26. Chapter 26 Dante

Chapter 26 Dante

T he taste of blood lingers on my tongue as I survey my empire from the balcony. The Mediterranean sprawls before me, deceptively calm – a stark contrast to the storm raging in my veins. My men scurry below like ants, arming themselves for the coming onslaught. They know death stalks us all today.

But fear? Fear is for the weak. And I am anything but weak.

I grip the railing, cold metal biting into my palm. The pain's a welcome distraction from the carnival of worst-case scenarios playing out in my head. Victory's gonna cost me, but losing? That's not a fucking option.

Not when I've got her.

Natalie. My obsession. My weakness. My whole damn world wrapped up in a package of curves and defiance.

And maybe, if things go as planned, the future mother of my children. The thought hits me like a sucker punch, leaving me breathless. I've never wanted a family, never saw the point in passing on my fucked-up legacy. But with Natalie? The idea of her swollen with my child, of creating something pure from our twisted love – it's intoxicating.

I shake my head, trying to clear the image. Now's not the time for daydreams. We've got a war to win first.

The Corsini’s think they can take her from me. Nazarov, that smug bastard, actually believes he can tear apart everything I've built. They don't get it. They've lit a fuse that's gonna blow this whole city sky-high.

I'll paint the streets red before I let them lay a finger on her.

The door creaks open behind me. Alonzo. Good dog, always on time.

"Boss," he rumbles, "they've breached the outer perimeter. It's only a matter of time."

I nod, feeling the tension coil tighter in my chest. "Hold them back. I want a body count higher than my stock portfolio."

Alonzo hesitates. I can practically hear the gears grinding in his thick skull. "And... Natalie?"

My jaw clenches. "Where is she?"

"In her quarters. Locked up tight, just like you ordered."

The vise around my heart loosens a fraction. She's still safe. For now. But it's not enough. It's never enough.

"She won't stay put," I mutter. "Stubborn little firecracker's gonna try something stupid."

A dark smile tugs at my lips. "Let her try. Those bars'll hold up better than her resolve."

I dismiss Alonzo with a wave, my mind already ten steps ahead. The coming bloodbath, the lives I'm about to snuff out – it all pales compared to the war raging inside me. The need to possess her, to claim her so completely that she forgets her own name.

To make her mine in every way possible.

I stride through the villa's maze-like halls, each step bringing me closer to her, to the inevitable showdown. The air crackles with tension, thick enough to choke on.

I pause outside her door, steeling myself before pushing it open.

Natalie stands by the window, backlit by the morning sun like some twisted angel of vengeance. All sharp angles and coiled tension, a dark reflection of the woman I've molded her into. My eyes devour every curve, every shadow. She knows I'm here, but she doesn't turn.

For a moment, I let myself imagine her silhouette changed, rounded with the swell of pregnancy. Our child, growing inside her. A perfect blend of her fire and my darkness.

I push the thought aside, focusing on the here and now.

"Regretting your life choices yet, solnyshko?" The words slip out, dripping with dark amusement.

She turns slowly, those storm-gray eyes locking onto mine. "Which ones? Trusting you, or not killing you in your sleep?"

I can't help the chuckle that escapes me. Even now, she's got fire. "Both. Neither. Take your pick."

"What does it matter? Can’t you see…" she shoots back. "We're way past the point of no return, Dante."

I close the distance between us in two long strides, reaching out to cup her chin. She doesn't flinch. Doesn't pull away. That's my girl.

"Oh, Natalie," I murmur, thumb brushing her lower lip. "We haven't even hit the climax of this fucked-up fairy tale."

I pull her closer, feeling the heat of her body seep into mine. Her breath catches, but she holds her ground. That's the thing about Natalie – she's as drawn to the darkness as I am, even if she won't admit it.

"Stay here," I command, voice a low growl. "No matter what kind of hellfire rains down out there, you don't leave this room. Got it?"

Her eyes flash with that delicious defiance. For a moment, I think she'll tell me to go fuck myself. But she swallows it down, nodding once.

I lean in, capturing her lips in a bruising kiss. When I pull back, she's breathless, pupils blown wide.

