail back to you, Roberto. Lorenzo's already dead to the world. We're just making it permanent." Cesare stepped closer. "Our families are allies now. That means something. You're protected." Roberto studied us both, then slowly nodded. "Alright. But we do this clean." Blood rushed through my veins. Th
Dante's POV"Got it, got it." The one called Luca raised his hands. "We were just looking for you. Come dance. It's your birthday. Stop babysitting and have some fun.""I'm good here.""Seriously?" Stefano groaned. "You're going to spend your birthday playing bodyguard? Come on. One drink. One dance. Then you can come back to whatever this is."They grumbled but eventually wandered back toward the party, glancing over their shoulders as they left."You can join your friends," I said once they'd gone. "I'll be fine. I don't need a babysitter.""No." Matteo shook his head. "I'm following my mother's orders, protecting you. Besides, if I leave your side, all those guys will flock over here.""I'm not so sure they care about me." I glanced toward the party. "They seem to be having fun on their own.""Their eyes have been on you this whole time." Matteo moved closer. "You, in that dress."I stepped back. "Thanks."He followed. "I'm serious. You look incredible. That dress fits you perfectl
Anna's POV"Matteo!" Estelle's voice was filled with disapproval. "Do you have any idea what time it is? You nearly gave me a heart attack.""I know, I know, I'm sorry." He held up his hands in mock surrender, still grinning. "I couldn't help myself. I saw you all out here and thought I'd make an entrance."Estelle shook her head."Your father is furious," she continued. "Late to your own birthday dinner? Where have you been?"Matteo ran a hand through his hair."I lost track of time. There was this important deal I had to close with Luca before showing up.""Excuses." Estelle cut him off, but her voice held more exasperation than real anger. "You're unbelievable.""I'm sorry, Mamma." He kissed her cheek, then turned to Vera. "Aunt Vera, you look beautiful as always.""Flattery won't save you." Vera smiled despite herself. "Your father really is upset.""I'll apologize to him. I swear." Matteo's gaze finally landed on me. Recognition flashed across his face. "And who's this?"My heart
Dante's POVI rewarded her plea by taking the peaked nipple between my lips and sucking hard. Her cry of pleasure made my cock leak against her thigh."Oh!" She moaned, her hands flying to my hair.I worked her nipple with my tongue, circling it, flicking it, feeling it harden even more. "You like
Dante's POV Gianna turned around, legs trembling beneath her. My eyes tracked every motion, devouring the sight of her naked body like a starving man presented with a feast. Damn, she was perfection. The elegant curve of her spine called to my lips. The way her waist dipped before flaring into t
Gianna's POV "But I was wrong." He met my eyes again. "You're still looking for reasons not to trust me. Still putting up walls. And I don't know what else to do, Gianna. I don't know how else to prove to you that this is real for me." Guilt washed over me. "I'm sorry. I just..." "Don't push it.
Dante's POV"What?" I stared at Bruno, fury and disbelief flooding through me. Who would dare such a thing on a day like this? "How the fuck did that happen?"Gianna's hand tightened in mine."Wait, how is that possible?" She looked between us. "I thought the entire estate security was heavily guar







