CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ADELINA

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Walking into The Syndicate Masquerade Ball was going to be difficult enough, but now I can barely stand.

My legs are wobbly from having such a mind-blowing orgasm. I can’t stop thinking about what happened. I’ve never wanted a man to fuck me so much...and not let me.

I felt, and still do, feel like a slut.

And...I’m not sorry.

My pussy is throbbing, still seeing his cock in my mind. Thick, long, with a purple head and veins pulsing along it.

It’s all I can think of.

Dante’s hand on the small of my back guides me up the steps.

“Need me to carry you?” I hear the smile in his voice.

“Need me to slap you?” I sneer but smile so anyone looking will never know we’re anything but a happy couple.

“Oh, you mean like I just did your pussy?”

Fuck.

I turn and his hand stills me, our gazes locking.

“Do not make a scene.” He growls and for some reason I stay silent. “I will fuck you, Addy. When you truly want it.”

I do truly want it.

“That will be never.” I snarl.

He brushes a finger over my forehead. “You look fucking beautiful tonight. With your orgasm glowing on your cheeks, no man will come near you.”

Good.

I don’t want any of them to.

I want to blend into the background, stay quiet, and then find an escape.

My eyes flicker around us at the no-less-than ten mobsters guarding us. Guarding me. Protecting Dante.

Nick watches me with no expression. Jono, who I’ve never particularly liked, has a slight smile on his lips.

He wasn’t in the vehicle, but it’s like he thinks he knows something. Jono might be one of Dante's friends, but he would shoot Jono on the spot if he said anything.

On that, I have more power over them.

And because I’m in the mood, I decide to remind them just who I am.

A mafia princess.

Adelina fucking Baldoni.

The woman Dante, your boss, is obsessed with.

“Got something to say, Jono?” I ask, shooting him a glare and lifting my brow.

“No, ma’am,” he replies, shooting Dante a wary look, but then returning a dark look my way.

Whatever.

Piece of shit.

I look back at Dante, who is watching both of us carefully, but his expression is unreadable.

“Fine. I will be a good girl.” I give him a fake smile.

Then I notice something I just missed within his eyes. Desire and control, yes. But also...pride. He liked my show of dominance just then with Jono.

Interesting.

Tick, tick, tick.

Dante runs a finger down my arm, making me shiver, and my need rises again like a damn phoenix.

Regret that I will never have sex with this man rushes through me. The opportunity has now passed.

Tonight I will escape.

He drags his eyes from me, nods at his soldiers, and they move into action, guiding us up the steps and into the ball. I suspect he wanted us to be late, to make a statement once we appear.

And that’s exactly what happens.

The music doesn’t stop, but as we appear at the top of the stairs looking down into the room filled with America's wealthiest, almost everyone turns to stare.

Jesus.

My eyes drift across the sea of faces. I know many of them. This is not my first Syndicate Ball.

Dante’s fingers slide up and down my bare spine, and I shiver. When I turn to him, my face slightly tilted, he crushes his mouth to mine.

Claiming me.

In front of everyone.

That’s when I hear my father’s roar.