Chapter Nine
Dante
I shake my head, trying to clear the lingering thoughts of Adriana,her shy smile this morning, the soft curve of her neck.
Focus.
The warehouse looms before me, a hulking mass of corrugated metal and concrete. The scent of salt air mingles with diesel fumes as I step out of the car, Marco falling into step beside me.
“Let’s make this quick,” I order, striding towards the entrance. The heavy door groans as we push it open, revealing rows of crates of our new drugs stacked floor to ceiling.
My eyes scan the inventory, mentally tallying the numbers. Something’s off. I feel it in my gut before I even finish counting.
“Fuck,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “We’re short.”
Marco’s eyebrows knit together. “By how much, boss?”
I do another quick count, frustration building with each passing second. “At least five kilos. Maybe more.”
My fists clench at my sides. This shipment was supposed to be our biggest score yet. A chance to expand our territory, to solidify our power. And now…
“Check the manifests,” I bark at Marco. “I want to know exactly how much we’re missing and where the hell it went.”
As Marco hurries to comply, I pace the length of the warehouse, the wheels in my head turning. Who could have pulled this off? We’ve got eyes and ears everywhere. Nothing moves in this city without my say-so.
Unless…
No. I push the thought away. My men are loyal. They know the consequences of betrayal.
But as I turn back to face the rows of crates, doubt gnaws at me. Someone’s playing a dangerous game. And when I find out who, they’ll learn just how dangerous I can be.
“Boss?” Marco’s voice is hesitant. “The count’s still off.”
“Find out who’s responsible,” I snarl. “Now.”
Marco hesitates, his eyes darting nervously. “It could be the dockers, Boss. Maybe they’re skimming off the top.”
I whirl on him, anger flaring. “The dockers?” My voice is low, dangerous. “You think our own men would betray us?”
Marco flinches, taking a step back. “I-I just thought-”
“No,” I cut him off sharply. “Our dockers are loyal. They know the consequences of crossing me.”
Images flash through my mind - broken bones, bloodied faces. I push them aside. The dockers have been with us for years. They wouldn’t risk everything for a few measly packets. Loyalty is everything in this business. Without it, we’re nothing but animals tearing each other apart.
“Boss, what do you want me to do?” Marco’s voice pulls me back.
I stride closer to Marco, fixing him with a hard stare. “Investigate. Quietly. Check every angle, every person involved in this shipment. I want to know who’s responsible.”
Marco nods, his face pale. “Yes, boss. I’ll get right on it.”
“And Marco?” I add, my tone leaving no room for misinterpretation. “If you find a leak in our operation, plug it. Permanently.”
He swallows hard, understanding the unspoken order. “Of course, Boss.”
As Marco hurries off, I’m left alone with the crates and my turbulent thoughts. Someone’s testing me, pushing to see how far they can go. They’ll learn soon enough that I don’t bend. I break.
And when I find the rat in our midst, they’ll wish they’d never been born.
With one last look at the crates, I stalk out the warehouse, get in my car and drive off. I grip the steering wheel tight as I navigate the winding roads back home. The setting sun paints the sky blood-red, matching the fury still simmering in my veins. But as the miles roll by, my thoughts drift from business to Adriana.
My wife.
The thought still feels strange, even after these weeks of marriage.
I picture her face - those big, expressive hazel eyes, the way her cheeks flush when I’m near. She’s still skittish sometimes, like a doe ready to bolt at the slightest movement. But there are moments she shows defiance…
“Fuck,” I mutter, shifting in my seat as desire coils low in my gut.
A car horn blares. I’ve drifted into the other lane. Cursing, I jerk the wheel, heart pounding.
“Get it together,” I snarl at myself.
But it’s useless. My thoughts circle back to Adriana like a compass finding true north. The soft curve of her neck. The way she bites her lip when she’s concentrating on her drawings. How she trembled beneath me on our wedding night…
I groan, pressing the accelerator harder. I need to get home. Need to see her.
It’s unsettling, this… feeling. This need. I’ve never allowed anyone to affect me like this.
The mansion comes to view, a fortress of stone and secrets. As I pull into the drive, I catch myself hoping she’ll be there to greet me. It’s a weakness I can’t afford, but one I’m powerless to fight.
I stride through the front door and I’m greeted by the familiar scent of garlic and tomatoes wafting from the kitchen. My stomach growls, reminding me I haven’t eaten since morning. But it’s not food I’m hungry for.
Soft voices drift down the hallway. I follow them, my footsteps quiet. As I round the corner, I see her.
Adriana stands at the counter, chopping vegetables with quick, precise movements. Her dark hair is pulled back in a messy bun, exposing the delicate nape of her neck. Sofia hovers nearby, stirring a pot on the stove.
For a moment, I just watch. Adriana’s brow furrows in concentration, her lips moving slightly as she counts each slice. It’s oddly endearing.
“How are you feeling, cara?” I ask, breaking the silence.
Adriana jumps, the knife clattering to the counter. Her wide eyes meet mine, a blush already coloring her cheeks.
“Dante! I… I didn’t hear you come in,” she stammers.
I move closer, noting how she tenses but doesn’t back away. Progress.
