. It pulled me into consciousness, compelling me to open my eyes as I struggled through the fog of fatigue. The room was p

nt

hout sound, his essence pressing against my awareness like an unseen force. I forced myself to take st

jacket was absent, his sleeves rolled up to display the tattoos on his forearms. He appeared complet

ent I stirred. He had b

efinitely." His voice was smooth and teasing, yet

hroat, pushing the throb in my

. "Where else

in shot through my shoulder. "I don't know

uin lives. But yours, Isla? Th

hiver down my spine, anger twisti

n on the nightstand. "No? Then tell me, litt

. "It wasn'

ickering within them like a slo

no a

truly di

e my mind could catch up. Now, sitting under his

as if I entertained him. "You can decei

d you dead, I wouldn't have j

're starting to understand something." He leaned in closer, his v

a glare. "Do you really think I cou

ed is closely related to other emotio

ut I refused to show it.

m. Then, his expression shifted to something more serious. "You to

"It means

t the bandage on my shoulder. The light contac

ing the pain. "I

rkly. "No, you do

s just the start. He acted as though he had already won, as if n

the blanket off myself. "I

ing his head slightly.

rough me. "You said I

ly. "But you belong to me, and until I

to disregard the aches in my

low, menacing sm

could retaliate, he stood, adjusting his cuff

ommanded before tur

my eyes.

back over his shoulder.

epened. "A

moment before saying the

your f

roz

fat

a second thought. The one who had sold m

ran thr

n silence, as though he r

instructed as he stepped into the hal

swirling thoughts, my fears, and the unsettling

prepared

*

f the bed long after Dante left

g to see y

ld, without hesitation. I could still hear him quaking in that study, p

intended to

t

y reunion. Dante never acted without purpose, and w

he door snapped me

self to calm the turmoil wit

ocky grin. "Boss says you have an hour, but you kn

d what if I ch

darkly. "Then

down my spine. It was a sta

n't win this r

der protested, and made my way to the closet. Dante had made sure the wardr

n bubbling beneath the surface. Even the way he cho

i

would at least mak

and modest. Simple but elegant, a strong declarati

-over that he seemed to approve of. "Not bad, prin

nd brushed past him,

, though I felt the weight of hidden gazes upo

ntrance, Dant

hing about him radiated control, but it was the way he looked at me th

n. "Let's get t

ked warmth. "Patience, little do

gripped me. I wasn't naive enough to believe

I slid

hut softly behind

ater, and the car began to

zed out the window, watching the city r

no

te want with

importantl

ered the silence. "

he window. "Maybe I just

ore pouring himself a drink from the bar

actually expect me to think

lowly. "I expect you to be smart enough t

rowing my eyes. "So what is it

ened. "A bit

That wasn't the answ

sh, but if Dante was taking me to see

ovement igniting pain in my

re in

hat, are you suddenl

cent enveloping me. "I dis

wn my spine. Not cruel, bu

Then maybe you shou

hardened. "That

ng I belong to you. But what happens when I stop fighti

ilent, so long that I tho

loser, and his voice dr

make you

words but from how he said them like a prom

illing to give him the s

ted

allowing me to feel settled. I hated that despite my resistan

d that a part of me cr

continued in

at a secluded property

ates opened, revealing the

tate or what r

took my br

shell of its former self. The grand doors were cracked, and the windows

ared ab

voice was barely a wh

, his expression unreadabl

ther, Luca opened my door,

autopilot. The air was heavy with the scent of

took a st

caught si

fat

His suit was wrinkled, hair grayer, and his face etched with exhaustion.

reg

gu

knowle

anticipated

d been wait

is voice steady yet laced

tle dove. S

y veins ran fr