16. Chapter 16 Dante

Chapter 16 Dante

T he acrid smoke of my cigarette curls into the night air as I stand on the balcony of my casino. Below, neon-drenched streets pulse with vice and violence – my domain. But tonight, my thoughts are consumed by one thing: Natalie.

My phone buzzes. Enzo's name flashes on the screen, and I can't help the ghost of a smile that tugs at my lips. My oldest friend, my last tether to a world before all this madness.

"Enzo, you son of a bitch," I growl into the phone. "Where the hell have you been hiding?"

His rich laugh fills my ear. "Dante! Charming as ever, I see. Just torturing a new batch of students with the classics."

"You always were a pretentious prick," I chuckle, allowing myself a moment of nostalgia for simpler times.

"Somebody has to be the sophisticated one, fratello," he teases. "Now, tell me what kind of mess you've landed yourself in this time."

I take a long drag of my cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Well, it's like this..." I launch into the twisted tale of Natalie and me, feeling a strange sense of catharsis as I lay it all out for the one person who's never judged me too harshly.

As I speak, I can't help but picture her – defiant one moment, vulnerable the next. The way her body responds to my touch even as her mind rebels. The intoxicating mix of fear and desire in those whiskey-colored eyes.

"Christ, Dante," Enzo sighs when I finish. "You never do anything by halves, do you?"

"You know me, amico," I reply, a dark chuckle rumbling in my chest. "Go big or go home."

There's a pause, heavy with unspoken concern. "Just... be careful, fratello. This obsession of yours... it's dangerous."

"I know," I admit, surprising myself with the raw honesty in my voice. "But I can't stop. She's in my blood, Enzo. Under my skin. I'll put a bullet in my fucking head before I let her go."

We talk for a few more minutes, trading barbed insults and reminiscing about the old days. When I hang up, I feel both grounded and more on edge than ever.

Enzo means well, but he'll never truly understand the all-consuming mania that is my obsession with Natalie. The utterly depraved lengths I've gone to make that bewitching woman mine. Body, mind, and soul.

I flick away my spent cigarette and turn on my heel, making my way back inside. The familiar weight of my Beretta against my lower back provides a perverse sense of comfort as I stride through the pulsing heart of the casino.

By the time I reach the private elevator to the penthouse suite, I'm already hard with anticipation. My mind drowns in visceral imaginings of just how I'll reaffirm my dominance over Natalie tonight.

The elevator doors slide open with a soft ding, revealing the dimly lit interior of my lair. The air is thick with the scent of jasmine and smoke, a heady combination that instantly sends my senses into overdrive.

I stalk through the shadows, every nerve ending on high alert. I can almost taste her presence, feel the electricity crackling in the air.

And then I see her.

Natalie is curled up in one of the plush armchairs, a book dangling forgotten from her fingertips. She's wearing one of my shirts, the white fabric a stark contrast against her olive skin. Her long legs are bare, and I can see the fading marks of my hands on her thighs.

My cock twitches at the sight, a low growl rumbling up from my chest. She tenses, sensing my presence, but doesn't turn around. Playing coy, as if that will save her from what's coming.

"Hello, solnyshko," I purr, my voice pitched low and dangerous. "Did you miss me?"

I watch as a shiver runs through her, her breath catching audibly. Slowly, she turns to face me, those whiskey eyes blazing with a cocktail of emotions – fear, defiance, and something darker, hotter.

"I wondered when you'd return," she says carefully, each word precise and loaded. "This place does grow so... terribly boring without your unique brand of entertainment."

The bald challenge in her tone is unmistakable, as is the brazen suggestion lurking beneath. It's enough to snap the last thread of my restraint.

In three long strides, I'm across the room. I seize a fistful of her inky hair, wrenching her face up to meet mine as I loom over her trembling form. My other hand finds her throat, squeezing just enough to send a jolt of both fear and arousal through her.

"Entertainment?" I growl against the harsh apple of her cheek. "You want entertainment, moy voron?"

Without waiting for a response, I crush my mouth against hers in a savage, punishing kiss. She struggles for a moment, her small fists beating ineffectually against my chest. But then she melts into me with a broken moan, her body betraying her as it always does.

I ravage her mouth, tasting whiskey and sin on her tongue. My hand slides from her throat to her breast, palming the soft flesh roughly through the thin fabric of my shirt. She arches into my touch, a needy whimper escaping her.

