LOGINLater that evening, after a quiet dinner, we moved to the bedroom. Dante’s hand never left mine as he led me down the hallway toward our bedroom. The penthouse was quiet now, Ivan and Betty gone, leaving only the two of us wrapped in the soft glow of the city lights filtering through the windows. My heart beats faster with every step. After the emotional weight of the day, the tension with Elias, the looming threat of the Krasnov family I needed this. I needed him. Needed us.He pushed the bedroom door open gently and pulled me inside, closing it behind us with a soft click. The moment we were alone, Dante turned to me, his dark eyes burning with a mixture of love and raw hunger. He cupped my face with both hands, thumbs brushing my cheeks as if I were something precious and fragile.“You are mine,” he whispered, voice deep and rough. “Every part of you.”I shivered at the possessiveness in his tone. “I am yours, Dante. Always.”He kissed me slowly at first, savoring every second. Hi
I nodded and spent the next several minutes telling her the full story. How we met in high school, how deeply I had cared for him, how he disappeared without explanation, and how running into him at the hotel had stirred up old feelings of confusion and pain. Betty listened attentively, occasionally nodding.When I finished, she leaned back. “There is something off about him. I cannot quite place it, but his energy feels… intense. Like he is not fully over you.”I sighed. “I agree. I felt it too.”The rest of our brunch continued more lightly. We talked about fashion, travel dreams, and even swapped funny stories about Ivan. By the time we left for shopping, the encounter with Elias felt like a distant cloud. We wandered through elegant boutiques, trying on dresses and laughing at ridiculous outfits. Betty bought a beautiful scarf, and I found a soft cashmere sweater that would grow with my pregnancy.As we walked back toward the car later that afternoon, arm in arm, I felt grateful f
The morning light filtered softly through the penthouse windows, casting a golden glow over the living room. After the emotional chaos of the previous night, waking up to Ivan’s laughter echoing from the kitchen felt like a gift. Betty had already joined him, and the two of them were making coffee while trading playful banter. I stood in the doorway watching them, my hand resting gently on my still small bump. The baby gave a tiny flutter, as if agreeing that today should be lighter.Dante had left early for a meeting with Liam to discuss the Krasnov threat, but not before kissing me deeply and promising to return soon. Ivan noticed me and grinned. “Alessia, perfect timing. Betty wants to explore the city. You should take her out. Show her the good spots before she flies back.”Betty’s eyes lit up. “Only if you’re free. I don’t want to impose.”I smiled warmly. “I would love that. Brunch first, then some shopping. Just us girls.”Ivan winked. “Good. Dante needs to stop hovering anyway
The penthouse felt different tonight. Warmer. Safer. Ivan’s laughter still echoed in my ears as we stepped through the private elevator doors, Betty’s hand tucked in his. The relief of finding him safe had lifted a massive weight from all of us, but I could already sense the shift in Dante. His body was relaxed with family, yet his mind was clearly pulling back toward the war we had temporarily stepped away from.Ivan stretched dramatically as we entered the living room. “I still can’t believe you mobilized half the city for a weekend getaway. Dad looked ready to burn Moscow down.”Maxim had already been dropped off at his house, but his parting hug with Ivan had been emotional. Now it was just the four of us. Betty smiled shyly, clearly still adjusting to the intensity of the Moretti world.Dante kissed my temple. “Make yourselves comfortable. Rooms are ready for you both. We’ll talk more in the morning.”Ivan winked at me. “Don’t let him work too hard, Alessia. He’s got a baby on th
The tension from the past few hours still lingered in the air. I picked at my pasta, savoring each bite while keeping one hand protectively over my belly. The baby had been active tonight, as if sensing the whirlwind of emotions surrounding us. Dante sat beside me, his thigh pressed firmly against mine, a silent reminder of his presence. Maxim kept glancing toward the entrance every few seconds, his worry refusing to fully fade despite the relief we had seen on the screens.Joe suddenly looked up from his laptop, eyes wide. “Don, he’s here. Ivan just entered the reception area with the woman.”Dante stood up immediately, pushing his chair back. “I’ll go bring him.”Maxim rose too, determination flashing across his face. “I’m coming with you.”I reached out and gently caught Maxim’s arm. “Please continue eating. Let Dante go. You’ve been so worried. Give yourself a moment to breathe.”Maxim hesitated, then slowly sat back down, though his eyes followed Dante as he strode out of the res
The car stopped in front of the Phoenix Hotel once more. We stepped out into the cool night air. Dante’s men formed a tight perimeter around us as we moved. Dante turned to Joe, who was already watching the live feed on his phone. “Anything yet?”Joe shook his head. “No site for them yet.”I looked at the grand entrance and the elegant restaurant visible through the glass. “We can’t just stand here. Let’s go to their restaurant and eat while we wait for them.”Maxim nodded quickly. “Oh, sorry Alessia. Let’s go get you and my grandchild fed.”Inside the restaurant, soft classical music played in the background. Crystal chandeliers cast warm golden light over white tablecloths and fresh flowers. We settled at a quiet corner table. We placed our orders — light pasta and fresh juice for me, steak for Dante, grilled fish for Maxim. I gently urged Joe, who looked uncomfortable, to order something. He finally chose a simple burger, blushing when I smiled at him.While we waited for the food,
He leaned back in the chair, watching me with lazy amusement as I licked the cone. “You’re making that look obscene.” I grinned around a mouthful. “It’s delicious.”He didn’t answer, just kept staring, eyes tracing my lips, my throat, the way my tongue darted out to catch a melting drip.His phone
The pilot’s calm voice came over the intercom, first in English, then Japanese: “Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our final descent into Tokyo Haneda Airport. The temperature on the ground is 8 degrees Celsius. Please return your seats and tray tables to their upright positions…”I stirred ag
The sharp trill of Dante’s phone sliced through the quiet of our bedroom like a knife. I groaned, still heavy with sleep, burrowing deeper into the pillow. My body felt deliciously sore in all the right places from last night’s “punishment,” and the last thing I wanted was to open my eyes.Dante sh
I sipped my juice, watching him through the half-open partition. The way he moved, confident, commanding, yet never cruel. The way his men straightened when he spoke, listened without interrupting. The quiet respect they gave him.He was going to be a father. The ultrasound pictures were folded in







