Page 60 of Beautiful Enemy

“Your sister is brave. But that tells us one thing: Dante for a fact doesn’t want us dead. He wants us to hurt. But I say we stop waiting around for him to do that. We draw him out. Make him come to us and I will kill him.”

“How are you going to do that?”

“I have the upcoming party for my charity event. A masquerade ball. He infiltrated it four years ago.”

“I remember.”

“Who’s to say he won’t do it again? He’ll want to taunt me about taking Nadia back. He’ll show. I know it. And when he does, I’ll be ready to kill him.”

I can see the seriousness in my husband’s eyes. He means what he says.

And I know Erik has the power to take Dante’s life and save Nadia for good.

Chapter Eleven

Nadia

Along red elegant gown is in my room when I wake up.

The sight of it confuses me. Everything Dantedoesconfuses me. His words, his actions, his touch. How I yearn for him while I’m also repulsed by him. I’m repulsed because I shouldn’t want his touch. I shouldn’t want Dante at all and yet…

A part of me wants him.

All my life I grew up sheltered, living in fear of my father. I never got to experience love and lust and freedom.

I assumed I could find those things with Viktor, given time, but it’s been Dante who has awoken those things within me. It could just be a weird form of Stockholm Syndrome. I could be desperate for Dante just because I don’t want him to hurt me.

But somehow, I think it’s more than that andthatis what terrifies me.

Dante waltzes into the room. “Good morning.” He looks handsome in his white t-shirt and jeans. It’s startling how casual it is. Almost like we’re a normal couple.

I pull the blankets higher around me. I’m no longer naked but that doesn’t mean I want Dante looking at my body. It could lead to something bad. It already has.

“Notice the dress?” He nods at it. “I thought you’d look beautiful in it.”

“What’s the dress for?”

“Erik is hosting his annual charity event and I thought we could go.”

Surely, I must have misheard him. “I don’t understand. Why would you go to Erik’s charity event? He wants you dead.”

There’s a glint in his eyes. “That’s what makes it fun. I want to go and show you off. Erik won’t be able to kill me in front of a room full of people. It will upset him more knowing there’s nothing he can do. You’ll be so close and yet so far away at the same time.”

“So, just more torture.” My voice sounds a lot sadder than I intend for it to. I just thought for a moment that maybe Dante would put aside his hate after we kissed on this bed but Dante will never let go of it and I have to remember that. He will never be happy until he’s tortured Erik and Anya for the rest of their lives.

When Dante falls silent, I glance over at him. A confused frown is on his face. “Why wouldn’t it be more torture? That’s what I’m here for.”

“I don’t want to play a part in your games any longer. It’s not fun. You’re using me to hurt my sister.”

“You don’t really get a say in this, Nadia.” He walks over to me until he’s so close, I have to lean my head back to look up at him. “What’s on your mind?” His fingers skim down my cheek and a flare of desire hits me.

I jerk away. No. I can’t feel anything for Dante. I can’t. “I just don’t want you to parade me around like you own me. I don’t want Anya to see. I don’t want her to be more upset.”

“Don’t you see, Nadia? I do own you. Now put on the dress.” There’s a hardness to his eyes I don’t like, almost as if he’s steeling himself against me. But why would he have to do that? I don’t mean anything to him.

Dante grabs the dress off the hanger and presents it to me. “I’ll help you put it on.”

My eyes flick to the door.

---