MasukDANTE'S POVBruno absorbed this, his fingers rubbing against his temple."I don't want you to stop living, to stop loving, because of your loyalty to me." My voice was firm. "You're my brother, Bruno. But you deserve happiness too.""You're my first priority." Bruno stepped closer, his voice filled with emotion. "I swore on your father's deathbed that I would guard you with my life. That I would serve you faithfully.""And you have." I moved around the desk, clasping his shoulder. "You've served me well. You've been my most trusted man, my most trusted ally. Always there, always loyal. You've kept that promise. But I think it's time for you to live a little too.""Boss, I'm only alive today because your father took me in." Bruno's voice trembled slightly. "He treated me like one of his own. Gave me a place at the table. Gave my family protection when we had nothing. My father saved yours, and I swore I would serve you the same way. That's not something I take lightly.""I know." My gr
DANTE'S POVI met his gaze, my shoulders tensing."Exactly. It feels like I'm hiding something from her. Something massive. And I don't know how she's going to feel about this inheritance, considering..."I spread my hands. "Everything."Bruno moved closer, his expression serious but understanding. "If you feel this way, I think you should tell her. I think it's better to be honest upfront.""You're right." I rose from my chair, pacing toward the window. "I should tell her. But is now the right time?"I turned back to face him. "We're in such a good place. We just got back from our honeymoon. Things between us are..."I paused, shaking my head. "Perfect. And if I tell her that the only way I had access to this inheritance was by being married to her, that I planned all of this..."My voice trailed off. I pressed my palm against the cool glass, staring out at the estate grounds."She's going to think that's the only reason I married her. That it was all just about the money, about reve
DANTE'S POV"And then Grandma let me go shopping at the mall," Ariel's eyes lit up as she bounced in her chair across from my desk. "Like, an actual mall, Dad. With stores and people and everything."I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming against the armrest. "A mall.""Yes." She clasped her hands together, leaning forward. "And it was incredible. I got to pick out my own clothes, try things on without someone hovering over me. Grandpa even let me get my nails done." She wiggled her fingers at me, showing off the pale pink polish.A frown tugged at my lips. "Your grandparents let you go to a public mall.""Don't start, Dad." Ariel's smile dimmed slightly, but she pressed on. "It was fine. Actually, it was more than fine. It was normal. I felt like a normal teenager for once.""Normal." I repeated the word, imagining all the ways it could have gone wrong."Yes, normal." She sat up straighter, her chin lifting in that defiant way that reminded me so much of her mother. "I had fr
GIANNA'S POVI choked on my juice, coughing as Dante's hand came up to pat my back. My eyes watered as I struggled to catch my breath."Ariel," Dante said firmly. "These are matters between couples. It's inappropriate to intrude on a woman's reproductive decisions. That's private, and it's entirely her choice when and if she wants to have children."I blinked at him, shocked by how quickly he'd stepped in and how firmly he'd defended my autonomy.Ariel's face fell, her cheeks flushing. "Oh. I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, Gianna. I was just excited, you know? I've always wanted a sibling, and I thought maybe..."I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm not offended at all. I understand where you're coming from. And when we're both ready, when the time is right, we'll think about it. But there's no rush. I'm still in school, still figuring out my own path."Ariel nodded slowly. "That makes sense. I shouldn't have pushed. It was insens
GIANNA'S POVFinally, everyone was seated and ready to eat. Dante sat at the head of the table, me by his side, Ariel on the other. Selene was absent.Grace was already setting out plates, the table laden with food. Scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh pastries, fruit, coffee. She'd gone all out."Grace, this looks wonderful," I said warmly. "Thank you."She smiled, that kind, motherly smile I'd come to appreciate. "It's my pleasure, Mrs. DeLuca."I glanced around the room, then back at Grace. "Where's Mira? Isn't she joining us?"Grace's smile faltered slightly. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. DeLuca. She left early this morning. She didn't say where she was going."I nodded slowly, understanding settling over me. Mira was still avoiding Bruno. All my efforts to reunite them had proved futile, but I'd keep trying.My eyes swept over the dining room again, taking in all those empty chairs at the long table. That's when I noticed Bruno wasn't present either.It had always struck me as odd, this table that
DANTE'S POVAs we descended the stairs, I heard Ariel's voice drifting up from the kitchen, animated and excited."...and the view was gorgeous. Grandpa said it was the best fishing spot in the whole area..."Then another familiar voice responded."I bet it was beautiful. I've missed so much..."My entire body went rigid. My hand shot out, gripping the banister.No fucking way.I took the remaining stairs fast, anger already burning through my veins. When I rounded into the kitchen, I saw exactly what I'd feared.Selene.Sitting at my kitchen table like she had any right to be in my home."What the hell is Selene doing in my house?"Ariel jumped up from her seat, her eyes wide. "Dad...""Get out." I looked directly at Selene. "Now.""Dante, please, I..." Selene started to stand, her hands trembling."I wasn't talking to you." My gaze cut back to Ariel. "Why did you bring her here? Why did you allow her into my home?""Dad, I know you're mad, but...""I made it clear that she's not wel
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 Love. A word I had not thought about in years. A concept I had buried alongside Esme. An emotion I had convinced myself I was incapable of feeling again. Gianna looked up at me from across the table, and for a second it felt like everything around us faded. A charged moment passed
Dante's POV"Come in."The door opened slowly. Bruno stepped inside, shoulders tense, eyes heavy with guilt. He closed the door behind him and lingered near it, like a man waiting for judgment."Boss," he started, voice low. "I heard about Gianna trying to escape. I came as soon as I got your messa
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







