28. Chapter 28 Dante

Chapter 28 Dante

T he first rays of sunlight filter through the curtains, painting Natalie's naked body in a golden glow. My eyes trace the curves I've memorized, the marks I've left. Mine. All mine.

But even as desire stirs in my gut, my mind races with plans and threats. The Corsinis. Sergei. A thousand ways this could all go to hell.

I ghost my fingers over Natalie's flat stomach, imagining it swollen with my child. Why isn't she pregnant yet? We've fucked enough to populate a small country. The thought of her carrying my heir, a physical manifestation of my claim on her, makes my cock throb.

Natalie stirs, those stormy eyes fluttering open. For a moment, there's peace in her gaze. Then reality crashes in, and I watch the walls go up.

"Morning, solnyshko," I murmur, voice still rough with sleep. "Sleep well?"

She stretches, catlike, and I have to fight the urge to pin her to the mattress. "As well as can be expected," she says, wariness creeping into her tone. "What's the plan for today? More running and hiding?"

I chuckle, dark and low. "Oh, moy voron. We're done hiding. Today, we start fighting back."

Natalie's breath catches, a mix of fear and something darker – excitement, maybe – flashing in her eyes. "What does that mean, exactly?"

Instead of answering, I capture her lips in a bruising kiss. She resists for a heartbeat before melting against me, her body betraying her like always. I growl into her mouth, grinding my hardness against her thigh.

"It means," I pant when we break apart, "that I'm going to show you exactly how my empire runs. And then I'm going to fuck you senseless before I go to war."

A shudder runs through her, but she doesn't pull away. Progress.

I'm about to make good on my promise when my phone buzzes. Cursing, I reach for it, keeping Natalie pinned beneath me. The message is encrypted, but I decode it quickly.

Nazarov on the move. Heading to the old warehouse district. Possible meeting with Sergei. - A

My blood runs cold, then hot with fury. Sergei, that two-faced son of a bitch. The urge to put a bullet between his eyes wars with the need to keep Natalie safe, to bury myself in her warmth and forget the world outside.

"Dante?" Natalie's voice pulls me back. "What is it?"

I debate how much to tell her. She's stronger than she knows, my little raven. But every piece of information I give her is another way she could get herself killed.

"Business," I say finally, rolling off her. "Get dressed. I've got something to show you."

Thirty minutes later, we're walking through the lower levels of the villa. I watch Natalie take it all in – the state-of-the-art security systems, the hidden armory, the command center that would make the Pentagon jealous.

"Jesus," she breathes, eyes wide. "This is..."

"Power," I finish for her. "This is what it takes to stay on top in my world."

I lead her to a reinforced door, punching in a code. It swings open to reveal a room full of screens, each displaying a different part of my empire. Casino floors, shipping docks, even the streets of Accel City – all under my watchful eye.

"This is how I keep us safe," I tell her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "How I know everything that happens in my city."

Natalie's silent for a long moment, taking it all in. Then she turns to me, something like awe in her expression. "Why are you showing me this?"

I cup her face, thumb tracing her cheekbone. "Because you're mine, solnyshko. My queen. And it's time you understood exactly what that means."

Her pulse quickens under my touch, and I can't resist claiming her mouth again. She responds eagerly, her hands fisting in my shirt. I hoist her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the nearest flat surface – a control panel, as it turns out.

I set her down, wedging myself between her thighs. My hands roam her body, relearning every dip and curve. Natalie moans as I nip at her neck, leaving marks that brand her as mine.

"Dante," she gasps, grinding against me. "We shouldn't – not here –"

"Why not?" I growl, hiking up her skirt. "I own every inch of this place. Every inch of you."

My fingers find her already wet, and I grin against her skin. "So eager for me, aren't you? Such a good little slut."

Natalie whimpers, torn between arousal and shame. I love reducing her to this, to pure need and want. I slide two fingers into her heat, curling them just right.

"That's it," I croon as she bucks against my hand. "Take what you need. Show me how much you want this. Want me."

Her nails dig into my shoulders as she rides my fingers, chasing her release. I drink in the sight of her – flushed cheeks, parted lips, eyes dark with lust. Mine. All mine.

Just as she's about to tip over the edge, I pull my hand away. Natalie cries out in frustration, glaring at me. I smirk, bringing my fingers to my mouth and sucking them clean.

"Patience, solnyshko," I murmur. "I'm not done with you yet."

I unzip my pants, freeing my aching cock. Natalie's eyes widen, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. Without warning, I thrust into her, burying myself to the hilt.

We both groan at the sensation. She's tight, so fucking tight, like she was made for me. I set a punishing pace, each thrust driving us both higher.

"Look at the screens," I command, gripping her hair and forcing her to face the wall of monitors. "Look at my empire. All of this is mine. And so are you."

Natalie moans, her walls clenching around me. I know she's close, can feel it in the way she trembles.

"Come for me," I growl in her ear. "Come on my cock while you look at everything I've built. Everything I'll give you if you just submit."

