Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dimitr i

I panted, staring into Gianna's beautiful green eyes. Well, this was unexpected. I was supposed to seduce her, not mate with her. Funny how plans change.

"Well, sweetheart," I smirked, trying to mask the whirlwind of emotions with my usual bravado, "looks like you're stuck with me now. Lucky you."

But even as the words left my mouth, I felt the weight of what had just happened. She was mine. The realization hit me like a stake to the heart—in a good way, if that's possible.

"I am lucky," she said breathlessly, her eyes shining with a mix of awe and desire.

I couldn't help but smirk, even as her words sent an unexpected warmth through my chest. "Careful there, sweetheart. You might inflate my ego even more."

But as I gazed into those mesmerizing green eyes, I felt my usual walls crumbling. Damn, this girl was getting under my skin in ways I never thought possible.

"You know," I murmured, tracing my thumb along her jawline, "I'm the lucky one here. But if you tell anyone I said that, I'll deny it to my last breath."

She laughed softly, the sound doing funny things to my supposedly dead heart. I leaned in, my lips barely brushing against hers. "Now, how about we make the most of our luck?"

"My pleasure," I said as kissed her again.

As we lost ourselves in each other again, a nagging voice in the back of my mind kept whispering that this was more than just pleasure. It was dangerous, exhilarating, and terrifyingly real.

Later, as we lay tangled together, spent and satisfied, reality came crashing back like the waves rolling up on the beach. I stroked her hair, my mind racing. Here I was, holding my mate—god, that word felt foreign—while plotting to betray her family.

I had to steal two magical objects from Angelo Santi, her brother, the vampire mafia king. All to keep her and my brother safe. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.

What would she do when she learned what I had done? Would those beautiful green eyes look at me with hatred? The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

But it wasn't the first time I was labeled a traitor.

"Hey," I said softly, masking my turmoil with a smirk, " don't go falling in love with me now. I'm nothing but trouble, remember?"

But even as I said it, I knew it was too late. For both of us.

She ran her fingers through my hair. "We need to get back to the party before they come looking for us."

I sighed. "I guess I did promise you that, didn't I?"

She scraped her fangs over my neck. "Yes, you did."

I wanted her to feed on me as much as I wanted to taste her, but there wasn't time to explore that pleasure.

We untangled ourselves and, using our vampire speed, got dressed. The cool night air raised goosebumps on my skin, a stark contrast to the heat we'd just shared.

I clasped her hand, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers as I led her back to the bar.

The minute we entered, the cacophony of voices and clinking glasses assaulted my heightened senses. Dear old dad rushed over toward me like a charging bull, his face a mask of fury.

My muscles tensed instinctively, preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

I glanced over at Gianna. She had sand in her tousled hair and clinging to her dress. Her lips were swollen from my kisses, a sight that sent a jolt of possessive pride through me.

Before I could react, Petar shoved me so hard I slammed into the wall, the impact knocking the air from my lungs. Well, hello to you too, buddy.

"Where the hell have you been?" he snarled, his breath hot on my face and reeking of expensive bourbon. "What did you do to the princess? I'm her bodyguard. Her brother chose me. Not you."

I smirked, despite the dull ache spreading across my back. "Aw, feeling left out, Petar? Don't worry, I'm sure there's a princess out there for you too. Maybe in a fairytale book?"

Augustus, Valentin, and some other guys headed over toward us. The disapproval landed on me as usual. What else was new?

Augustus narrowed his eyes. "Hey, stop."

"Petar, no," Gianna clasped his arm. "Leave him alone." She pulled her lips, revealing sharp fangs. "You don't have any right to tell me what to do."

That's my girl. Feisty and fabulous.

He grabbed her arm. "I do too. Your brother doesn't want him around you. He told?—"

Anger surged through me at his hypocritical words. He didn't give a shit about Gianna. I felt my own fangs elongate, a growl building in my chest.

"You know," I drawled, my voice dangerously low, "I was going to let you finish that sentence. But then you put your hands on her."

I swung my fist, plowing it into his face. He fell on his ass, knocking into people dancing. Oops, did I do that?

