LOGINDante's POV"Gianna?" He smiled, that same charming smile I remembered, as he handed me one of my books. "What a coincidence."I stood slowly, clutching my bag. "Niccolò. What are you doing here? When did you transfer?""Just this semester." He straightened, looking completely at ease. "I needed a change of scenery."I didn't believe him for a second."You look well," he continued. "How have you been?""Great, actually." I forced a smile."I'm glad to hear it." His eyes were friendly, but something about his presence set me on edge. "It's so good to see you. I had no idea we'd be attending the same school. This is going to be fun.""Yeah. Fun." I glanced toward the rows of seats. "I should... I'm late for class.""Of course."I moved past him, choosing a seat near the middle of the room. To my dismay, Niccolò followed and slid into the seat right next to mine."Looks like we're in the same class," he gestured around pleasantly.My eyes widened in shock. "Wait... are you majoring in Bu
Gianna's POVThe sound of engines interrupted us. Two black SUVs drove up the circular driveway and parked in front of us. Four guards I didn't recognize got out. Bruno stood by the first vehicle, but three other men were positioned around the second, all wearing suits that barely concealed their weapons.My stomach dropped."What the hell is this?" I gestured at the convoy. "Are we transporting nuclear codes?""It's your security detail for school.""My what?" My voice climbed several octaves. "Dante, no. Absolutely not.""It's not negotiable.""The hell it isn't!" I spun to face him fully. "We talked about this during the honeymoon and you agreed to be reasonable!""This is reasonable.""Sending in a small army is not reasonable!""Call it whatever you like. This is it.""Bruno is fine," I argued. "More than fine. He's practically a one-man army.""Bruno is excellent. But he's one person, and you're going to be on a university campus with thousands of potential threats.""They're c
Gianna's POVIt had been over a week since we'd returned from the honeymoon, and I'd settled back into the house. This time as a wife and it was home.Dante had encouraged me to make changes, interior adjustments that reflected both of us rather than just his stark, masculine tastes. Warmer colors in the sitting room. Fresh flowers in the hallways. Small touches that made the estate feel less like a fortress and more like a place where we actually lived.Everything felt perfect. Every time I closed my eyes, I could still feel the breeze from the island, still picture the nights under the stars. The intimate moments we shared underneath the stars.I hummed softly, eyes closed, lost in the memory."More pancakes, Mrs. DeLuca?"Heat crept up my cheeks as I looked up from my plate to find Grace hovering with a fresh stack, with that familiar motherly smile I'd missed.Around the massive dining table, the entire household had gathered for breakfast on my request.Dante at the head looked l
Dante's POVI kissed down her neck, finding her pulse point and sucking hard enough to leave a mark. She arched beneath me, her body bowing off the bed. My hands found her breasts through the wet dress, squeezing roughly, teasing her nipples until she was moaning my name like a prayer."Gianna, I need a moment," I tried to pull back, knowing if I didn't stop now, I wouldn't be able to. "To slow down or I'll...""No," she protested, and before I could react, she'd used her momentum to maneuver us, pushing me onto my back and straddling me in one smooth motion.Her hands pressed against my chest, caressing, exploring, her touch leaving fire in its wake. "Dante, you make me so crazy. I want you so much I can't think straight."I gripped her hips hard enough to leave fingerprints, pulling her down for a bruising kiss. "I want you right back. But you said... the doctor said we had to wait..."She kissed my neck, her teeth grazing my skin, her fingers working at the buttons of my shirt with
Gianna chuckled, and fury flashed through me."What?" I demanded. "You're mocking my feelings?""No!" She waved her hand, still smiling, seemingly oblivious to the danger she was in. "No, I'm not. It's just... I never thought I'd see the great Dante DeLuca worry about another man.""I'm not too proud to acknowledge my shortcomings.""Being older isn't a shortcoming." She stood, moving around the table with that graceful sway of her hips, sliding into my lap like she belonged there. Her arms wrapped around my neck, fingers threading through my hair. "On the contrary, I appreciate your experience. Everything you've taught me.""You say that now, but..."She pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me. "I know we met under unconventional circumstances. You bought me, caged me, broke my soul and body until I was completely yours." Her smile turned wicked, dangerous. "And somehow, through all of that, I fell for you. You have my heart, Dante. You have nothing to worry about."Warning bells
Dante's POV Everything had to be perfect. The table had already been set by the beach. Candles were lit inside glass holders, a bottle of wine sat waiting in a silver bucket, and strings of lights hung between the palm trees, lighting up the sand. I'd left Gianna about an hour ago, claiming I needed to handle some business calls. The truth was, I needed time alone to set this up and make sure every detail was exactly right. The honeymoon would be over soon. We would return to the real world, to my responsibilities, to the chaos that came with being who I was. But tonight was ours. A moment life had offered us, and I wanted to treasure every second of it. I was so glad we had come here, that I had planned this, that she was mine. Even if the waiting was killing me. My cock stirred at the thought, already half hard despite the cold shower I had taken earlier. Six more goddamn days before I could bury myself inside her again, feel her tight heat wrapped around me with nothing betw
Dante's POVI shot Bruno a hard look, barely holding myself together."What was so urgent that you could not wait for me to come down?" I muttered, not bothering to face him.I pushed away from the door and started down the room."Apologies, Don." He followed behind me, his heavy steps scraping at
Dante's POV I hadn’t expected breakfast to be simple, but I didn’t expect it to nearly blow up in my face either. When I walked in and heard the way my sister-in-law and my daughter spoke to Gianna, so condescending and cruel, I saw the hurt in Gianna’s eyes, and it broke me in ways I couldn’t exp
Gianna's POVMy breath hitched. "What?""Do you dream of me touching you?" His hands moved lower, trailing down my stomach, his fingers splaying possessively over my skin. "Like this?"No. I could not admit that. Could not give him that power. "No."He chuckled darkly against my neck, the sound mak
Dante's POV Because you matter to me more than you should. Because the thought of losing you makes me want to burn the world down. Because I would bleed a thousand times before I let anything happen to you.But I could not say any of that. Not yet. Not when she was still looking at me like I was t







