Chapter Twelve
Dante
The sun glints off the pool’s surface, casting shimmering reflections across Adriana’s bronzed skin. She lounges on a chaise, laughing at something Lucia has said. The sound of her laughter carries across the patio, light and carefree.
I watch them from behind my sunglasses, sipping an Old Fashioned. The ice clinks against the crystal tumbler as I take another sip, the burn of whiskey bellying the heat of the afternoon.
Carmine stretches out in the chair beside me. “They seem to be getting along well,” he remarks.
I grunt in acknowledgment, my eyes never leaving Adriana. She’s different here, more relaxed than I’ve seen her since our wedding day. The tightness around her eyes has eased, replaced by a genuine smile as she chats animatedly with Lucia.
“It’s good for her,” I say finally. “To have a friend in the family.”
Lucia leans in close, whispering something that makes Adriana’s eyes go wide. They both burst into giggles, drawing curious glances from the bodyguards stationed around the perimeter of the property.
I can’t help the way my jaw clenches, a flash of possessiveness coursing through me. Adriana is mine, but seeing her bond with others in the famiglia eases a knot in my chest that I hadn’t realized was there.
“Carmine,” Lucia calls, waving us over. “Dante, come join us.”
We rise, making our way to where the women lounge by the pool’s edge. Adriana’s eyes flick to me, a hint of wariness in their depths before she smiles.
“We were just discussing plans for a spa day,” Lucia explains as we approach. “What do you think about us girls having a little outing?”
I exchange a glance with Carmine, weighing the risks. Lorenzo’s threat from the other night flashes through my mind, making my fists clench involuntarily.
“That sounds lovely,” Adriana says softly, her gaze hopeful as it meets mine.
I nod slowly. “As long as Enzo and Giorgio accompany you.”
Relief and excitement flash across Adriana’s face, quickly masked but not before I catch it. My chest tightens at the realization of how much this means to her.
“Of course,” Lucia agrees easily. “We’ll make a day of it - massages, facials, the works.”
While the women chatter about their plans, I catch Carmine’s knowing look. He raises an eyebrow, silently questioning my protectiveness. I shrug it off, unwilling to examine my motivations too closely.
For now, I’ll focus on keeping Adriana safe. The rest can wait.
As the women leave, their excited voices fading, Carmine and I retreat to the shade of the poolside cabana. The air feels heavier now, thick with unspoken tension.
Carmine breaks the silence. “So, how’s married life treating you, cugino?”
I grunt, reaching for a glass of whiskey. “It’s… fine.”
“Just fine?” Carmine presses, his blue eyes sharp. “You seem awfully protective of your young bride.”
The whiskey burns my throat. “What of it?”
“Nothing,” he shrugs, but his tone suggests otherwise. “Just wondering if there’s more than duty behind those watchful eyes of yours.”
My jaw clenches. “She’s attractive, I’ll admit. And… admirable in her own way. But love?” I scoff, the word tasting bitter. “My heart’s too jaded for that.”
Carmine leans forward, his voice low. “Don’t close yourself off, Dante. Our parents… they’d want you to find happiness.”
The mention of our parents sends a jolt through me. I say nothing, staring into my glass as memories threaten to surface.
“Enough about my love life,” I snarl, desperate to change the subject. “We have more pressing matters. The shipment leak.”
Carmine’s expression hardens, all trace of familial concern vanishing. “You’re right. We need to plug this hole before we drown.”
I nod, grateful for the shift. “I have a plan,” I begin, laying out the trap I’ve set for our famiglia’s rat.
As we strategize, the sun dips lower, casting long shadows across the pool. The coming darkness mirrors the cold determination settling in my chest. Whoever this traitor is, they’ll soon learn the price of betraying us.
* * *
I pace the dimly lit office, hidden behind the facade of my bureau de change. The air feels thick, heavy with anticipation. Marco should arrive any minute.
I pause at the antique desk and watch the security monitors lining the walls. There he appears on the screen, walking toward the office.
A soft knock shortly sounds after.
“Enter,” I command, my voice low and controlled.
Marco steps in, his eyes darting nervously around the room. Good. He should be uneasy.