"Don't ever touch her," I snarled, standing over him. "She's not yours to protect. She's mine."

I turned to Gianna, my eyes softening for a moment. "You okay, sweetheart? "

Valentin reached me, casting a disapproving look over Gianna's appearance. "Dimitri." I could hear the disappointment in his voice.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Save the lecture, Valentin. I know, I know. I'm a disappointment to the family name, yada yada. But hey, at least I'm consistent, right?"

I wrapped an arm around Gianna's waist, pulling her close. "Now, if you'll excuse us, the princess and I have some more disappointing to do."

Petar got up off the floor as if he was going to charge me again.

Gianna stepped in front of me as if I needed a shield. "Don't even think about it Petar." She held her head up high. "I have a new bodyguard."

I broke out in a lopsided smile at the humiliation in Petar's eyes. Nothing like being fired in front of everyone.

Petar wiped the blood off his mouth. "Angelo will not be pleased."

She squeezed my hand tight. "Let me worry about my brother. We're mated."

Valentin clasped my arm. "Dimitri, what have you done?" He lowered his voice. "Angelo will kill you."

Gianna lifted her head high, as if she was a princess used to getting her way. "Not if I have to anything to say about it."

Valentin ignored her and stared at me. "You're not one of them. You can't go into the mafia." The disappointment in his voice was like a cold slap. If I sided with Gianna, it meant I would be the traitor again .

I plastered on my most infuriating smirk. "What can I say? I've always been an overachiever when it comes to disappointing the family."

"That's not even half of it, Valentin," Petar drawled. "He's decided to go into the Santi family business. He's coming back to New Orleans with me."

I wanted to hit him again. He was enjoying hurting Valentin yet again. If I had a sword, I would have sliced his head right off. Note to self: start carrying a sword.

Valentin searched my eyes as if waiting for me to deny it, to pledge my allegiance with Dracula.

Once again, I had to protect him. Petar had me over the barrel. If I didn't do what he wanted, Petar would hurt Valentin with the fucking Malefic Puppet. Or if he didn't, the damn high priestess would.

The music had stopped playing and people gathered around us like an angry judgmental jury, waiting for my answer. The silence was stifling like waiting for a judge to pass sentence.

I met my brother's eyes. He had always looked up to me. I had fought to keep him safe my entire life. His mate, Rose, stood next to him and clutched his hand. I wanted to tell him why I was doing it, but if I did, he and Rose would try to intervene. This was the only way to save him.

Even if it meant he would never forgive me.

I gave him a wry smile. "You didn't think being a good boy was my style, did you?"

I turned to the crowd, spreading my arms wide. "Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round for the shocking revelation of the century: Dimitri Dragan, black sheep extraordinaire, is embracing his dark side. Try to contain your surprise."

Valentin struggled not to break down. It reminded me of how he had tried to remain tough as nails when Petar beat him or verbally humiliated him. I had hurt him, just as badly as Petar had. He would never forgive me. But at least he'd be safe, and that's all that mattered.

I softened my tone just a fraction as I faced him, masking my pain with a smirk. "Look, brother, we both know I was never cut out for the hero gig—that's always been your department. White knight, savior of puppies, defender of all things good and pure. Me? I'm more the dashing rogue type. Might as well lean into my natural talents, right?"

I pulled Gianna closer, my eyes challenging anyone to object. "Besides, I've got a princess to corrupt. Can't let all this charm go to waste, can I? Someone's got to keep the bad boy reputation alive in this family."

Valentin disappeared into the crowd, pulling Rose with him. He had her. She loved him unconditionally. Had stood by his side when no one else would. She would help heal his broken heart. Lucky him.

I called after him, unable to resist one more last statement to prove to Petar I would follow him. "Don't worry, I'll send a post card from the dark side! Maybe even a fruit basket if I'm feeling generous."

Inside, my heart was breaking. But I'd be damned if I'd let them see it. After all, I had a reputation to uphold. And if playing the villain kept both Valentin and Gianna safe, well, it wouldn't be the first time I'd worn that mask.

I turned to Gianna, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively. "Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted? I believe I promised you a night of corruption and scandal."