Page 22 of Beautiful Beast

“You said you didn’t want a war. I haven’t gone after you, so, why are you here?”

Dante shrugs and makes a big show of looking around the room. “Because I heard about your wedding, and I wanted to see it for myself. This isn’t me starting a war. This is just me wishing you good luck in your marriage.”

“No. This is you trying to intimidate me. This is a warning. By coming here, Dante, you’re trying to start a war.”

“Am I? Maybe I am. Maybe I’m itching to fight with you.”

“And I’ll gladly give it.” Erik’s smile is savage. “I’ll happily cut you from cock to mouth and watch you bleed out before me. I might even feed you your cock for good measure.”

This is Erik at his scariest. His true, Bratva self.

The beast within him that craves bloodshed.

For a moment, I let myself not fear him as we danced, but that was foolish of me. Erik is a monster, and I can’t forget that.

Dante’s smile is equally as savage. “I’d love to see you try.”

“We can go right now if you want. It would be a shame to get my wife’s wedding dress bloody, though.”

“It would be.”

The two men stare each other down for a long, tense moment. No one else in the room even breathes. The musicians have stopped playing. There is nothing but these two men, glaring at each other until one finally moves.

It’s Dante who moves first. “Like I said, Erik, I just wanted to wish you a happy marriage. Have a fun time with your wife.” His eyes flick to me, and his grin deepens. “Russian whore.”

Erik’s face twists into something animalist right before he swings his fist at Dante, who manages to dodge out of the way with a laugh.

“Get the fuck out of here,” Erik says. “Before I shoot you.”

Dante holds up his hands and backs away. “Congratulations.” He looks over at my father. “And this is the father of the bride, yes? You have a beautiful daughter.”

My father’s frown deepens, making his wrinkles more pronounced. I didn’t even think that was possible. He nudges Nadia behind him.

Dante notices the motion. “And is that your other daughter?” He makes a big show of looking between Nadia and me. “I see the good looks run in the family.”

“Just go,” Erik says.

Dante nods once before turning on his heel, whistling as he leaves. The second he’s gone, the entire room breaks out into chatter.

Erik turns to me and shakes his head. “Fucking Dante.”

“Who was that?”

“Dante Moretti. Mafia boss. And a real fucking pain in my ass.”

“Why didn’t you attack him?”

His eyebrows raise up. “I didn’t think you’d want a fight happening on your wedding day.”

“But you didn’t marry me because you care about what I want or don’t want. You married me for your own selfish reasons. And I know your reputation. Why didn’t you try to kill him if you hate him so much?”

“Because, despite my reputation, not everything needs to end in bloodshed.” He settles both of his hands on my waist. “And besides, I couldn’t risk him hurting you.”

“Why? You don’t care about me.”

“It’s not about care, Anya. It’s about possession. You’re mine now. I just got you. I’m not ready to lose you yet.”

I settle my hands over his to push them away, then I stop and look at him more closely. “How can you want me yet not care about me?”

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