"That's it," I murmur against her lips. "Show me how much you've missed me, you little slut."

I feel her tense at the crude word, a flicker of that ever-present defiance sparking in her eyes. But before she can voice her protest, I silence her with another bruising kiss.

My hand travels lower, pushing up the hem of the shirt to find her bare and already wet. I groan at the discovery, two fingers easily sliding into her pussy.

"So eager," I taunt, pumping my fingers slowly in and out. "Your mouth says no, but your cunt... oh, your cunt knows exactly who it belongs to, doesn't it?"

Natalie whimpers, her hips rocking against my hand of their own accord. I can see the internal war raging behind her eyes – the part of her that still wants to fight warring with the part that craves my touch like a drug.

"Please," she gasps, though whether she's begging me to stop or continue, I'm not sure she even knows.

I withdraw my fingers abruptly, earning a frustrated whine from her. "Not yet, little raven," I chuckle darkly. "The night is young, and I have plans for us."

I step back, drinking in the sight of her – flushed and panting, my shirt rucked up around her waist, her eyes wild with a mixture of hate and hunger. It's a vision that never fails to stoke the fire in my belly.

"Get up," I command. "We're going out."

Confusion flickers across her face. "Out? But I thought—"

"You thought wrong," I cut her off sharply. "Now be a good girl and do as you're told. Unless you'd rather I punish you first?"

The threat hangs heavy in the air between us. For a moment, I think she might challenge me – part of me hopes she will. But then she lowers her eyes in submission, a sight that sends a fresh surge of lust through me.

"No," she says softly. "I'll be good."

"Excellent choice," I purr, reaching out to stroke her cheek almost tenderly. "Now, let's get you dressed. I want you looking absolutely ravishing tonight."

I lead her to the massive walk-in closet, flicking on the lights to reveal racks upon racks of designer gowns, lingerie, and shoes – all in her size, all chosen specifically to accentuate her lush curves.

"Arms up," I instruct, and she complies wordlessly as I peel my shirt off her body, leaving her naked before me.

I take my time selecting her outfit, reveling in the way she shivers under my appraising gaze. Finally, I settle on a blood-red gown that clings to her every curve, the neckline plunging dangerously low. The fabric is whisper-thin, leaving little to the imagination.

"Perfect," I growl, running my hands down her sides as I zip her into the dress. "You'll be the envy of every woman and the desire of every man. But they can look all they want – you belong to me."

I fasten a diamond collar around her throat, the jewels glittering like ice against her flushed skin. It's as much a statement of ownership as it is an accessory.

"There," I murmur, turning her to face the full-length mirror. "Look at yourself, Natalie. Look at how fucking beautiful you are when you submit to me."

Her eyes meet mine in the reflection, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. I can see the moment she realizes just how exposed she'll be in this outfit, how vulnerable.

"Dante, I can't—" she starts, but I silence her with a sharp smack to her ass that echoes in the quiet room.

"You can, and you will," I hiss in her ear, pressing my erection against the small of her back. "Unless you'd rather I bend you over right here and fuck you senseless before we leave?"

A shudder runs through her body, and I watch with dark satisfaction as her nipples harden visibly through the thin fabric.

"That's what I thought," I chuckle, nipping at her earlobe. "Now, let's not keep our guests waiting, solnyshko."

I guide her out of the penthouse and into the private elevator, my hand a possessive brand on the small of her back. As we descend, I can feel the tension radiating off her in waves.

"Remember, moy voron," I murmur, my lips brushing against her temple. "You're mine. Every inch of you belongs to me. And tonight, I'm going to make sure everyone knows it."

The elevator doors slide open, revealing the opulent lobby of Club Lusso. The air thrums with bass-heavy music and the heady scent of alcohol and desire. Bodies writhe on the dance floor, a mass of flesh and fabric moving in hypnotic rhythm.

As we step out, all eyes turn to us. I can feel Natalie stiffen beside me, but I keep her moving forward with a firm hand on her back. We make our way to the VIP section, where my most trusted associates await.

"Gentlemen," I call out, my voice carrying over the music. "Allow me to introduce you to Natalie. My fiance...and companion for the evening."

I watch their eyes rove over her hungrily, drinking in every curve accentuated by the clinging red fabric. Natalie shrinks back against me, clearly uncomfortable under their leering gazes.