That pushes her over the edge. Natalie comes with a cry, her body convulsing around me. The sight of her undone, surrounded by images of my power, is too much. I follow her into oblivion, spilling deep inside her with a guttural groan.

For a moment, we stay like that, panting and intertwined. Then reality comes crashing back. I pull out slowly, savoring her whimper at the loss.

As we straighten our clothes, my phone buzzes again. Another encrypted message, this time from Enzo.

Meeting set. 1 hour. Bring the fire.

"Fuck," I mutter. Natalie looks at me questioningly, but I shake my head. "I've got to go. Business."

Her eyes narrow. "What kind of business?"

I debate lying, but decide on a partial truth. "The kind that keeps us alive and on top. I need you to stay here with Enzo. He'll keep you safe."

"Like hell," Natalie snaps, fire blazing in her eyes. "I'm not some damsel in distress, Dante. I can handle myself."

God, I love it when she gets feisty. Makes me want to bend her over and fuck her all over again. But there's no time.

I grab her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. "I know you can, solnyshko. But this isn't up for debate. You stay here, where it's safe. Where I know nothing can touch what's mine."

She jerks away, fury written across her face. "I don’t like this," she hisses. "I'm not some collector’s item you can lock away."

I laugh, dark and humorless. "Oh, but you are. Every inch of you belongs to me, Natalie. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be."

Before she can argue further, I pull her in for a bruising kiss. She fights it for a moment before surrendering, like always. When I pull back, we're both breathing hard.

"I'll be back soon," I promise, stroking her cheek. "Be good for me, okay?"

Natalie doesn't respond, but I can see the conflict in her eyes. Part of her wants to fight, to run. But a bigger part – the part that craves what only I can give her – is winning.

I leave her there, knowing Enzo will keep her safe. As I head to the garage, my mind races with plans and contingencies. Sergei and Nazarov think they can outmaneuver me? They're about to learn why I'm the king of Accel fucking city.

The drive to the meeting point is tense, my knuckles white on the steering wheel. I can't shake the image of Natalie – flushed and wanting, surrounded by screens showing my empire. Soon, I promise myself. Soon she'll accept her place by my side, and we'll rule this city together.

But first, I've got a rat to exterminate.

The warehouse looms ahead, a decrepit hulk on the edge of the district. I park a block away, checking my weapons one last time. Two guards flank the entrance, trying and failing to look inconspicuous.

I approach openly, hands in my pockets. No need for stealth – not when I'm about to rain hellfire on these fuckers.

"Gentlemen," I call out, voice dripping with false cheer. "Lovely day for a meeting, isn't it?"

The guards tense, hands moving to their weapons. But before they can draw, I've got my gun out. Two shots, quick and silent thanks to the suppressor. They drop like stones.

I step over their bodies, kicking open the rusted door. The warehouse is dim, dust motes dancing in shafts of sunlight. And there, in the center of the cavernous space, stand Sergei and Nazarov.

"Dante," Sergei says, his voice carefully neutral. "We weren't expecting you so soon."

I smile, all teeth and no warmth. "Clearly. Otherwise, you might have posted better guards."

Nazarov's hand twitches towards his waistband, but Sergei stops him with a look. Smart man. For now.

"Let's cut the bullshit," I say, stalking closer. "You two thought you could team up against me? Take what's mine? I'm almost insulted by how stupid that plan is."

Sergei sighs, looking for all the world like a disappointed father. "It didn't have to come to this, Dante. If you'd just given up the girl-"

Red clouds my vision. In an instant, I've got my gun pressed to Sergei's forehead.

"Her name," I snarl, "is Natalie. And she is MINE."

Nazarov makes his move then, drawing his weapon. But I'm faster. I spin, using Sergei as a shield, and put a bullet between Nazarov's eyes.

He drops like a puppet with cut strings, a look of dumb surprise frozen on his face.

Sergei tenses in my grip, but doesn't struggle. Smart man.

"Now then," I say, pressing the still-hot barrel against his temple. "Let's talk about loyalty, old friend."

"Dante, please," Sergei starts, but I cut him off with a harsh laugh.

"Please? You dare ask me for mercy after what you've done? After you threatened everything I've built?"

I force him to his knees, towering over him. In this moment, I am vengeance incarnate. I am the monster they always feared I'd become.

"I trusted you," I hiss, finger tightening on the trigger. "I let you into my inner circle. And this is how you repay me?"

Sergei looks up at me, fear finally cracking his composure. "It was just business," he pleads. "Nothing personal. We can still work this out-"

The gunshot echoes through the warehouse. Sergei slumps forward, a neat hole in his forehead leaking crimson onto the dusty floor.

"It's always personal," I mutter, tucking my gun away.

I survey the scene, mind already racing with clean-up plans. Two bodies, two loose ends tied up neat and tidy. But it's not enough. It'll never be enough until I've crushed anyone who dares to challenge me.

