gathering. Dante stood at the center, a towering figure surrounded by an array of mafia elites, all of them hanging on h

osed. But inside, everything felt foreign and terrifying. This was Dante's world, a world I could barel

something new. Every interaction, every touch, every word from Dante

e else. The guests parted for us, and whispers followed our every step. Their gazes lingered on me, some curious, othe

of hushed conversa

he's the one he'

ow what she's got

t a slave, yet Dante trea

But I kept my head down, focusing on the floor, on the fabric of my dres

controlled every inch of the mafia empire, men whose faces I'd learned to recognize in passing, but whose n

ly," he said, his words strong and commanding. "My woman. My ob

es flicking quickly away from him. I didn't know whether to be r

Dante. "Are you sure this is wise?" he asked, his voice low.

shrank closer to Dante. But instead of responding immediately, Dan

acing. "You'll see. She's not a liability. She's

d what he meant by

gesture, the only sign of affection I had received from him in a while. His touch made my

ly," he said softly, his voice just for me.

e could Dante possibly want me to meet? The tho

-

o various figures. His eyes never strayed far from me, and I couldn't help but feel as though I were a prized possession on display. Every time so

able I became. But I didn't dare look away from Dante, didn't dare make a move without

e, his expression neutral but sharp. Dante's eyes narrowed w

an air of finality. "He's one of the most trusted

e for a moment longer than was comfortable. "She's

a faint smile, but there was something in

et his gaze. His eyes held a warning-sharp and dangerou

it. His expression flickered with something-perhaps

thed a sigh of relief, but th

low as he leaned closer to me. "You'r

f me wanted to rebel, to push him away and scream that I didn't be

stop at nothing to keep me in his grip. And I was slowly realizing t

-

sing in around me. But Dante didn't leave my side, and I didn't da

He led me back to the car, his hand possessively on my back. I follow

private sitting room. The house felt quieter now, the grandeur

only the beginning, Nelly," he said softly, his voice like a low