All Chapters of Forbidden Desire: Tempted By My Stepbrother: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

DANTE'S POV She looked good when she was scared. That was the first thought that crossed my mind. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, lips parted, wide blue eyes that locked on mine like I was some nightmare come to life. She didn’t belong in this life. Not in this house. But she was here anyway, wearing my last nerve thin and slipping into places she never was supposed to. She didn’t even know what she was doing. That was the worst part. She was already walking into the one place that still meant something to me. Past the ivy-covered wall, buried under and shaded by the weeping willow that had once been my mother’s favorite tree… was the grave I never let anyone near. It needed no guards, no maids. Not even my father. Especially not him. I gritted my teeth so hard my jaw ached. The memory came fast and uninvited. My father, standing at the edge of this very grave in a designer suit, not even hiding the fact that he wasn’t crying. Barely four years after she was in the ground

DANTE'S POVThe meeting with the company's workers had run longer than expected. But they needed to be up to date about the meeting with the rival company tomorrow. The boardroom was still half-full, with them gathering their folders. I knew better than anyone that they were eager to leave before I decided to take someone’s head off….I mean, sack someone. But today was their lucky day. My mind wasn't on them. The image of that girl crumpled up on the floor, crying pitifully, seemed to have carved itself into my thoughts like an unwanted thorn. The thing that made my blood boil was how much I wanted her to keep crying, but this time I wanted it to be for a different reason entirely. What the fuck was I thinking? I dismissed the team with a curt nod. They scattered like roaches. Only one person lingered, Allegra, my personal assistant. She closed the conference door behind the last person and turned slowly, her eyes locking with mine shyly.“Sir, I've turned in the report of the meeting

AUTUMN'S POVAnd just like that, for a few moments the world felt normal again as I brought her up to date about everything. When I got to the part about what he had done in the garden, she was livid.“What’s his actual deal?!” she exclaimed, throwing popcorn at her camera. “Does he have some Nepo baby trauma? Boo hoo, poor little rich heir has to share his estate now? He better suck it up and move on.She cackled evilly at her own joke. I groaned and facepalmed. “How on earth did I end up with you as my best friend?”“The universe did you a favour,” she said proudly.She leaned forward suddenly. Her eyes were gleaming with mischief. “Listen up, Autumn Taylor.” Uh-oh. Whenever she used my full name, I knew it was trouble. “You need to play his game. Mess. With. Him.”“Susan…”“No. I’m serious.” Her smug grin grew darker, like a Disney villain. “You can’t just let him keep pushing your buttons like this. He stole your panties, girl. You hafta fight dirty.”I blinked at her. “I’m not su

AUTUMN'S POVI still couldn’t believe what had just happened. I sat on the edge of the bed, folding my arms and glaring at the closed bathroom door like it had personally betrayed me. That smug, annoying man had held up my bra like it was some kind of trophy. I could still see that annoying gleam in his eyes as I snatched it. I really wanted to slap him and crawl into the floorboards to disappear forever. Why was I even in this mess? I leaned back on the bed with a sigh, my eyes drifting up to the ornate ceiling. I had spent the last few days locked in luxury. I had food, clothes, everything I could need, except freedom. From the window, I heard shouting. I walked over and peeked between the curtains. Some woman was causing a scene outside the gate, flailing dramatically like she was auditioning for a soap opera. Security was dragging her away. I couldn’t hear exactly what was she said, but I caught Dante’s name once or twice. I backed away from the window and dropped onto the armchai

DANTE'S POVHer eyes were blazing, wild with anger and something else I couldn’t name. She had no idea the kind of war she was inviting. The shot rang out. A clean, sharp crack that pierced the room. The vase on the console table behind her exploded. The ceramic shards along with the flowers flew around.Camille shouted from the end of the room. “What the hell, Dante?”I didn’t answer. I lowered the gun slowly, engaging the safety again, and placed it on the table. I turned my back to them. I couldn’t stand the sight of her. With her smart mouth. Her fire… God. I had to do my best to avoid her. I’ll keep my distance henceforth. The garage door slid shut behind me with a mechanical groan. I tossed the keys to the valet and got into one of the blacked-out sedans. I dialed a number.“Tell them I’m coming. Right now.,” I said flatly.“Sir?” the voice on the other end sounded confused. “The race isn’t until tonight.”I ended the call without saying anything else. I was angry, but I didn't