Page 48 of Ruthless Desire

"Please," I whisper, hating the needy edge in my voice.

Dante chuckles darkly. "Please what, solnyshko? Use your words. Tell me what you want."

"Touch me," I gasp as his thumb circles my clit with agonizing slowness. "Please, Dante, I need-"

My plea cuts off in a choked moan as he slides two fingers inside me. The stretch burns deliciously, and I clench around him, greedy for more.

"That's it," he growls, setting a ruthless pace. "Take what I give you. Show me how much you need this, need me."

I'm lost in sensation, the world narrowing to Dante's fingers pumping in and out of me, his thumb working my clit in tight circles. My climax builds with embarrassing speed, and I'm teetering on the edge when-

A deafening crack splits the air. Gunshots.

Dante reacts instantly, shoving me behind him as chaos erupts around us. Bodies surge toward the exits, screams and shattering glass creating a hellish cacophony.

Through the pandemonium, I catch sight of Luca Corsini. He stands unnaturally still amidst the mayhem, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips as he meets my gaze. A chill runs down my spine as understanding dawns - this is the Corsinis making their move.

"Stay close," Dante snarls, his body coiled with lethal tension. He pulls me from the booth, one arm wrapped protectively around my waist as he guides us through the panicked crowd.

A flash of movement catches my eye, and my heart leaps into my throat. For a split second, I swear I see a familiar face - Daddy? But that's impossible. He can't be here, can't have found me.

The image of my father, weathered and worried, burns itself into my mind. A thousand questions race through my head. How did he find me? Does he know what I've become? The shame and longing that well up inside me are almost overwhelming.

Before I can process the impossibility, Dante's pulling me down a hidden corridor. The sounds of violence fade, replaced by the staccato click of my heels against marble.

We emerge into a private garage, and Dante wastes no time shoving me into a sleek black car. The engine roars to life as he peels out, tires squealing in protest.

"What the hell was that?" I demand, fear and adrenaline making my voice sharp.

Dante's knuckles are white on the steering wheel, his jaw clenched tight. "The fucking Corsinis," he spits. "They've been circling like vultures for months. Seems they finally got bold enough to make a move."

My mind reels, trying to process everything. "But why now? Why-"

I cut myself off as a horrifying thought strikes me. "Oh god. It's because of me, isn't it? Because you brought me there tonight?"

Dante's silence is all the confirmation I need. Guilt and self-loathing wash over me in nauseating waves. How many people died tonight because of me? How much blood is on my hands?

"Don't," Dante says sharply, as if reading my thoughts. "This isn't your fault, Natalie. The Corsinis have always been ruthless opportunists. They would have made their move eventually."

I shake my head, unable to accept his words. "But I'm the one who gave them the opening. If I hadn't tried to use Luca as a shield against you-"

"You did what?" Dante's voice is dangerously soft, a stark contrast to the white-knuckled grip he maintains on the wheel.

Ice floods my veins as I realize my mistake. "I- It was before. When you first...visited me. I thought maybe if I had powerful connections, you'd..." I trail off, unable to finish the thought.

The car screeches to a halt, and before I can blink, Dante has me pinned against the door. His eyes blaze with fury and something darker, more primal.

"You're mine," he snarls, one hand wrapping around my throat. "No one else gets to touch you, to protect you. Do you understand me?"

I should be terrified. I should be fighting, screaming, doing anything to get away from this possessive madman. Instead, I feel a sick thrill of arousal coiling in my gut.

"Yes," I whisper, my pulse racing beneath his palm.

"Say it," he demands, squeezing just hard enough to make my vision swim. "Tell me who you belong to."

"Don Corleone," I gasp, heat flooding my cheeks. "I'm yours, Dante. Only yours."

His mouth crashes into mine, the kiss brutal and claiming. I moan into it, my body betraying me once again as I arch against him.

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