20. Dante
TWENTY
My mind was a whirlwind of tension and anger. The name “Natalia” tasted like ash in my mouth, a stark reminder of the betrayal that had festered inside me since I discovered her real identity. Eva—or rather, Natalia Ramirez—had played me for a fool, and tonight, I intended to turn the tables.
I checked my reflection in the mirror, adjusting my tie for the umpteenth time. The man staring back at me was a portrait of calm composure, but beneath the surface, I was a mess of conflicting emotions. I was about to engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, and I was determined to come out on top—or at least not make a complete ass of myself.
The drive to the restaurant was a blur, my thoughts consumed by the woman who had infiltrated my life under false pretenses. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Here I was, the son of a notorious cartel leader, lamenting a lack of honesty in my personal life. If my father could see me now, he’d probably laugh himself into an early grave.
As I stepped out of my car and handed the keys to the valet, I spotted Eva—no, Natalia—waiting for me at the restaurant entrance. She looked stunning, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders in loose waves, her body hugged by a sleek red dress that left little to the imagination. For a moment, I allowed myself to appreciate her beauty, to remember the passion that flared between us. Then I reminded myself of her deception, and I plastered on my best “I’m-totally-not-onto-you” smile.
“Eva,” I greeted her, my voice a mix of charm and feigned nonchalance. “I see you’ve dressed for the occasion. I hope you’re not expecting me to behave myself tonight.”
She raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. “Behave? I didn’t think that word was in your vocabulary, Dante.”
I chuckled, playing along. “Oh, it’s in there hiding. Right next to ‘boring’ and ‘early night.’ Two other concepts I’m not familiar with.”
“Is that so?” she replied, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
I offered her my arm, feeling the warmth of her body as she pressed against me. “You know, that dress has me wondering what secrets you’re hiding underneath. Any sexy lingerie I should know about?”
Eva laughed, a sound that was both musical and dangerous. “A girl’s got to have some mysteries, Dante. You’ll just have to use your imagination.”
“Trust me, it’s working overtime,” I quipped, guiding her towards the restaurant entrance. “Shall we go inside? I’m dying to see if the food here lives up to the hype. And who knows? Maybe I’ll get some answers about that lingerie situation over dessert.”
We entered the restaurant, a trendy new spot on Ocean Drive that my sister had been so eager to try. The hostess led us to our table, where my Sofia and her pompous boyfriend, Allen, were already seated. The sight of Allen, with his smug grin and overly styled hair, was like a splinter under my fingernail, irritating and impossible to ignore.
“Ah, the man of the hour!” Allen exclaimed, raising his glass in a mock salute. “Good to see you, Dante.”
I forced a nod, and my jaw clenched tight. “Allen,” I grunted, taking the seat next to Natalia. I could feel her gaze on me, assessing, maybe questioning, but I kept my attention focused on the menu in front of me, deliberately avoiding her eyes.
After we ordered food, Allen’s behavior grew increasingly intolerable. He dominated the conversation, regaling us with tales of his financial prowess and material wealth, all while making lewd remarks and inappropriate gestures towards Sofia. My sister laughed, oblivious to her boyfriend’s bad manners, and I felt a surge of protective anger on her behalf.
Ever the strategist, Natalia attempted to steer the conversation toward safer waters. Still, Allen was like a dog with a bone, unable or unwilling to recognize the discomfort he was causing. Each suggestive comment, each unwanted touch, stoked the flames of my fury, and I found myself gripping my wine glass so tightly I feared it might shatter in my hand.
When Allen’s attention shifted to Natalia, making a thinly veiled pass at her right in front of me, that was the last straw. I felt a red haze descend over my vision, my instincts screaming at me to defend what was mine—or at least, what he thought was mine.
“That’s enough,” I said. I fixed Allen with a hard stare, my hand curling into a fist beneath the table. “Show some respect.”
Allen blinked at me, his brow furrowing in confusion—or perhaps it was feigned ignorance. “What’s the matter, Dante?” he asked, the smirk still playing on his lips. “Can’t take a little joke?”
I leaned forward, my eyes never leaving his. “This isn’t a joke. Keep your hands and comments to yourself, or you’ll find out exactly what I’m capable of.”
A tense silence settled over the table, the atmosphere thick with hostility. Natalia touched my arm, a cool counterpoint to the rage boiling within me. “Let’s just enjoy our meal,” she said, her voice barely audible over the sound of my heartbeat thundering in my ears.
Allen scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. “Jesus, Dante, lighten up. I didn’t realize you were so sensitive.”
Sofia interjected before I could respond, her voice shaky but firm. “Enough, both of you!”
Everybody was quiet all of a sudden, and my sister continued.
“Dante, I know you disapprove of Allen, but he’s my boyfriend, so will you behave for just one night? You too, Allen.”
Allen shrugged, draining the last of his wine before refilling. “Fine by me, honey, as long as your gangster brother can keep his gun in his pants.”
I was almost out of my seat and in Allen’s throat when, luckily, the waiter brought our food.
