Serena
After everything that happened at the restaurant, Dante wanted to take me out to make up for everything that happened. I told him he didn’t need to. It wasn’t his fault that anything happened. He doesn’t control what other people do. He brushed off my words, saying that he did control what his men did and that particular one crossed a line he never should have.
Despite all my protests, he took me out. Spending more money on me than what made me comfortable. Buying me new clothes, shoes, and makeup. After a day of shopping, he picked up some groceries, saying he wanted to cook me dinner.
We drove out to his house on the outskirts of the city. It wasn’t a long drive, but we left the hustle and bustle of the city behind us, making our way into the mountains.
We pulled down a random sideroad that you wouldn’t know was there until you were passing it. Trees lined the road, casting shadows over the car. We drove until the trees thinned out, and that same large, imposing gate that I saw before was in front of us. It’s larger than anything I have seen before. The shiny, golden metal gleaming in the sunlight. In the center is a snarling wolf's head.
Dante leans out the window, punching in a code, and the gate opens, revealing a long drive. He puts the car into gear, and we climb up the lane until we reach a massive house at the top of a hill. House isn’t the right word. Mega mansion would be more accurate.
A large fountain with a decorative wolf looking up like it’s howling sits in the center of the wrap-around driveway. Dante parks the car by the steps and gets out of the car. He comes around to my side, opening my door and helping me out. I feel so out of place dressed the way I do right now.
I take his hand, electricity coursing through me from his touch alone. I smile up at him and pull myself into his solid chest. He kisses the top of my head before turning us around, his arm around my shoulders, and I take in the building.
The u-shaped mansion in front of me is what most would call a dream home, including myself. It’s something you see on TV, knowing only the mega-wealthy could afford it. This place looks easily three, if not four times the size of the house my mom and I live in. It’s incredible, but poses the question, how could Dante afford this place? I wonder if it is his parents’ home. Dante is still young, there is no way he could afford a house like this.
The exterior is pale white, which still shines in the sunlight, with a light brown color roof. The grand front steps are lined with white columns, holding up a balcony with an ornate white railing. I can picture Dante up there, watching over everything like a king. On either side of the circular driveway are two three-door garages. The doors match the roof perfectly.
My jaw is practically on the floor as I take in my surroundings. The lawn looks professionally maintained. Beautiful, bright red rose bushes line the front entrance. A twinge of something starts niggling at the back of my mind as I look at them. Worry and fear just looking at them.
Dante seems to notice the change in my behavior, from excited to petrified. He pulls me in close to his side, looking me up and down, trying to figure out what is wrong. I give him a shaky smile, wanting to tell him I am all right, but we both know I’m not.
Dante leads towards the massive front door. On it, another wolf. I’m starting to notice a theme, wondering if it’s his favorite animal or something. He opens the door and I audibly gasp. If the outside was impressive, the inside is jaw-dropping.
The grand foyer is lined with white marble flooring. A massive double staircase leads upstairs. We walk through the double staircase, leading us to a massive hallway that seems to go on forever in both directions.
“Nico!” Dante calls out.
“ Siamo in cucina.” I’m presuming Nico says from somewhere to the left.
Dante leads me down the hallway, lined with so many doors that I couldn’t possibly imagine what every room was. At the far end of the hallways is an archway leading into a kitchen so grand that even Gordon Ramsay would weep happy tears.
I take in the expansive open kitchen with an attached dining room. The countertops are black marble, shining against the overhead lighting. Dark wooden cabinets. Every stainless-steel appliance known to man. The entire back wall is lined with windows looking out onto a porch, beyond that, an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Sitting at the kitchen island are three very large men. All three are smiling at me, looking more than welcoming.
Dante pulls me to his side again. “, I want you to meet some of my family.”
Great… more people to meet when I look like hell. I shake the intrusive thought that I don’t belong and smile back before looking at the three men in front of me. A slight warning bell rings in my head. I don’t feel like I should fear them, but I can feel the power they radiate. These aren’t men that I should ever try to cross.
