Mag-log inGianna's POVNiccolò stood in front of me, hands in his pockets, that confident smile playing at his lips.A group of guys stood behind him, clearly his friends, all watching me with varying degrees of interest."Gia, it's good to see you. Though, I didn't think I'd see you here." He stepped closer. "Does your husband know you're out?"I straightened. "I'm here with Mira. She needed a night out.""That doesn't answer my question." His smile widened. "I'm guessing he doesn't. I thought you'd be home playing the perfect mafia wife.""I don't have to explain myself to you.""Fair enough." He gestured to the seat beside me. "Can I sit?"I wanted to say no, walk away, find Mira, and leave right then. But refusing him would show fear, and I couldn't give him that."Do what you want."He settled in next to me, too close for comfort. One of his friends handed him a beer, and he took a long drink before turning back to me."Want one?""No."He shrugged and held it out anyway. "Come on. One bee
Gianna's POVI sat across from Mira, watching her stir her latte with unnecessary vigor, the spoon clinking against the cup in an anxious rhythm.Through the window, I could see Bruno leaning against the black SUV, his arms crossed, his eyes scanning the street with that perpetual vigilance that never seemed to switch off."I've been invited to this party." Mira still wouldn't meet my eyes. "But I'm not sure I should go."I set down my cup. "What kind of party?""Just... a college party. You know, the kind normal students go to." Her laugh came out nervous, brittle. "Music, dancing, probably terrible beer. Nothing fancy. But I don't know if I'll fit in, you know?""Mira." I reached across the table to hold her hand. "I think you should go."Her head snapped up, surprise written across her features."Yes, really. You should absolutely go. It would help you get your mind off everything that's been happening." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "Especially with you and Bruno."She fr
Dante's POVShe tried again, and this time, when I blocked, I pulled her forward, spinning her around and pinning her arms to her sides, her back against my chest. "See? Weak.""That's because you're cheating," she protested, but she was pressing back into me, her head tilting to give me access to her neck."This isn't cheating. This is showing you what a real attacker would do." I spoke directly into her ear, feeling her shiver. "You need to be prepared for anything.""Anything?" She turned her head slightly, her lips almost brushing my jaw.I released her abruptly, putting distance between us again. "Yes. Anything. Now, let's work on blocks."We continued, but the lesson quickly devolved into something else entirely. Every time I demonstrated a move, she found a way to turn it into an opportunity to press against me, to run her hands along my arms, my chest, my shoulders under the guise of "learning the motion.""You need to keep your core tight," I instructed, placing my hand on he
Dante's POVThe suggestion hit me like a cold splash of water. The thought of her working somewhere else, under someone else's authority, surrounded by men I didn't know, didn't trust..."No." The word came out meaner than I intended. "Absolutely not.""So which is it?" She challenged, tilting her head. "You don't want me working for you, but you don't want me working anywhere else either?""That's not what I said." I pulled her closer, my hands tightening on her waist. "I would more than love having you work with me. The thought of you being involved in that part of my life, of sharing that space with you." I paused, trying to find the right words. "It appeals to me more than you know.""Then why the hesitation?""Because I want you safe. And my world isn't always safe.""Your world is my world now," she used my words against me. "I could take a look at some of the files, familiarize myself with the operations. Start small, see how it goes."I studied her face, seeing the determinat
Dante's POV"The campus is secure," Bruno stood at ease in front of my desk. "I've mapped out the environment... entrances, exits, blind spots. The security detail has clear sightlines at all times. Everything feels safe."I nodded slowly, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. "That's good, for now.""However..." Bruno hesitated, and that single word made every muscle in my body tense again. "There is one complication.""What complication?""Augusto's son, Niccolò, is enrolled at the college."I sat up straighter, my hands flattening against the desk. "Since when?""He transferred this semester. Same program as Gianna. Same classes.""That can't be good." I pushed back from my desk, rising to my feet. "He wants to get close to Gianna.""I figured the same," Bruno confirmed.My jaw clenched. "Lorenzo must have reached out to Augusto by now. They must be working together. And Niccolò..." I began pacing, the anxiety coursing through my veins like fire. "Is the way to get to Giann
Dante's POV"Gianna?" He smiled, that same charming smile I remembered, as he handed me one of my books. "What a coincidence."I stood slowly, clutching my bag. "Niccolò. What are you doing here? When did you transfer?""Just this semester." He straightened, looking completely at ease. "I needed a change of scenery."I didn't believe him for a second."You look well," he continued. "How have you been?""Great, actually." I forced a smile."I'm glad to hear it." His eyes were friendly, but something about his presence set me on edge. "It's so good to see you. I had no idea we'd be attending the same school. This is going to be fun.""Yeah. Fun." I glanced toward the rows of seats. "I should... I'm late for class.""Of course."I moved past him, choosing a seat near the middle of the room. To my dismay, Niccolò followed and slid into the seat right next to mine."Looks like we're in the same class," he gestured around pleasantly.My eyes widened in shock. "Wait... are you majoring in Bu
Dante’s POVMy gaze locked greedily on the sleek folds between her legs, that sweet little hole sitting there so inviting, practically begging me to stroke it, stretch it, work it until she was panting my name so loud it echoed through the hallway.My hand twitched with the urge, but I held back. T
Dante's POV Then it happened, Gia's terrified eyes locked on mine. And for a moment, she disappeared. Replaced by the broken, beautiful face I couldn’t save. The only voice that calmed me down when I was about to crash out. And now, as I hovered over Gia with violence pumping through my limbs,
Gia’s POVWhen I woke early this morning, I was stunned to find Dante lying beside me on the bed, sound asleep.For a moment, I just stared at him, stunned that the devil himself could look so peaceful in sleep.Then came the rush of panic at my hellish reality, and an idea struck in my head. There
Gia’s POVThe doors swung open and we stepped into a massive room that looked like it belonged in some underground mercenary headquarters. The walls were dark, filled with weapons lined up like trophies, knives, things I didn’t even have names for. It was all one big dangerous world that sent chill