“I asked how you’re feeling,” I repeat, softer this time. “Your cramps… are they better?” It has been a few days since she got her period.
Her blush deepens. “Oh. Yes, much better. Thank you for asking.”
The shy smile she gives me makes my chest tighten. Before I can think better of it, I close the distance between us. My hand cups her cheek, tilting her face up to mine.
“I’m glad,” I say, then capture her lips in a kiss.
Adriana makes a small, startled sound. For a heartbeat, she’s rigid against me. Then, slowly, she melts. Her lips part, soft and pliant under mine. It takes every ounce of self-control not to deepen the kiss, to claim her right here in the kitchen.
When I pull back, Adriana’s eyes are dazed, her cheeks rosy. She looks thoroughly kissed, and satisfaction surges through me.
“I need to shower,” I say, my voice rough with barely contained desire.
As I turn to leave, I catch sight of Sofia. The housekeeper’s face is impassive, but there’s a knowing glint in her eyes. She inclines her head slightly before returning to her cooking.
I stride out of the kitchen, Adriana’s soft gasp of “Dante…” following me down the hall. My name on her lips is sweeter than any symphony.
As I head upstairs, my mind drifts back to the warehouse. The missing drugs gnaw at me, a festering wound in my otherwise ironclad operation. I’ll have to make a call to Carmine and let him know of this.
Sighing, I enter our bedroom. The scent of Adriana lingers here - a delicate floral fragrance that haunts my dreams. I strip quickly, desperate for the cool relief of the shower.
Under the spray, I close my eyes and lean my forehead against the tile. Adriana’s face swims before me - those wide, innocent eyes, that lush mouth. My cock hardens painfully. It’s been a few weeks since I sunk my cock in her delicious cunt on our wedding night. Weeks of holding her as she sleeps, feeling her warm body against mine, smelling the intoxicating scent of her hair. Weeks of aching, burning desire with no release.
“Fuck,” I mutter. I’ve never been this affected by a woman before. Never wanted someone so desperately. The need to possess Adriana, to make her mine in every way, consumes me.
My hand trails down my body, gripping my aching cock. I close my eyes, picturing Adriana. Her shy smile. The way she blushes when I catch her staring. The soft curves of her body pressed against mine when we sleep.
“Adriana,” I groan, stroking myself faster, rougher, imagining it’s Adriana’s soft hand instead of my own. In my mind, she’s here with me, her naked body pressed against mine. I’d lift her easily, pinning her to the shower wall as I thrust into her tight heat. I imagine her breathy moans, the way she’d gasp my name. I’d come in her, mark every inch of her creamy skin with my cum, claiming her as mine.
The pressure builds, coiling tighter. I brace my free hand against the shower wall, my hips jerking as I chase my release. The image of her flushed face, eyes glazed with pleasure, pushes me over the edge. I come with a strangled curse, my seed spilling over my hand.
As the water washes away the evidence, I try to steady my breathing. It’s a poor substitute for what I really want, but it’ll have to do. For now.
I finish showering and dress quickly in dark slacks and a crisp white shirt. My desire for Adriana still simmers, but it’s manageable now. At least until I see her again.
Downstairs, I find her setting the table. She looks up as I enter, a shy smile curving her lips.
“Perfect timing,” she says. “Dinner’s ready.”
I nod, taking my seat at the head of the table. “It smells delicious.”
Adriana sits beside me, smoothing her skirt. “I hope you like it. I tried a new recipe.”
I reach for her hand, squeezing gently. “I’m sure I will.”
I watch Adriana’s face turns red at my touch. Her skin is soft, warm. I want to pull her into my lap, taste those lips, but I restrain myself. Sofia enters with a steaming dish, her eyes flicking between us before she sets it down.
“Thank you, Sofia,” I say, my tone clipped. She nods and retreats to the kitchen.
I serve Adriana first, then myself. The silence stretches, broken only by the clink of cutlery. I need to engage her, draw her out. But my mind’s foggy with lust, making small talk difficult.
“How was your day?” I finally ask, cursing my lack of finesse.
Adriana looks up, “It was uneventful. I didn’t do much work. I spent most of the day reading a book, talking to my friend Valentina and helping Sofia cook lunch and dinner.”
I nod. “I see.”
“What about you?” she asks.
“Well, I spent it giving orders, checking inventory and trying to get my mind off you,” The last bit slips out before I can stop myself.
Adriana’s eyes widen in surprise. “What…what about me?”
“How much I want to fuck you.”
She gasps in shock.
“You-I” she stammers and ducks her head.
I reach out, tilting her chin up. “Don’t hide from me, cara. I want to see you.”
She bites her lip nervously and for a moment, I think she might pull away. Instead, she holds my gaze, despite the wariness in her eyes.
The air between us crackles with tension.
“Don’t worry cara. I won’t fuck you right now, nor here on this table. At least not today,” I tell her and smile when her face gets redder, probably imagining what I said.
I release her, picking up my fork again. “Tell me about this book you read.”
Adriana clears her throat and begins speaking again. I listen intently, filing away every detail. Knowledge is power, after all. And the more I know about my wife, the easier it’ll be to claim her completely. Mind, body and soul.