The one in the middle gives me such a warm, gentle smile. His dark brown hair is swept back, like he has been running his hands through it a lot. His forest green eyes are focused on me, assessing me. Not in a malicious way, like he is trying to learn more about me. He is tall, only a couple of inches taller than Dante, and of similar build to him as well. Looking at their features, they are definitely related. He is a handsome man, but to me, he is nowhere near as attractive as Dante.
The man on his right is massive. His muscles have muscles. He looks like such a tough guy, but the glasses give him a softer side. He is just as handsome as the other man standing in front of me. His face is blank, but I can see some happiness in his eyes.
Lastly is the guy on the left. He looks like he is the same age as me. Blonde hair that is on the longer side. Almost looks like the quintessential surfer look. He gives me the biggest smile out of the three, along with some flirty eyes.
The third guy takes a step towards me, but the first one places his hand on his chest to stop him. He whispers something in Italian, causing the third guy to nod his head, the smile never leaving his face.
“ è bello conoscerti finalmente, bellezza. My name is Nico. The broody one over there is Marco. And this clown is Bastian.” Nico says, pointing out each person he is talking to.
“Nico is my cousin. Marco and Bastian are his friends, practically family.” Dante explains.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” I say, feeling extremely shy suddenly.
“è molto più bella di come l'hai descritta.” Bastian said, licking his lips.
Nico smacked him across the head, earning a scowl and a punch from Bastian. The two of them exchanged hit after hit until Nico pinned Bastian down on the ground.
My gaze went to Marco, wondering what he was thinking. He was leaning against the kitchen island, his arms crossed over his chest, wearing a small smirk on his lips. From the look in his eyes, this is a common occurrence between the two. Maybe the three of them.
“You guys know how to make a good first impression,” Marco remarked.
Both Nico and Bastian stopped, turning to me, giving me their apologies for the behavior. I couldn’t help but just chuckle, actually enjoying watching them play fight.
Dante lightly kissed my head before walking further into the kitchen, placing the bags of groceries on the counter. He started taking out each item, placing it on the counter in the order he would need them in.
I step up to the counter, sitting on a stool, watching as he starts preparing dinner. It doesn’t take long for Nico to start helping him, and Bastian sits beside me.
Nico and Dante start talking to each other in Italian, causing me to quickly tune them out. Marco and Bastian start making small talk with me, being polite. Asking about my interests, hobbies, etc. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, but ignore it. I don’t want to seem rude the first time I meet Dante’s family.
“How did you meet this asshole over here?” Bastian asks with a slight chuckle.
Dante throws a cherry tomato at Bastian, which he catches in his mouth. He just gives him a shit-eating grin as he chews.
“You don’t need to answer this stronzo.” Nico jokingly replies. “We have all heard the story many times since we have been in town.” Nico shoves Dante’s shoulder as they smile at each other.
“I’m just curious how he was able to get a girl as beautiful as .” Bastian shrugs his shoulders.
“Looking for some tips so you can finally get the girl you have been pinning over for years?” Dante replies.
Nico, Marco, and Bastian all share a worried look, but soon they go back to smiling. I wonder about who this girl is that they are talking about, but that seems way too invasive to ask someone I have literally just met. It doesn’t stop my curiosity though.
The conversation smoothly flows as Dante and Nico continue cooking. Mainly Dante, Nico, and Bastian are talking. I chime in from time to time. Marco is the quietest but does respond when he needs to.
When dinner is cooked, we all sit down at the kitchen table. I listen as the four of them recount stories of their youth together. Nico, Marco, and Bastian may live on the other side of the country, but they have always been close. Spending summers together. Weekend trips. Holidays in foreign countries together.
From what I gathered, Nico was raised by his uncle Lorenzo. Marco and Bastian’s fathers work for Lorenzo, so they all grew up together. Lorenzo is Dante’s father’s cousin, and they were close. After Dante’s aunt disappeared nineteen years ago, it brought them all closer together.
