MasukGIANNA'S POVOver a year had passed since my graduation, and I still remembered the circus Dante had made of the entire ceremony. He'd shown up with what felt like half his security detail, all of them trying and failing to look inconspicuous in their dark suits.My classmates had stared, and my professors had raised their eyebrows. But Arielle had cheered the loudest when my name was called, while Dante looked so proud of me that my heart filled with happiness.The celebration afterward had stretched into the early morning hours. There had been joy and laughter, the kind of peace I hadn't known was possible in this world.Everything felt different and lighter, like we could finally breathe without waiting for the next threat to emerge from the shadows.Working alongside Dante had become more than I ever could have asked for.He'd brought me into his businesses and made me his partner in every sense of the word. The respect I commanded now came not just from being his wife, but from
GIANNA'S POV She grumbled more as Alfonso gently guided her toward the exit. "Come on, little one. Let's get you upstairs." She took his hand but turned back one more time, her bottom lip jutting out. "This isn't fair." "I love you, honey," Dante called behind her, his voice carrying across the room. She glanced back, her expression softening. "Love you too, Dad. Love you, Mom." She trudged away with Alfonso, glancing back every few steps as if hoping we'd change our minds. Once she disappeared through the doors, Dante pulled me back into his arms. The music had shifted to a more intimate tune, wrapping around us like silk. We swayed together in silence for a moment, just existing in each other's presence, before I spoke. "Is there a chance you could ever forgive Selene?" His body went rigid against mine. "Not a chance in hell." I'd expected that answer, but hearing the finality in his voice still sent a chill through me. "She put your life at risk." His grip on me tightene
GIANNA'S POVI smiled as he led me onto the dance floor, his hand resting firmly on my back.The music played around us as we moved together, falling into an easy rhythm.For the first time that night, I really looked at him. His grey eyes held mine, and the dark suit fit his broad shoulders perfectly.His white shirt was slightly undone at the top, revealing a glimpse of his olive skin.The auction night flashed through my mind. He had been sitting in the dark.The connection had been instant."From the first moment I saw you, I knew I was never letting you go," he murmured, as if he'd somehow read my thoughts.Heat rushed to my cheeks. I looked away, fighting the smile tugging at my lips."Hmm..." I dragged the sound out before looking back at him. "Little wonder you made me sign that contract to be your lifelong mistress. Now your wife."A smug smile spread across his face."I had to make sure you couldn't escape me."I laughed, shaking my head."Have I told you how handsome you lo
GIANNA'S POVMira looked stunning in a deep burgundy dress that brought out the richness of her dark hair. But her attention wasn't on the party or the celebration happening around us.Her gaze kept drifting across the room to where Bruno stood talking with some of Dante's men.I stepped beside her, following her line of sight. "You've been looking at him all night."She jerked, her eyes snapping to mine. "I haven't.""You have." I smiled. "And he's been looking at you too."Her expression crumbled slightly before she caught herself, her shoulders straightening. "It doesn't matter.""It clearly does." I turned to face her fully. "Talk to him, Mira."She shook her head, her fingers tightening around her glass until her knuckles went white. "What's the point? Nothing's changed.""Everything's changed." I gestured to the room around us, to the families mingling freely, the laughter that had replaced tension. "Lorenzo is dead. The war that's been looming over all of us is finally over. Yo
DANTE'S POVShe stood at the far end of the hall, engaged in conversation with Vivian Luther. I drew in a ragged breath at the sight of her.She wore a gold dress that hugged every curve of her body like it had been poured onto her skin. The fabric shimmered in the candlelight, catching and reflecting every stone.The neckline dipped low enough to make my blood heat, revealing the swell of her breasts. The dress cinched at her waist before flowing down her hips, accentuating the feminine curves that I knew intimately.Her dark hair fell over one shoulder in soft waves, revealing the elegant line of her neck.Even from across the room, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.My wife and queen.My body responded immediately. The desire was so intense it bordered on pain."Don Dante?"The voice cut through my thoughts. I blinked, realizing the clan members around me were all staring expectantly, waiting for a response to a question I hadn't heard."Don Dante, your thoughts on t
DANTE'S POVThis gathering marked the end of a bloody chapter that had consumed too many lives.I stood at the head of the room with Gianna beside me, her hand resting in the crook of my arm. Arielle stood on my other side, her hand also tucked into mine. My family. Whole and safe.I raised my glass, and the room fell silent. Every eye turned to me."Tonight, we gather not just as allies, but as survivors of a war that threatened to tear our world apart." My voice carried across the hall. "Lorenzo Giovanni is dead. The threat that hung over us like a darkness has been eliminated."Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd."But this victory did not come from my hand alone." I turned slightly, my gaze falling on Gianna. "My extraordinary wife risked everything. She put her life on the line to protect my daughter, to protect our family. She stood in the face of danger when she could have run. She is the reason Arielle is here tonight, safe and whole."Gianna's cheeks flushed, but s
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