"Remember who you belong to, moy voron," I murmur against her mouth. "From head to toe...and all the broken pieces in between."

I leave her there, knowing she'll obey. Because she has to. Because if she doesn't... I shove the thought aside.

There's a war to win.

The villa's a powder keg of tension as I make my way to the command center. My men snap to attention, fear and determination etched on their faces. Good. They should be afraid. Not of the Corsinis, but of what I'll do to them if they fuck this up.

Alonzo stands at a map covered in red markers. The Corsinis' forces, closing in from all sides like a noose.

"Let them come," I say, voice cold as a corpse. "Time to show these fuckers what happens when you poke the bear."

A soldier bursts in, face white as a sheet. "Boss, they're here. They've breached the second line."

Adrenaline floods my veins, setting every nerve ending on fire. Showtime.

"Move out," I bark.

The world explodes into chaos as we step outside. Gunfire erupts, a symphony of death that'd make Mozart weep. I watch the first wave of Corsinis fall, their bodies hitting the dirt like a fucked-up game of dominoes.

But they keep coming. An endless tide of cannon fodder, each one thinking they'll be the hero who takes down Dante Corleone.

I raise my gun, picking off soldiers with the precision of a surgeon. Each shot is for her. Each life snuffed out brings me one step closer to keeping her safe.

A blast rocks the ground, nearly knocking me on my ass. I look up to see the main gate shatter, Corsini men pouring through the breach like roaches. My men are overwhelmed, falling back under the onslaught.

And then I see him. Nazarov Corsini. The man who dared to threaten what's mine.

Time slows as I take aim. The bullet leaves my gun, cutting through the air like it's got a personal vendetta. But at the last second, Nazarov moves. The shot grazes his shoulder instead of blowing his black heart to kingdom come.

Rage, hot and vicious, burns through me. He was right fucking there. And I missed.

"Slippery bastard," I mutter, already lining up my next shot.

The battle descends into madness. I fight like a man possessed, leaving a trail of bodies in my wake. But it's not enough. It'll never be enough until Nazarov's cooling at my feet.

A scream cuts through the chaos – one I'd recognize anywhere. Natalie.

My blood runs cold as I spin towards the sound. A group of Corsinis have broken through, heading for her quarters.

"Not on my fucking watch." The words come out as a feral growl as I rush forward.

I can't let them reach her. I won't. She's mine, and I won't lose her now.

I fight my way through the carnage, single-minded in my purpose. But they're too far ahead. Doubt, sharp and poisonous, seeps into my mind.

What if I'm too late?

I reach her door just as it splinters under the force of a Corsini's boot. Time slows to a crawl as I raise my gun, praying I'm not about to lose everything.

The door flies open, and there she is. Natalie. My dark angel. The future mother of my children.

Our eyes lock, and in that moment, I know. No matter what happens next, she's mine. Forever.

I pull the trigger, watching the Corsini drop like a sack of shit. Natalie stands there, eyes wide, chest heaving.

"Told you to stay put, solnyshko," I drawl, stepping over the body. "Can't leave you alone for five minutes without you stirring up trouble."

She glares at me, all fire and fury. "Screw you, Dante. I had it under control."

I can't help but laugh, the sound dark and rich. "Sure you did, sweetheart. Now come on, we've got a war to win."

I grab her arm, pulling her close. She fights me for a second before melting against me.

"You're bleeding," she mutters, fingers ghosting over a cut on my cheek.

"It's not mine," I lie, ignoring the sting. "Now, you gonna be a good girl and do what I say?"

She looks up at me, those storm-gray eyes swirling with a cocktail of emotions I can't even begin to decipher. "Do I have a choice?"

I grin, all teeth and dark promises. "Always, little raven. But we both know you'll make the right one."

She shivers, and I feel it down to my bones. "I hate you," she whispers, but there's no venom in it.

"I know," I murmur, pressing a bruising kiss to her lips. "Now let's go show these fuckers what happens when you mess with what's mine."

We step out into the chaos, Natalie tucked safely against my side. The villa's a warzone, bodies littering the ground like fallen leaves. But I've never felt more alive.

