Page 34 of Ruthless Desire

Natalie eyes the bag warily. "Out where?"

I smile, slow and predatory. "You'll see. Now be a good girl and put on the dress, or I'll do it for you."

For a moment, I think she might refuse. But then she snatches up the bag and disappears into the bathroom. When she emerges, my breath catches in my throat.

The dress is a work of art – blood red silk that clings to every curve, the neckline plunging dangerously low. She looks like sin incarnate, a dark goddess born from the depths of my twisted fantasies.

"Beautiful," I murmur, drinking in the sight of her. "Now, let's go. We have a party to attend."

Natalie's eyes widen. "A party? You can't be serious."

I grab her arm, pulling her close. "Oh, I'm very serious, moy voron. It's time to show the world who you belong to."

The party is in full swing by the time we arrive. The cream of New York's criminal underworld mills about, sipping champagne and trading veiled threats disguised as pleasantries.

All eyes turn to us as we enter. I can feel the weight of their stares – the men's lust, the women's envy. Natalie shrinks closer to me, clearly uncomfortable with the attention.

I lean down, my lips brushing her ear. "Smile, darling. You're the star of the show tonight."

I lead Natalie through the crowd, reveling in the jealous glances and hushed whispers that follow in our wake. She's a vision in that red dress, a ruby among coal. My prize, my possession, on display for all to see.

"Dante, my boy!" a booming voice calls out. I turn to see Don Vittorio approaching, his eyes gleaming with avarice as they rove over Natalie. "Who's this exquisite creature?"

I feel Natalie tense beside me, her grip on my arm tightening. I pull her closer, a clear message to the old lecher. "This is Natalie," I say smoothly. "My fiancée."

The lie rolls off my tongue easily, and I feel a dark satisfaction at Natalie's sharp intake of breath. She opens her mouth, no doubt to protest, but I silence her with a squeeze to her waist. A warning.

"Fiancée?" Vittorio raises an eyebrow. "I hadn't heard you were betrothed. Congratulations are in order, then!"

He reaches for Natalie's hand, clearly intending to kiss it. But I intercept, shaking his hand firmly instead. "Thank you," I say, my tone leaving no room for argument. "We're keeping things quiet for now. I'm sure you understand."

Vittorio's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Of course, of course. Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds to it. Enjoy the party."

As soon as he's out of earshot, Natalie rounds on me. "Fiancée?" she hisses. "What the fuck, Dante?"

I grab her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. "Play along," I growl. "Unless you'd prefer I tell them the truth – that you're my captive, my plaything to do with as I please?"

She pales, swallowing hard. "You wouldn't."

"Try me," I challenge, my grip tightening. "Now smile, darling. We have appearances to keep up."

For the next hour, we make the rounds. I introduce Natalie as my fiancée to anyone who matters, watching with dark amusement as she struggles to maintain the charade. She's good – I'll give her that. To the casual observer, we must look like any other couple in love.

But I can feel the tension thrumming through her body, see the panic lurking behind her eyes. It's intoxicating.

As the night wears on, I grow bolder. My hands wander, stroking her sides, cupping her ass. She tries to pull away, but I hold her fast.

"Dance with me," I murmur, leading her to the dance floor before she can protest.

I pull her flush against me as a slow song starts up. One hand splays across her lower back, the other tangling in her hair. Natalie's hands rest on my chest, not quite embracing me, but not pushing me away either.

"You're doing so well," I praise, my lips brushing her ear. "Such a good little actress."

She shivers, whether from revulsion or desire, I can't tell. "I hate you," she whispers, but there's no real venom in it.

I chuckle, spinning her out and then pulling her back in sharply. "No, you don't," I counter. "You know you want me. Crave my cock."

"You're delusional," she snaps, but I can feel the way her body responds to mine, the way she melts into my touch despite herself.

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