We all dug into the food, and as I sat there, watching Natalia and Sofia laugh and chat like they’d known each other since childhood, a part of me felt a twinge of... something. Jealousy? No, that wasn’t it. It was something else, something deeper and far more unsettling.
Just a few days ago, the sight of my sister smiling and genuinely enjoying herself with her new friend would have filled me with fucking joy. But, after uncovering who Eva’s truly was, it all changed.
The knowledge that everything about her was fake—her laughter, warmth, and apparent fondness for Sofia—itched under my skin like a goddamn parasite. There she was, playing the part of the perfect friend with such convincing ease that it made my blood boil.
Sofia was too trusting, too innocent to see through Natalia’s deception. She had no idea that the woman she was confiding in, the woman she had invited into our lives, was an enemy working to bring us down.
But I kept my mouth shut, plastering a smile on my face as I watched the charade unfold before my eyes. I played the part of the attentive boyfriend, the protective brother, all while my mind raced with plans and strategies.
Eva—Natalia—had no idea that I was onto her. As far as she knew, her cover was still intact, her secret still safe. And I intended to keep it that way, at least for the time being.
The more she trusted me, the deeper she dug her own grave. I would give her inaccurate information and lead her down a path of my own making, all while keeping a close eye on her every move.
I watched as she charmed the waitstaff, listened attentively to Sofia’s stories, and subtly deflected Allen’s misogynistic behavior and insults. She was good; I had to give her that. If I hadn’t discovered the truth about her, I would have been fooled into believing she was exactly who she claimed to be.
As the evening was winding down and the last dessert plates cleared away, the tension at the table had gone from my worst nightmare to something…almost not insufferable.
Natalia leaned in close. “It’s not exactly bedtime for me just yet,” she purred, her hand sliding along my thigh, her fingers tracing a teasing path sending a jolt of desire straight to my cock. “Maybe we could do something…”
I felt a slow, predatory grin spread across my face as I turned to meet her gaze. “Is that so?” I said, my hand covering hers, pressing her palm more firmly against the rapidly growing bulge in my pants. “And what exactly did you have in mind, querida?”
Her eyes sparkled, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her luscious lips. “Why don’t you take me back to your place, and I’ll show you?”
My cock twitched at her words as I imagined all the delicious ways I could make her scream my name tonight. Maybe add a bit of extra spice…as payback.
We said our goodbyes to Sofia and Allen, the latter of whom was still shooting me wary glances after our little confrontation earlier in the evening. But I didn’t give a fuck. All that mattered was getting Natalia alone to my place.
The drive back to South Beach was a blur of neon lights and throbbing bass, the city’s energy matching my own as I navigated the familiar streets with practiced ease. Natalia’s hand rested on my thigh, her touch a brand through the fabric of my pants.
We stepped into the private elevator that would take us up to my penthouse above Club Diablo, and I could feel the anticipation building, a tangible force that hummed in the air between us. Natalia stood beside me, her eyes locked onto mine, a silent promise of the pleasure that awaited us both.
The doors slid open, revealing my home’s opulent luxury. I watched Natalia’s face as she took in the sleek, modern decor, the floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the Miami skyline. But it was the bedroom that I was most eager to show her.
I led her through the penthouse, my hand at the small of her back, guiding her toward the room that held my most intimate secrets. The door swung open, and I watched her closely as she stepped inside, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her.
The room was a testament to my darkest desires, a place where I could indulge in the taboo pleasures of dominance and submission, roleplaying, and bondage. The walls were lined with velvet-draped hooks, tools, and toys designed to bring my partners to the very edge of ecstasy. A massive four-poster bed dominated the center of the room, its posts equipped with sturdy restraints and its sheets a bright, enticing red.
Natalia turned to face me, her gaze filled with curiosity and desire. “So, this is where the real magic happens, huh?” she quipped, her voice a soft, sultry whisper that made my cock ache with need.
I stepped closer, crowding her against the wall, my hands on either side of her head. “You have no idea, my queen,” I growled, lowering my mouth to hers in a searing kiss that left no doubt about who was in control tonight.
I could feel her body yielding to mine, her breath hitching as I ground my hips against hers, letting her feel the full extent of my arousal. I wanted her to understand what she was getting herself into tonight.
With a swift, decisive movement, I reached for the zipper of her dress, dragging it down and peeling the fabric away from her body, revealing the black lace lingerie beneath. She was a vision of hot temptation, her curves on full display, and I couldn’t wait to explore every inch of her.
I led her to the bed, my hands at her waist as I lifted her onto the mattress, watching as she sank into the plush duvet, her dark hair fanning out around her head like a halo. I reached for the restraints, my fingers deftly securing her wrists and ankles, spreading her wide for my pleasure.
Natalia tugged at the restraints, a thrill of excitement flashing in her eyes as she tested her bonds. “What’s the matter, querida?” I teased, my hands skimming over her body, my touch light and teasing. “Feeling a little... bound?”