"Easy, solnyshko," I whisper in her ear, my arm snaking around her waist. "You're doing beautifully. Now, let's get you a drink."

As we make our way through the club, I feel eyes on us from every direction. Natalie's beauty in that red dress is like a flame drawing moths, and I'm the shadow ready to consume them all.

We approach the VIP section, where a group of my associates are gathered. Among them is Alessandra Ricci, daughter of one of the most powerful families in the city. Her calculating gaze sweeps over us, lingering on Natalie with unconcealed interest.

"Dante," she purrs, rising to greet us. "What a pleasant surprise. And who is this vision in red?"

I feel Natalie tense beside me as Alessandra's eyes roam over her form. "This is Natalie," I say coolly, my hand tightening possessively on her waist. "My guest for the evening."

Alessandra's perfectly manicured hand extends towards Natalie. "Charmed, I'm sure. Perhaps you'd like to join me for a drink? I'm always eager to get to know Dante's... friends."

There's a predatory gleam in Alessandra's eyes that sets my teeth on edge. I know her reputation - she's as ruthless in the boardroom as she is in the bedroom, and she's never been one to let a little thing like someone else's claim get in her way.

Before I can intervene, Natalie surprises me by taking Alessandra's hand. "Thank you for the offer," she says, her voice steady despite the tension I can feel thrumming through her body. "But I think I'll stay with Dante."

Alessandra's smile doesn't falter, but I see the flash of annoyance in her eyes. "Of course," she says smoothly. "Another time, perhaps. When you're not so... attached."

I pull Natalie closer, a clear message to Alessandra and anyone else watching. "I wouldn't count on it," I growl. "Natalie isn't going anywhere."

As we move away, I lean down to whisper in Natalie's ear. "Well done, solnyshko. But don't think I didn't notice how your body responded to her attention. We'll discuss that later."

Natalie shivers against me, whether from fear or anticipation, I can't tell. But the night is young, and I intend to explore every facet of her reactions before it's over.

I guide her to the bar, acutely aware of the eyes following our every move. The game has only just begun, and I'm determined to show everyone in Club Lusso exactly who Natalie belongs to.

When I pull away, we're both breathless. "Now," I growl, "let's dance, I want to see you move."

I lead her to the dance floor, pulling her flush against me as the music pulses around us. Her body moves with mine, every curve fitting perfectly against me. I can feel the heat of her through the thin fabric of her dress, smell the intoxicating scent of her perfume mixed with the faint tang of fear-sweat.

As we dance, I let my hands roam freely over her body, proprietary and possessive. I catch glimpses of envious and lustful gazes from those around us, and it only fuels my desire to claim her more thoroughly.

"Do you see how they look at you?" I whisper in her ear, my voice rough with need. "How they want you? But they can't have you. You're mine, Natalie. Only mine."

She whimpers, her hips grinding against me in a way that makes my cock throb painfully in my tailored pants. "Dante, please," she gasps, though whether she's begging me to stop or continue, I'm not sure she even knows.

I spin her around, pressing her back to my chest as we move to the pulsing beat. One hand splays across her stomach, holding her against me, while the other trails up to ghost over her throat.

"Please what, solnyshko?" I growl, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Tell me what you want. Beg for it."

She hesitates, her body trembling against mine. I can practically taste the conflict radiating off her – the part of her that wants to submit warring with the fierce, independent woman she used to be.

"I... I want..." she starts, her voice barely audible over the music.

But before she can finish, the song changes, the heavy beat giving way to something slower, more sensual. I turn her to face me again, one hand on her lower back, the other tangling in her hair.

"You want this," I murmur, my lips a breath away from hers. "You want me to take you right here, in front of everyone. To show them all that you're mine."

Her eyes flutter closed, a soft moan escaping her as I roll my hips against hers. "Yes," she breathes, so quietly I almost miss it.

It's all the invitation I need. I capture her lips in a searing kiss, pouring all my possessive hunger into it. She responds with equal fervor, her arms wrapping around my neck as she presses herself closer.

We lose ourselves in the music, in the heat of our bodies moving together. The world around us fades away, until it's just us – predator and prey, locked in our eternal dance of desire and dominance.

As the night wears on, I can feel Natalie's resistance crumbling. She leans into my touches more readily, her eyes growing heavy-lidded with desire. It's intoxicating, watching her slowly surrender to the darkness within her.