Annalissa Hale My palms press uselessly against Dante’s chest as I curl them into fists. He slips his tongue past my lips and pull me even closer, ignoring my protest. He finally breaks the kiss, leaving my panting, my breaths coming out in small puffs against his lips.“Now, they all understand you’re mine and nothing is ever going to change that.” his voice is low enough so that only me can hear. “But try not to squirm tonight.”A jolt of electricity runs through me. He kissed me just to show his family there was no turning back?He lets go of me, but not before he strokes my bare back with the pads of his fingertips. I shiver and he notices.He turns to his mother. “When does dinner start?”Charlotte—as she insisted on my calling her—doesn’t try to hide her frown. “In a few minutes.”Just before Dante walked in, Charlotte was telling me how much she thought her son could do “better” than me.God, I really woke up with a good feeling this morning when Conner first informed me R
Dante RomanoMy fist crashes into the man’s jaw with a sharp crack. “I have somewhere to be, Ethan. Stop wasting my time.”He moans, blood and saliva leaking out of his mouth and onto the polished concrete floor.The old white clock on the wall ticks past 6:30pm. I need at least a few minutes to get myself cleaned up before I head back to the Romano mansion. “Pffease,” Ethan bleats through a mouth full of broken teeth. “Pffea—”I punch him again. A few drops of blood land high on my forearm.Fuck. I’d hoped this wouldn’t turn into such a fucking mess.“The next time you say a word, make it one I want to hear.”Behind me, Connor lets out a loud sigh. “Maybe he really doesn’t know anything. He’s a vain bastard. I don’t think he’d let you pummel him like this if he did.”Ethan’s chin bumps against his chest. Did the fucker just pass out?I kick him hard in the shin. Nothing.Annoyance crawls up my spine. He’s the CEO of a small textile company I once ran out of business after he trie
Annalissa Hale For one fleeting second, I swear I see something dangerous clink in Dante’s eyes. Something that makes my pulse trip over itself.His hands snap up, gripping my hips before I can even blink, and suddenly the power shifts again. I’m flipped onto my back, breathless, with his weight caging me in again.My shiver rakes down my spine. “I warned you,” he says softly as he shifts lower. His mouth grazes the side of my throat. “You don’t get to play with fire unless you’re ready to burn.”Goosebumps race down my arms. His grip is firm and his fingers tighten on my wrists just enough to remind me that he’s bigger, stronger and in control.“Lesson two,” he says, releasing me suddenly and rising to his feet. His chest gleams with sweat as he offers me his hand. “Never assume your opponent is down for good.”I glare up at him, but my cheeks are flaming as I take his hand. He pulls me up too easily.“Again,” he orders.We circle. I feint left, then try to rush him. He side
Annalissa Hale I think having a bodyguard follow me everywhere I go is a bit of a stretch just because of a tiny mishap.Maybe not tiny considering the way I yelled all through the ride last night, holding on to Dante’s hand like he’s a lifeline. But I was scared. I’ve never been followed or chased. It was my firsthand reaction to something I’ve never experienced before.Dante, on the other hand, doesn’t feel the same and is taking extra measures to quote-unquote protect me. Which is why I’m canceling my plans for today—which also includes meeting my parents—because Dante wants me to take self defense classes on top of having my own personal body guard.Worse, he’ll be training me. I suspect he just doesn’t want someone else touching “what belongs to him.” I know that’s what he thinks of me as. His possession.“The Don wants you in the training room in five minutes.” Teresa says as she steps into the bedroom and places a pair of leggings and sports bra on the bed. I take a dee
Dante Romano I leave her alone for a few minutes and she’s already gotten herself into trouble. That damn woman!My fists clench beside me as I walk down the hallway, slipping next to Issa in front of the reporter who’s holding out the camera. Issa finches next to me and her lips part. I can see the hesitation in her eyes and I immediately pull out a smile.Damage control.“My wife has had a lot to drink tonight.” I say, wrapping my hands around her. “We’ll stop the interview here.”Without waiting for another word from the reporter, I start to pull Issa down the hall. She doesn’t protest. She follows me like she’s still not fully grasping the situation.I clench my teeth. If you at least intend on fooling everyone, you should fucking do your research. I’m sure a few sensible ones would be suspicious by the way she froze on camera. I can’t have her just casually reveal her true identity like that.I can only imagine the kind of blow my reputation in the mafia underworld would t
Annalissa Hale Two nights ago, I told myself I wouldn’t care. That Kayleigh’s smug little text was nothing but bait, the same way she tried to bait me at the Romano estate. Maybe she thought I would crumble. Maybe she thought I’d get jealous.But I don’t own Dante. He doesn’t own me either. So they can both do whatever the fuck they want.At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.But standing here now, beneath a chandelier that burns hot against my skin with Dante’s hand heavy at the small of my back, my eyes keep sliding across the room. To her.Kayleigh Miller. She’s laughing too loud at the Prime Minister’s jokes. Her hands are brushing his arm. And I hate that I’m curious. That the words she texted me—don’t worry, your man is in good hands—still echo in my head and I really want to know what’s going on between her and Dante.But I can’t ask him. He’ll take it as me showing interest in him.I’m able to slip away from Dante eventually. He only brought me here to show off