LOGINDANTE'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
DANTE'S POVMy gaze travelled across the grounds below.Bruno had informed me earlier that security had been amped up at Gianna's order. Guards were stationed everywhere now. At the gates, along the perimeter walls, positioned at every entrance. Their muscular figures moved in coordinated patterns across the lawn.Getting shot had been a miscalculation. I'd underestimated Lorenzo's ruthlessness, his willingness to use his own daughter as leverage.He'd used Gianna as a shield, positioning himself behind her when I'd raised my gun. The moment replayed in my mind with crystalline clarity. Her body between us, her eyes wide with terror.The split second where I had to choose.I'd chosen to save her from falling, from smashing her head against the concrete floor when Lorenzo shoved her toward me. In that moment, letting Lorenzo escape had been the right decision. The only decision.I couldn't stand the thought of anything happening to her, let alone bear the idea of losing her.As her hus
GIANNA'S POVMoving lower required him to recline against the pillows. He complied, though his gaze never left me. That focused intensity made my hands shake.I can do this. I just need to keep my composure. Focus on the task, not on the nights we'd spent tangled together, learning every way to make each other come apart.My fingers trembled as I moved to his waistband. I need to stay focused. Detached. This is just another task.Except nothing about this feels detached."You'll need to remove these." I gestured to his pants, keeping my voice level."Will I?" The corner of his mouth twitched. "Or do you want to do it for me?""Stop teasing me.""Yes, Nurse Gianna?" He unbuttoned his pants with his good hand, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I'm just following orders."I helped him ease the fabric down his hips, keeping my gaze fixed firmly on my task. Just bathing him. That's all this is.Except he's completely naked now, and there's nothing simple about the way my body responds. His
GIANNA'S POVI pushed open the door to Dante's room, carrying the basin of warm water carefully balanced in my hands.The doctor had cleared him of any immediate danger. His recovery was faster than expected, but he still hadn't been cleared to move around on his own.He was supposed to be closely monitored to make sure he rested and didn't put any strain on his injuries.That someone, apparently, was me.Not that Dante had made it easy. He'd been impossible since the moment he regained consciousness. Yesterday, I'd caught him trying to get out of bed on his own, despite the doctor's orders.This morning, I walked in to find him sitting up, testing the movement in his injured shoulder with a grimace he clearly thought I wouldn't notice.The man had the self-preservation instincts of a kamikaze pilot.Dante sat on the edge of the bed now, already shirtless. The bandage across his shoulder was fresh, changed earlier this morning."Your personal nurse has arrived," I teased before settin
GIANNA'S POV Two days had passed since the shooting. Dante had been unconscious, and my heart hadn't been able to leave his side. My hand remained wrapped around his, fingers interlaced with his unresponsive ones. "I'm so sorry." My voice cracked. "Dante, I'm so sorry for everything." The words tumbled out, barely louder than a whisper. His face stayed peaceful, untouched by my confession. "I should have told you about my father. I should have trusted you." My thumb traced circles against his palm. "I never meant for this to happen. I never wanted you to get hurt because of me." My vision blurred. I blinked, and tears spilled down my cheeks. "Please forgive me." I leaned closer, my forehead nearly touching his shoulder. "Please, Dante. I can't lose you. Not like this. Not because of my mistakes." The machines beeped their steady rhythm. His chest rose, fell, and rose again. "I love you." The admission came easier now. "I know I haven't said it enough. I know I've been guarded
GIANNA'S POVBruno studied me for a long moment. Then he nodded, turning toward the stairs.He'd barely taken two steps when we heard footsteps echoing.We both turned.Selene appeared at the top of the stairs, her face pale and twisted with fury."What am I hearing?" Her voice was shrill, cutting through the large hall wall. "That Dante has been shot?"She took the stairs two at a time, her gaze locked on me. The look in her eyes was pure venom."You." She pointed at me, her hand shaking. "This is all your fault."I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. The guilt was too heavy, pressing down on my chest until I couldn't breathe."You stupid bitch." Selene lunged for me, her hands reaching for my throat.Bruno stepped between us, catching her wrists before she could make contact."Selene." His voice was commanding. "Get it together.""Get it together?" She tried to wrench free, her face flushing red. "Dante is in there. He's been shot. And it's all because of her."She spat the last
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
Gia's POVI ran into the bedroom, tiny sparks coursing through every nerve in my body as I dropped onto the edge of the bed, my breath still shallow.My eyes darted to the closet door, expecting him to come bursting out at any second. Part of me wanted him to. God help me, I wanted him to.My heart
Dante's POV Gia couldn’t hide the sweet conflict in her stare, and it had me hard as fuck. But then her hands slipped back under her dress. She shifted in the seat, wiggling her hips as the fabric slid down her thighs. My eyes followed every move, every little twist of her body as she took her pa
Dante’s POV Seline closed the distance between us, her pleading eyes locked onto mine. “Please,” she whispered, “let this go. For Esmeralda.” “No.” My voice intensified. “You don’t get to tell me to let this go.” My palm slammed against the desk, the sound cracking through the room. “You weren







