LOGINDANTE'S POV"Since you asked so nicely." The sarcasm in her voice made my fist clench against the sheets, but then she began to stroke, measured and purposeful, her hand moving from base to tip and back again.The sensation was exquisite torture. Every nerve ending came alive under her touch, pleasure coursing through me in waves. My hips moved of their own accord, thrusting into her grip, seeking more.She adjusted her grip, twisting slightly on the upstroke in a way that made stars explode behind my eyes. Her other hand cupped me below, adding another layer of sensation that had me gasping."Look at you." She murmured, her voice husky. "So desperate for me. So needy.""You're killing me." I managed to get out between gritted teeth."Pretty sure I'm doing the opposite." She increased her pace slightly, her thumb swiping over the tip on each upstroke. "This is revenge, by the way. For taking control when I was supposed to be in charge.""Remind me to take control more often." The wor
DANTE'S POVI claimed Gianna's lips fiercely, swallowing whatever protest she'd been about to make. This conversation was over. Now there was only this, only us.My hands tightened on her waist, pulling her closer until no space remained between our bodies. The kiss deepened, grew more demanding. All the weeks of distance and longing coalesced into this single moment of desperate need.Gianna's fingers tangled in my hair, her body arching into mine as a soft sound escaped her throat. That sound went straight through me, igniting every nerve ending.I walked her backward toward the desk, my mouth never leaving hers. When the edge of the mahogany pressed against her thighs, I lifted her onto it in one smooth motion.Pain lanced through my shoulder. I bit back a curse, my grip faltering for just a moment."Dante." Gianna pulled back immediately, her hands going to my shoulders. "Your injury. We shouldn't...""I'm fine." My voice came out rougher than I intended. I recaptured her mouth, s
DANTE'S POVMy forehead nearly touched hers, my breath coming harsh and uneven. "But you didn't want to give me justice. Because when it mattered most, you were still loyal to that monster who never cared for you, who used you, who...""I couldn't..." The words came out as barely a whisper."You don't get to cry." My voice softened despite the anger still burning in my chest. "You're not the victim here.""I know." Tears streamed freely down her face now. "I know, and I'm so sorry. God, Dante, I wish I could take it back. I wish...""But you can't." I pushed away from the wall, running my hands through my hair in frustration. "Fuck, I hate seeing you cry. This is exactly why I didn't want to talk about it."I paced across the room, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. "I keep trying to wrap my head around it. What didn't I do? What wasn't enough to make you trust me, to make you choose me over him?""It wasn't about what you didn't do." She wiped at her tears with shaking hands. "Y
DANTE'S POV"What the hell are you talking about?" The words came out harsher than I intended, rough with immediate rejection."Let me do this." She turned to face me, her eyes pleading. "Please. I'm what Lorenzo wants most. What if I use myself to draw him out? Make him think I'm vulnerable, separated from you. He'll come for me, and when he does, you'll be ready.""That's a great idea." Russo nodded enthusiastically, his face lighting up. "Finally, a solid plan."My hand slammed down on the table hard enough to make several men jump, hard enough to send pain shooting through my injured shoulder."No." I stood, ignoring the agony that lanced through my body. "That's not an idea. I'm not putting my wife's life at risk.""She's offering herself." Russo spread his hands, his tone reasonable. "This is the only way to draw Lorenzo out. To end this once and for all.""That is not happening." I leaned forward, my voice dropping to a growl. "My wife is not using herself as bait. Lorenzo is a
DANTE'S POV The insult hung in the air. Beside me, Gianna tensed, but her face remained perfectly composed. A poker face that would've done any professional gambler proud. I leaned back in my chair, ignoring the pull on my shoulder. "Interesting question, Carlo." I let my gaze travel over him slowly, deliberately. "Tell me, how are your wives doing? Oh wait, that's right. Both of them left you. What was it, over a year ago? And you still haven't found them." His face flushed dark red, the color creeping up from his collar. "Your own house isn't even in order." I continued, my voice taking on a harder edge. "We all know why they ran. Your toxic masculinity, your fists flying every time you felt disrespected. You beat them both until they couldn't take it anymore, and they disappeared into the night. Two women so terrified of you they'd rather vanish than stay another day under your roof." Carlo's mouth opened, then closed. No words came out. His eyes dropped to the table, his sho
DANTE'S POVThe challenge in her eyes sparked a domineering and primal need to prove my strength.Before I could think better of it, I bent and reached for her.Pain exploded through my shoulder the instant my hands made contact, a groan tearing from my throat.But I didn't set her down.Instead, I tossed her over my good shoulder, my body screaming in protest."Dante!" She yelped, her fists pounding against my back. "Stop it. Put me down."I carried her the three steps to the bed and deposited her on the mattress. Greater pain lanced through my injured shoulder, radiating down my arm and across my chest. I couldn't suppress the groan that escaped, deeper and rougher than the first."Look at that." I straightened slowly, breathing through the ache that threatened to buckle my knees. "Easy. Now I can just make it to the door. Think I'll be able to?"She scrambled to her knees on the bed, glaring at me with a mixture of fury and concern. "No. I swear I will fight you every step of the w
Gianna’s POVThe reception was in full swing.A live band played from the corner, classical and elegant. The music drifted through the hall, turning the evening into something otherworldly.The long table was draped in white silk and covered with elaborate floral arrangements. We were seated at the
Dante's POVI knew Gianna's promise not to harm herself wasn't enough. I had to give her a way out, some control she could hold onto, or she'd never stop trying to escape."And in return for giving me your word, I'll strike another deal with you."Her eyebrows lifted. "What kind of deal?""I propos
Dante's POV The moment her hand moved, I lunged. I didn’t waste a second or stop to consider the consequences. My protective instinct rose so fast it drowned everything else out, and all that mattered was reaching her, stopping her, closing the space between us in a heartbeat. I grabbed her wrist
Dante's POVI climbed onto the bed slowly, my eyes locked on hers. The mattress dipped beneath my weight as I hovered over her, close enough to feel her breath against my skin. Her body trembled beneath me, her bare skin flushed, glowing softly in the dim light.Her breasts rose and fell with every







