All Chapters of Dangerous Game: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

{DANTE}Despite what Vivian thought, l'd scheduled myEurope trip before she moved in. A majority ofRusso Group brands were headquartered on thecontinent, and I blocked off a month every year to hold in-person meetings with the heads of our subsidiaries.This year's timing just happened to be extremely convenient.However, I made sure to keep tabs on Luca and Vivian while I was gone. I'd assigned Luca a sales role at one of our jewelry subsidiaries' retail stores. He was a people person, and putting him in a back office somewhere would only spell disaster for him and the store in question. According to the store manager, he had a rough start–my brother had never been punctual–but by the time I returned to New York, he seemed to have settled, albeit begrudgingly, into his new role.Vivian, on the other hand, had taken to her newsurroundings like a duck to water. Greta and Edward gushed about her in every repot, and I came home to find a new European painting in the gallery, towels

{VIVIAN}The flea market was alive with the sounds of haggling and the faint honks of cabs from the neighboring streets. The scent of churros swirled through the air, and everywhere I looked, I saw an explosion of different colors, textures, and fabrics. I'd been visiting the same market every Saturday for years. It was a treasure trove of inspiration and one-of-a-kind items I couldn't find in the carefully curated luxury stores, and it never failed to pull me out of a creative rut. It was also my favorite place to visit when I needed to clear my head.Today, however, it did neither of those things.No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the memory of Dante's mouth on mine.The firmness of his lips. The heat of his body. The subtle, expensive scent of his cologne and the self-assured weight of his hands on my hips.Days later, I could still feel the vividness of the moment as clearly as if it'd just happened.It was infuriating. Almost as infuriating as how l'd opened up to hi

So I heard." I tilted my head. "You were denied the last time you applied, no? Perhaps you'll have better luck this time."Francis's face darkened before relaxing into another smile. "l'm sure I will with your support. We're practically family now, and family helps each other out. Don't they?"He cast a meaningful look in Luca's direction..Rage clamped my jaw tight at his obvious threat. Legacy Valhalla members were granted five nominations in their lifetime. l'd already used two–one for Christian, one for Dominic. I would rather cut off my dick than waste a third on Francis."I don't have much insight into the Boston chapter." It was only half a lie. I had connections there, but each chapter acted fairly independently in accordance with the local culture, politics, and traditions. "Valhalla's membership committee is diligent in its selection process. If someone is worthy of being admitted, they'l be admitted."Red splashed across Francis's cheeks at my subtle dig."While I'm all for

Pringles, pickles, and pudding." Dante saved me from a decision. "Interesting combination."Relief loosened the knot in my chest. My breath came out easier now that I had something to focus on other than my body's unwilling reaction to his."They taste good together. Don't knock it till you've tried it." I took control of my limbs again and sidestepped him on my way to the island.The touch of his gaze followed me, an insistent pressure on the small of my back.I opened the can of Pringles. Don't turn around."Apologies. Far be it from me to question your snackchoices." A trace of dry amusement ran through his voice. I heard the fridge open behind me, followed by the clink of silverware and the click of a shutting cabinet door.A minute later, Dante slid onto the stool beside me. My mouth parted when he began assembling his snack."You make fun of me for my food choices but you're pouring soy sauce over ice cream?" The earlier tension retreated

Sometimes, ignorance was bliss.We drove down a winding road lit by hundreds of glowing lanterns in the trees. I felt like we were at a country estate instead of upper Manhattan.How could such a place exist in the middle of the city? Whoever built it must have sunk a fortune into buying all the land and permits necessary to create a veritable private oasis on some of the most coveted real estate in the country.I grew up surrounded by wealth, but this was on another level."Don't be nervous." Dante's gruff voice interrupted my musings. "It's just a party.""I'm not nervous.""Your knuckles are white."I looked down where | clutched my knee in a death grip. My knuckles were, indeed, white. I relaxed them, only for my knee to bounce with anticipation instead.Dante closed his hand over mine and pressed it against my thigh, forcing me to still.A rush of awareness shot through me and narrowed in on the sight of his hand swallowing mine. His grip was firm but surprisingly gentle, and aft