“You wanted to see me, boss?” His voice wavers slightly.
I fix him with an icy stare. “Sit.”
He obeys, perching on the edge of the leather chair across from me. I remain standing, towering over him.
“Tell me, Marco,” I begin, circling the desk slowly. “How long have you been with our famiglia?”
“T-ten years, sir.”
I nod, considering. “A decade of loyalty. Or so I thought.”
His face pales. “I don’t understand-”
“Don’t insult me with lies,” I snarl, slamming my palms on the desk. Marco flinches. “We know about your little side business with the Genovese crew.”
“No, I swear-”
I cut him off, my voice dangerously soft. “I have proof, Marco. Recordings. Bank transfers. You’ve been a busy little rat, haven’t you?”
The fight drains from him, replaced by naked fear. Good. He should be terrified.
“Please,” he whimpers. “I can explain-”
“Save it!” I snap. “There’s only one way this ends for traitors.”
I lean in close, my words a deadly vow. “And by the time I’m done, you’ll wish I’d killed you quickly.”
I snap my fingers and two of my most trusted men enter, their faces grim. Marco’s eyes widen as they grab him, forcing him to his feet.
“Strip him,” I order coldly.
Marco struggles, his pleas falling on deaf ears. “No, please! Dante, I’ll do anything!”
I watch impassively as they tear his clothes off, leaving him naked and shivering. The stench of his fear fills the room.
“Hold him down,” I command, retrieving a sharp blade from my desk drawer. The metal glints in the dim light, and Marco’s screams turn hysterical.
“You don’t understand loyalty,” I snarl, approaching him. “So I’ll make sure you never forget this lesson.”
The next few minutes are a symphony of screams and blood. I work methodically, my hands steady as I carve away his manhood. Marco’s cries eventually fade to whimpers, his body going limp.
When it’s done, I step back, wiping the blade clean on his discarded shirt. “Get him out of here,” I tell my men. “Make sure he lives. I want him to remember this every day for the rest of his miserable life.”
As they drag Marco away, I feel the anger still burning in my veins. The betrayal cuts deep, reminding me why I can never let my guard down.
I leave the bureau de change, the night air doing little to cool my rage. The drive home is a blur of dark thoughts and violent impulses. By the time I reach the house, my hands are shaking with pent-up emotion.
I slam the front door behind me, the sound echoing through the empty foyer. My blood still boils, Marco’s betrayal a fresh wound. The memory of his screams rings in my ears, but it’s not enough to quell the rage.
I loosen my tie, choking for air. The house feels like a cage. I need release. Solace. Fuck if I know.
My feet carry me upstairs, towards our bedroom. Adriana’s laughter drifts through the closed door, light and carefree. It grates against my frayed nerves.
I burst in, and she jumps, phone clattering to the floor. “Dante! I didn’t hear you come in.”
Her smile fades as she takes in my appearance. “What’s wrong? You seem upset.”
I laugh, the sound harsh even to my own ears. “Upset doesn’t begin to cover it.”
Adriana steps closer, her brow furrowed with concern. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No,” I snap, but then I see the hurt flash across her face. I soften my tone. “It’s been a long day. How was the spa with Lucia?”
She brightens, launching into a story about facials and massages. I try to focus, but my mind keeps drifting back to Marco’s screams.
“Dante?” Adriana’s voice cuts through my dark thoughts. “What’s wrong? You look… haunted.”
I pace, unable to look at her. “Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me,” she says, voice soft but firm. “Something’s bothering you.”
I whirl on her, fists clenched. “You want to know? Fine. One of our own betrayed us. Sold us out to our enemies.”
Adriana’s eyes widen. “Who?”
“Marco,” I spit the name like poison. “That rat bastard thought he could double-cross me and get away with it.”
“What did you do?” she asks, fear and curiosity warring in her eyes.
I laugh, harsh and bitter. “What do you think I did, cara? I made an example of him.”
She flinches, and I hate myself a little for putting that look on her face. But I can’t stop the words from pouring out.
“This is my world, Adriana. Betrayal means death. Or worse.”