The aunt was Dante’s father’s younger sister. She got mixed in with the wrong crowd, became a drug addict, and then disappeared one night. No one knows where she went and with whom. They don’t even know if she is still alive or not. No one has seen or heard from her since.
Dante still looks for her. It was his father’s goal to find her and help her. When Dante’s parents died, he took it upon himself to finish his father’s work. He still hasn’t been able to find anything. The working theory is that she passed away. Probably from a drug overdose.
I grab Dante’s hand as he recounts the few memories he has of his aunt. He doesn’t remember anything about her, all his stories are ones he was told growing up. I can see him choking up, trying not to get too emotional.
I want to change the subject to something happier, but I can see he needs to get this all out. I let him say everything he needs to get as I hold his hand. Trying to let him know I am here for him.
“You will find her one day. I have faith in that.” I say, squeezing his hand.
After dinner, we all sat down in the home theatre in the basement, watching movies. At some point during the third Marvel movie, I fell asleep on Dante’s shoulder.
I open my eyes, not recognizing my surroundings. The room is dark, not even no light shining through the curtains. I can’t see anything, and the only things I can feel are the soft mattress beneath me, the soft duvet, and an arm around my waist.
Panic and anxiety seep through me, but I won’t let them fill me. Logically, I know I am at Dante’s house and it’s probably him behind me, but the thought of my stalker still lingers in the corners of my mind.
I take deep breaths, calming myself, and turn to see Dante slumbering peacefully beside me. I gently reached over and brushed the loose hairs away from his eyes. This is the first time I have ever seen it down like this. He normally wears it pushed back. It looks good on him like this.
I untangle his arm from around my midsection and crawl out of the massive bed. Tiptoeing across the floor, trying not to wake him, I search the room, hoping for a bathroom. I open the first door I see into a massive walk-in closet. I step in, caressing my hand over all the expensive suits that are hanging. The urge to continue looking is there, but my bladder has other plans. I close the door behind me and walk to another door.
Opening the door, I see the most luxurious bathroom I have ever seen. Black marble flooring. A shower that easily could fit ten people. A large soaker tub that looks like it would be heaven. A massive vanity with his and hers sinks. Everything is dark, moody, and very masculine.
I quickly do my business and wash my hands. I attempt to control my out-of-control hair, combing it with my fingers. When I am satisfied that it’s not as bad as it was, I search through the cupboards and drawers hoping for some mouthwash.
I find a bottle under what I can assume is his sink. I rinse my mouth, hoping I no longer have morning breath.
I close the bathroom door behind me and crawl back into bed with Dante. He starts to stir as I move the blanket.
“Morning, darling,” he sleepily says, a smile gracing his perfect lips.
He leans over and places a soft kiss against my lips. He goes to move away, but I grab the back of his head and deepen the kiss. I licked his lips, and he eagerly allowed me in. His tongue dancing with mine.
Dante’s lips are soft against mine but demanding. He takes control of me, fully. Rolling us over so he is on top of me, his hard erection against my aching, needy pussy. Another moan escapes as he grinds it against me.
All rational thoughts instantly fly away. The only thing I can focus on is the man on top of me. Nothing matters to me but him.
“Do you trust me, darling?” His voice raspy and dark, sending delicious tingles across my body.
Words fail me, so I nod my head. A panty-melting smirk graces his lips before he gets off the bed. I watch as he walks into his closet. He rummages around for a second before emerging again. He grabs the hem of the t-shirt he is wearing with one hand and rips it off his body, exposing his chest. My eyes greedily scan across his impressive physique. Washboard abs that look like they were carved from marble. His pecs are so well defined. What catches my eye is the massive snarling wolf head tattoo over his heart.
The detail in the fur is so lifelike. The bright blue eyes stare back at me. I am so mesmerized by the stunning artwork on his chest that I didn’t notice him moving closer to me with something in his hands.
He extends his hand, showing me a black silk tie. I quirk my head to the side, curious what he is planning.
I look up at him, seeing he is waiting for me to say it is alright. I don’t hesitate, just nod my head, waiting to see what he has planned.