She bit her lip, her gaze locked onto mine as she gave another experimental tug. “Maybe I like it,” she said, her voice breathy.
I chuckled darkly, my fingers tracing the delicate lace of her bra, my thumbs circling her hardened nipples through the fabric. “Oh, I have a feeling you’re going to like this a lot,” I promised, reaching into a nearby drawer and withdrawing a long, slender feather.
Natalia’s eyes widened as I trailed the feather along her skin, starting at her collarbone and slowly working my way down, watching goosebumps erupt. I took my time, exploring every dip and curve of her body, reveling in the way her breath caught each time the feather grazed her sensitive flesh.
By the time I reached the waistband of her panties, she was practically squirming on the bed, her body arching towards my touch, her cheeks flushed with arousal. I could see the need in her eyes, the desperate plea for her release that she barely managed to contain.
But I wasn’t done with Natalia yet. Not by a long shot.
I set the feather aside and reached for a silk blindfold, watching her face as I covered her eyes, plunging her into darkness. “Do you trust me, Eva?” I said as I leaned in close, my lips brushing against her ear.
She nodded, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps as she awaited my next move. I reached for another toy, a small, buzzing bullet vibrator that I knew would drive her wild. I pressed it against the thin fabric of her panties, grinning as she bucked against the sudden sensation.
“Dante, please,” she moaned, her voice laced with need. “I need you inside me.”
“Patience, mi reina.” I silenced her with a kiss, my tongue delving into her mouth as I continued to tease her with the vibrator, my fingers deftly slipping beneath the side of her panties to stroke her slick, wet folds. She was soaked, her body practically vibrating with need, and I couldn’t resist the urge to taste her.
I kissed down her body, my lips and tongue leaving a wet, tingling trail in their wake as I settled between her legs, my hands gripping her hips as I pulled her towards me. Pushing her panties aside, I buried my face in her pussy. I lapped at her, my tongue circling her clit, my teeth grazing the sensitive bud as I drove her higher and higher until she was teetering on the edge, her entire body trembling with the force of her impending orgasm.
And then, just when she was about to come, I pulled back, denying her the release she so desperately craved. She whimpered in frustration, her body arching off the bed, but I was merciless, my fingers and tongue working in tandem to keep her hovering on the brink of ecstasy without letting her fall over the edge.
“Please, Dante,” she begged, her voice a hoarse, desperate whisper. “I need to come.”
I chuckled darkly, my lips and chin glistening with her arousal. “And you will,” I assured her, my voice a low, seductive purr. “But not until I say so.”
I positioned myself at her entrance, the head of my cock pressing against her slick, wet heat. I looked down at her, my gaze raking over her bound, blindfolded form, and I felt a surge of raw, primal lust.
“Are you ready for me, Eva?” I growled, my hands gripping her hips as I prepared to thrust inside her.
She nodded, her lips parting on a silent moan as I pushed forward, filling her in one long, slow stroke. She felt like heaven, her tight, wet pussy gripping me like a fist, and I knew I wouldn’t last long.
I set a punishing rhythm, driving into her again and again, each thrust more forceful than the last, my hips slamming against hers as I fucked her with all the pent-up frustration and anger that had been building since I discovered her real identity. I could feel her muscles tightening around me, her body coiling like a spring as she neared the precipice again.
“Come for me, Eva,” I commanded, my voice a harsh, guttural rasp as I reached between us, pressing the vibrator against her clit once more. “Let go, mi reina. I want to feel you come undone. Hear you scream my name.”
At my words, she shattered, her entire body convulsing as waves of pleasure crashed over her, her pussy clamping down around my cock as she cried out my name, her voice echoing off the walls of the bedroom. I followed her over the edge, my orgasm barreling through me like a freight train, my body shuddering with the force of my release.
For a long moment, we lay there, our bodies slick with sweat, our breaths ragged and uneven. I reached up, removing the blindfold and releasing Natalia from the restraints, my hands gently massaging her wrists and ankles as I brought her back down to earth.
Playing the role of the perfect boyfriend, I rolled onto my side, pulling her into my arms. Her body fit perfectly against mine as I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You are incredible, Eva,” I said, my voice filled with admiration and a hint of something more, something deeper.
She snuggled closer, her hand resting over my heart as she looked up at me, her eyes shining with satisfaction and affection. “You’re not so bad yourself, Dante Reyes,” she said, her voice soft and sleepy as she drifted off to sleep in my arms.
I held her as she slept, keenly aware I was flirting with disaster. I kept reminding myself that Eva—or Natalia—was a DEA agent, a woman who’d wormed her way into my world with a false identity, no doubt collecting dirt to topple my family’s empire.
Make no mistake. I’d neutralize the threat, likely torpedoing her career and future in the process.
Yet, gazing at her now, raven locks cascaded over the pillow, lips parted in a breathy sigh, part of me almost pitied her. Could there be more to her than this undercover ruse? Buried beneath the lies, was there a chance at something genuine between us? Some naive shred of me almost dared to hope.