She takes a step towards me, hand outstretched. “Dante…”
I jerk away. “Don’t. You don’t understand. You can’t.”
“Then help me understand,” she pleads.
I look at her then, really look at her. So young, so innocent. How can I drag her into this darkness?
But as I stare into her eyes, I see more. Strength. Determination. Maybe…acceptance?
The fight drains out of me, leaving me hollow. “I hate backstabbers,” I mutter. “In this life, loyalty is everything. Without it, we’re nothing.”
Adriana nods slowly, processing. “And Marco… he broke that loyalty?”
“Yeah,” I say, suddenly exhausted. “He did.”
She takes my hand, her touch grounding me. “I’m sorry, Dante. That must have been difficult.”
I close my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. When I open them again, Adriana’s still there, steady and sure. For the first time since discovering Marco’s betrayal, I feel the knot in my chest loosen. Just a little.
I pull Adriana close, burying my face in her hair. She smells like jasmine and safety. My hands grip her waist, desperate for an anchor.
“Dante,” she says my name softly, her breath warm against my neck. “It’s okay. I’m here.”
My emotions snaps. I capture her lips in a searing kiss.
I devour her mouth, my tongue demanding entry. Adriana yields with a soft gasp, her body melting against mine. The taste of her – sweet, innocent – is a foil to the blood and violence that stains my soul.
My hands roam her body, greedy and possessive. I need to claim her, to remind myself that in this fucked-up world, she’s mine.
“Dante,” she breathes as I trail kisses down her neck.
I break away, panting. “I need you, cara. Now.”
Her eyes darken with desire. “Then take me.”
My hands shake as I strip her, revealing soft skin inch by tantalizing inch. She helps me out of my clothes, her touch setting my nerves on fire.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” I growl, admiring her naked body.
I pull her to me and suck one her perfect nipples then lift her onto the bed, covering her with my body. My cock throbs, aching to be inside her.
“Tell me you want this,” I demand, voice rough with need.
Adriana arches against me. “I want you, Dante. All of you.”
I slide into her wet heat, groaning at the tight fit. She whimpers, adjusting to my size.
“That’s it, cara,” I praise, kissing her neck. “Take me.”
I start to move, slow at first, then building to a punishing rhythm. Adriana meets me thrust for thrust, her nails digging into my back.
“You’re fucking perfect,” “I grunt as I gently ran my tongue along the shell of her ear.
Adriana whimpers, her cunt gripping me even tighter. I thrust harder, savoring her every gasp and moan.
“Mine,” I growl, claiming her mouth in a fiery kiss.
She comes apart beneath me, crying out my name. The sound pushes me over the edge, and I follow her into blissful oblivion.
I collapse beside her, both of us breathing heavily. The rage that consumed me earlier has dissipated, replaced by a strange sense of peace.
Adriana turns to face me, her eyes searching mine. “Are you okay?”
The question catches me off guard. “I’m fine,” I grunt, but my voice lacks its usual edge.
She reaches out, tracing the lines of my face with gentle fingers. I close my eyes, allowing myself this moment of vulnerability.
“You don’t have to be strong all the time,” she says.
I open my eyes. “Yes, I do. Weakness gets you killed in this world.”
Adriana frowns. “Feeling isn’t weakness, Dante.”
I pull her closer, burying my face in her hair. The scent of her grounds me. “You don’t understand the things I’ve done, cara. The blood on my hands.”
She stiffens slightly, then relaxes. “Maybe not. But I’m here now. With you.”
The words hang between us, heavy with implications. I stroke her back, marveling at the softness of her skin.
“Why aren’t you afraid of me?” I ask, genuinely curious.
Adriana looks up at me, her gaze steady. “Because I see you, Dante. Not just the cold exterior you show the world.”
My chest tightens. She sees too much. It’s dangerous. But I can’t bring myself to push her away.
Instead, I kiss her forehead. “Get some sleep, cara.”
She nods and settles against my chest. As her breathing evens out, I stare at the ceiling, lost in thought. Something’s changing between us, and I’m not sure I can control it.
The night grows darker. Sleep eludes me as I hold Adriana, acutely aware of the storm brewing on the horizon.