LOGINDante's POVI cupped her face in my hands, my gaze dropping to her lips.God, I'd been wanting to taste her like this for months. Wanting to claim her mouth without holding back, without any lingering doubt between us.My pulse hammered in my ears as I closed the distance.My lips crashed against hers, hungry and desperate. I kissed her like I was starving, like she was air and I'd been suffocating.Months of restraint shattered. Every night I'd lain beside her, aching to touch her, every morning I'd woken with her body pressed against mine, every stolen glance when she'd walked around in those damn nightgowns, it all erupted in this moment.She moaned into my mouth, and the sound nearly undid me.My tongue swept past her lips, tasting her, exploring her. She met me with the same hunger, her fingers digging into my shoulders.I lifted her, and her legs wrapped around my waist. My hands slid down to grip her thighs as I backed her against the wall.My mouth moved from her lips to her j
Dante'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
Dante’s POV Arielle’s eyes lit up as she took in the dining table. The spread was an array of exquisite dishes, prepared by the top chef I’d invited, succulent roasted meats, delicate seafood, colorful vegetables, freshly baked bread, and desserts. “Dad, you seriously outdid yourself. This is a r
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
Gianna's POV Dante grabbed my wrist, yanking my hand away from his face. "Don't," his voice was rough. "Don't say forgive." A bitter, broken laugh slipped out. He stepped back, running both hands through his hair. "In this world, there’s no forgiveness. It’s blood for blood. Your father knew th
Dante's POVGianna stood there, still holding her ground, exactly as I expected. This was her way of telling me she was rebelling, that she wouldn’t be controlled, that I couldn’t just dictate her every move.“You really can’t help yourself, can you?” she asked, defiant. “Always giving orders, alwa







