MasukDante'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
Gianna's POVWe stood in a secluded corner of the garden, away from the main party but close enough to watch it unfold.A waiter appeared beside us, offering fresh glasses of wine from his tray.Estelle took one with a gracious nod, then Vera, and I followed suit, the cool glass smooth against my palm."Well," Estelle said, drawing my attention back.She raised her glass slightly. "At least we can get some fun out of a party that cost Roberto and me thousands of dollars."Vera laughed, taking a sip. "The men do love their business discussions.""And my son?" Estelle's voice was filled with frustration. "Missing from his own birthday party. Can you believe it? We plan all of this, spend a fortune, and he's nowhere to be found.""He'll show up," Vera said with a shrug. "He always does.""That's not the point." Estelle took a long drink. "It's his party. He should be here. But this is what he's become since he grew up. Uncontrollable. We don't see him for weeks sometimes. Just parties an
Dante's POVMy eyes searched hers. When did my innocent bride become this bold and brazen?This wasn't the shy girl I'd married, this was someone who knew exactly how to dismantle me piece by piece.Her fingers pressed against my hardness through my pants. "I'm thinking about you inside me, finally, your hand over my mouth to keep me quiet while everyone's just rooms away. I'm thinking about how desperate you'd be, how rough, how completely you'd lose control."The images tore through my mind, her against the stone wall, red dress bunched at her hips, legs wrapped around me. My hand over her mouth while I buried myself deep. The risk of discovery as her nails scratched down my back. The bite of her teeth against my palm. Her body tightening around me as she fell apart.My hand shot to her jaw, gripping firmly to hold her still, to ground myself. "Gianna," I groaned, the sound raw.She blinked up at me, all wide-eyed innocence that didn't match the sin in her words. "You asked for i
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