As I head back to my car, I pull out my phone. A quick text to Enzo: It's done. Prepare for war.

His response is immediate: Understood. But boss... we've got a situation. The raven's not feeling well.

My brow furrows, a mix of concern and irritation flooding through me. Natalie. My Natalie, sick? It doesn't compute. She was fine when I left her, flushed and feisty from our encounter.

I peel out of the parking lot, tires squealing. My mind races with possibilities. Is it just a cold? Food poisoning? Or something more sinister? The thought of someone poisoning her, hurting what's mine, makes my blood boil.

The possessive worry that floods me is all-consuming. She is MINE. Mine to protect, mine to care for, mine to nurse back to health. No one else gets to see her vulnerable. No one else gets to touch her.

I push the car faster, the needle climbing past 100. If this is some ploy by my enemies, they'll pay. I'll raze this whole fucking city to the ground if anyone's harmed a hair on her head.

As I race back to the villa, my thoughts spiral. What if it's not just a sickness? What if... My hands tighten on the steering wheel as a new possibility emerges. Could she be pregnant? The thought sends a jolt of something primal through me – pride, possession, an overwhelming need to claim and protect.

A dark smile curves my lips as I imagine Natalie swollen with my child. Oh, my beautiful, stubborn raven. You might have just given me the ultimate gift without even realizing it.

I press down harder on the accelerator. Whatever's wrong with Natalie, I need to be there. Need to see her, touch her, make sure she's safe.

The hunt may be over for now, but a new challenge is just beginning. And I'll be damned if I let anything – sickness, enemies, or Natalie's own stubbornness – come between me and what's mine.

Enzo better have called a doctor. The best one money can buy. Because if anything happens to Natalie... well, there won't be a force on Earth that can stop the hell I'll unleash.

I'm coming, solnyshko. Hold on.

The tires screech as I pull into the villa's driveway. I'm out of the car before it fully stops, striding towards the entrance with purpose. Enzo meets me at the door, his usually calm demeanor tinged with worry.

"Boss," he starts, but I cut him off.

"Where is she?" I demand, already moving past him.

"Upstairs. The doctor's with her now."

I take the stairs two at a time, my heart pounding a violent rhythm against my ribs. When I reach our bedroom, I pause, hand on the doorknob. For the first time in years, I feel something dangerously close to fear.

I push it down, steeling myself before entering.

Natalie's lying on the bed, pale and small against the dark sheets. The doctor, a grave-faced man I vaguely recognize, looks up as I enter.

"Mr. Corleone," he says, his voice carefully neutral. "I was just finishing up."

I ignore him, moving straight to Natalie's side. Her eyes are closed, lashes dark against her too-pale cheeks. "Solnyshko," I murmur, taking her hand. It's cool to the touch, and I have to resist the urge to bring it to my lips.

Her eyes flutter open, focusing on me with effort. "Dante," she whispers, and the relief in her voice sends a jolt through me. "You're here."

"Of course I'm here," I growl, stroking her cheek. "Where else would I be when you need me?"

She manages a weak smile, and I feel something in my chest constrict. I turn to the doctor, my voice hard. "Well? What's wrong with her?"

The doctor clears his throat. "It appears to be a severe case of food poisoning, Mr. Corleone. Nothing life-threatening, but she'll need rest and fluids."

I nod, processing. Food poisoning. Not pregnancy, not an attack by my enemies. Just a mundane, ordinary illness. The relief is overwhelming, quickly followed by irritation. How dare her body betray her like this? Betray me?

"And you're sure it's not..." I trail off, my eyes flicking to Natalie's stomach.

The doctor follows my gaze, understanding dawning on his face. "Ah, no, sir. There's no indication of pregnancy at this time."

I feel Natalie tense beside me, her hand twitching in mine. I squeeze it gently, a reminder of my presence, my control.

"Thank you, doctor," I say, my tone making it clear he's dismissed. "I'll take it from here."

Once we're alone, I turn my full attention to Natalie. She looks fragile, vulnerable in a way that both infuriates and intoxicates me.

"You had me worried, solnyshko," I murmur, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "Don't ever do that again."

She attempts to roll her eyes, but the effect is ruined by her obvious exhaustion. "Yes, because I planned this," she mutters.

I chuckle, dark and low. "There's my feisty little raven. Already feeling better, I see."

Natalie shifts, wincing slightly. "Dante, I—"

"Shh," I soothe, pressing a finger to her lips. "Rest now. We'll talk when you're stronger."

She nods, her eyes already drifting closed. I watch her for a long moment, my mind racing. This illness is a setback, yes, but also an opportunity. A chance to show her my softer side, to bind her to me even more tightly.

As Natalie sleeps, I begin to plan. I'll nurse her back to health myself, tend to her every need. And when she's well again... well, we'll just have to redouble our efforts to create the heir I so desperately crave.

A dark smile curves my lips as I settle into the chair beside the bed. Rest well, my love. You'll need your strength for what's to come.