Page 56 of Impure Vows

My breath catches in my throat. They’re so confident, so sure of their plan. I strain to hear more, but my heart's pounding drowns out the rest of their conversation. I've heard enough.

I’m about to slip away when the door swings open. I freeze, my breath catching in my throat. Carlo Vitale himself stands before me; his green eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” he drawls, his gaze raking over me like I’m a prize on display. “A little bird eavesdropping?”

I swallow hard, my eyes wide, and my heart pounding in my ears.

28

DANTE

Iturn my head from the conversation, scanning the party for Aliyah. She's standing with some asshole, his hand lingering too close to her waist. My jaw tightens, but before I can intervene, she brushes him off, moving towards a group of women. They're all catty gossipers, but better that than some idiot thinking he can touch what's mine. I smirk, satisfaction settling in.

Marco's voice pulls me back. "The shipment is arriving tomorrow, Dante. We need to ensure everything goes smoothly."

I nod, barely hearing Marco's words. My mind wanders back to the memory of Aliyah bent over that desk, her gasps echoing in the room. The way she submitted to me was both thrilling and infuriating. It’s a dance of power and defiance, and she’s beginning to understand her place, yet there's still that fire in her eyes. I can’t help but admire it. I like that. It makes the chase all the more exhilarating.

"Boss?" Marco's tone has a hint of impatience.

"Yeah, I heard you," I snap, refocusing. "Make sure the warehouse is secure. I don't want any surprises."

Marco nods, but his eyes flicker with something close to amusement. He knows where my mind wandered. Bastard.

The conversation shifts, the men discussing routes and bribes, but my gaze keeps drifting back to Aliyah. She's surrounded by those women, their laughter grating. But she looks more relaxed now, her shoulders less tense. I feel a strange mix of pride and possessiveness.

Luca leans in, voice low. "You thinkin' about taking out Vitale? He’s been pushin’ our buttons lately."

"Not yet," I reply, my voice cold. "But I’ve got my eye on him. He steps out of line, he's done."

I glance back at Aliyah, remembering how she looked when I marked her as mine earlier. Even now, I can almost feel the heat of her skin against my fingertips. I fight the urge to drag her over here with me and keep her glued to my side. She’s in my sight, but a heavy sort of feeling settles on me. I shake my head, forcing myself to focus and chalking the feeling up to paranoia. She’s mine and the fear that someone will touch her, is always at the forefront of my mind.

There’s business to handle, and I can’t afford distractions. Not with Vitale breathing down our necks and every move being scrutinized. I take a deep breath, reminding myself that Aliyah will be waiting for me, whether she likes it or not. For now, I need to stay sharp.

The conversation continues, the men strategizing, but I’m still only half-engaged. My thoughts keep effortlessly returning to Aliyah, to the way she’s starting to fit into my world, whether she likes it or not. She’s a challenge, and I relish every moment of it.

"Let's wrap this up," I say, cutting through the chatter. "I’ve got other matters to attend to."

Marco gives me a knowing look but says nothing, his silence speaking volumes. I can see the understanding in his eyes,the unspoken acknowledgment of the weight on my shoulders. He knows better than to question me, and I appreciate his discretion. It’s moments like these that remind me why Marco is indispensable.

The conversation wraps up, and I turn back to where Aliyah was standing. She's not there. Fuck. I mutter under my breath, feeling the heat rise to my face. The thought of something happening to her while she's out of my sight makes my blood boil.

I force myself to chill the fuck out, taking a deep breath. Losing my cool won't help. I start pushing through people, my eyes scanning the room.

"Have you seen Aliyah?" I ask one of my men, grabbing his arm.

He shakes his head. "No, boss. Last I saw, she was talking to the ladies."

"Keep looking," I order, moving on.

I shove past a group of men, ignoring their startled looks. The party is still in full swing, laughter and chatter filling the air, but all I hear is the pounding in my ears. I need to find her. Now.

"Where the hell is she?" I mutter, pushing through another cluster of guests. My patience is wearing thin, and I can feel the rage bubbling up.

Marco appears at my side, his expression calm. "Dante, what's wrong?"

"Aliyah's missing," I snap, my eyes darting around the room. "Find her."

Marco nods, his face hardening. "On it."

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