Because she's here. She's safe. And I'll burn this whole fucking world to the ground to keep it that way.

"Stay close," I growl, feeling her nod against my chest. "And try not to get yourself killed. I'd hate to have to resurrect you just to kill you myself."

She snorts, a sound so incongruous with the carnage around us that I can't help but smile. "Your concern is touching, really."

We make our way through the battlefield, my gun never silent for long. Natalie stays glued to my side, her eyes wide and alert. She's stronger than she knows, my little firecracker.

We're almost to the command center when I spot him. Nazarov. The fucker's managed to penetrate deep into my territory.

"Well, well," he calls out, that smug grin plastered on his face. "If it isn't the happy couple. How sweet."

I push Natalie behind me, raising my gun. "Last words, asshole. Make 'em count."

Nazarov laughs, the sound grating on my nerves. "Oh, Dante. Always so dramatic. You really think you can win this?"

"I don't think," I snarl, finger tightening on the trigger. "I know."

But before I can pull the trigger, all hell breaks loose. An explosion rocks the villa, sending debris raining down around us. I grab Natalie, shielding her with my body as we're thrown to the ground.

When the dust settles, Nazarov's gone. Slippery bastard slithered away in the chaos.

"Dante," Natalie gasps, her voice muffled against my chest. "Are you okay?"

I grunt, ignoring the sharp pain in my side. "Never better, dolcezza. You?"

She pulls back, eyes roving over me. "You're hurt."

"It's nothing," I dismiss, even as I feel warm blood seeping through my shirt. "We've got bigger problems."

As if on cue, Alonzo's voice crackles over the radio. "Boss, we're overrun. They're pushing us back to the east wing."

"Fuck," I mutter, hauling myself to my feet and pulling Natalie up with me. "Looks like it's time for Plan B."

She arches an eyebrow. "There's a Plan B?"

I grin, all teeth and dark promises. "Oh, solnyshko. There's always a Plan B."

I lead her through the chaos, dodging bullets and bodies as we make our way to a hidden passage. It's our last resort, a way out I never thought I'd have to use.

"Where are we going?" Natalie asks as I pull her into the dark tunnel.

"Somewhere safe," I reply, my voice echoing off the stone walls. "Somewhere they'll never find us…you’ll like it, Enzo is already there."

She falls silent, but I can feel the questions radiating off her. I don't have answers, not yet. All I know is that I need to get her out of here, need to keep her safe.

Because without her, none of this matters. The empire, the power, the blood I've spilled – it's all worthless if she's not by my side.

We emerge from the tunnel into blinding sunlight. A helicopter waits, blades already spinning.

"Your chariot awaits, princess," I shout over the noise, guiding her towards the chopper.

She hesitates, looking back at the villa – at the life we're leaving behind. "Dante, I–"

I cup her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. "Hey. Look at me. It's gonna be okay. You trust me, right?"

She stares at me for a long moment, those storm-gray eyes searching mine. Then, slowly, she nods.

"That's my girl," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Now let's get the fuck out of here."

We climb into the chopper, the door slamming shut behind us. As we lift off, I watch my empire shrink beneath us, smoke rising from the ruins of what I've built.

But I've got Natalie. And as long as I have her, I can rebuild. I can conquer the whole fucking world if I have to.

Because she's mine. And I'm never letting her go.

The chopper banks, turning towards the open sea. Towards our future, whatever the hell that might be.

I pull Natalie close, feeling her heartbeat against my chest. My hand rests on her flat stomach, and for a moment, I let myself imagine it swollen with our child. A legacy born from fire and darkness.

"Ready for a new adventure, solnyshko?"

She looks up at me, a small, enigmatic smile playing on her lips. “With you? For the first time, I think that’s a yes.”

I grin, feeling something warm and dangerous unfurl in my chest. "That's what I like to hear."

As we fly off into the unknown, I can't help but laugh. Let them come. Let the whole fucking world try to take her from me.

They'll learn. Everyone always does.

You don't fuck with Dante Corleone. And you sure as hell don't touch what's his.

Game on, motherfuckers. Game on.