Chapter 99: My Pretty Doll Had Claws and a Heart
Dante’s POV
“Everything’s about possession with you.” Gianna tried to shake her head, but my grip held firm.
“Always, amore mio. Always.”
Her glare didn’t hide it, the faint glint of want flashing in her eyes.
I released her chin and reached for a plate, beginning to fill it. “What would you like?” I asked.
“I can serve myself.”
“Humor me.” My tone left no room for argument.
She sighed, surrendering. “Fine. Eggs. Fruit. Toast.”
I filled her plate generously, scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh berries, far more than she’d asked for. I set it in front of her, then added a cup of juice.
“That’s too much,” she protested.
“You’ll eat what I give you.” I served myself a modest portion, but my attention remained entirely on her.
She picked up her fork, then took a small bite. Then another. Within moments, she was eating with genuine hunger, the delicate bites turning more enthusiastic.
I found myself smiling, watching her devour the meal. There was something primal and satisfying about seeing her eat, about knowing I was providing for her, even in this small way.
“What?” she asked, catching me staring.
“Nothing. Just… you were hungry.”
“Obviously. You kept me quite busy earlier.” The sarcasm dripped from her words, but there was less venom than before. Almost playful.
She reached for her glass, took a sip, then set the cup down.
“If this is going to work…” she began, her voice uncertain.
I paused, my fork halfway to my mouth. She had my full attention now. “If what is going to work?”
She struggled with the words, her cheeks flushing. “Our… situationship. Whatever this is.”
“Union,” I corrected firmly, setting down my fork. “Our union. Say it.”
“Our union,” she murmured, but I saw her swallow hard. “I have a favor to ask.”
Her eyes flashed. “I would have thought last night was punishment enough.”
A dark need surged through me. I moved fast, threading my hand into her hair and pulling her face close to mine, so close our lips almost touched.
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Chapter 99: My Pretty Doll Had Claws and a Heart
+25 Bonus
“Not nearly enough,” I growled against her mouth. “You’re going to spend every day making it up to me. Every. Single. Day.”
Heat sparked between us, and I was tempted to close that final inch and kiss her breathless.
But I didn’t.
I released her, watching her struggle to catch her breath.
“Now,” I said coolly, “what’s this favor?”
Her demeanor shifted completely. The fire was replaced by a vulnerable expression. “Don’t be mad at Mira or Bruno.”
I stilled. My expression hardened. “So that’s what this is about.”
“Dante, please…” She reached for my hand, and the touch surprised me, soft, trembling, yet it sent fire through my veins.
“All of this is my fault,” she said earnestly. “I manipulated them, made them trust me. Mira didn’t volunteer anything, I had to push and push. Please don’t punish her.” Her voice grew desperate. “And Bruno… he had nothing to do with this.”
She looked genuinely sorry. Those expressive eyes were swimming with unshed tears, and it melted something in my chest.
Part of me wanted to give her anything she asked for when she looked at me like that.
But I couldn’t.
“There have to be consequences,” I said finally, my voice firm but not cruel. “Bruno and Mira broke all the rules. Bruno especially, I expected better from him. He’s worked with me for so long, been trusted with so much.” My jaw clenched. “To expose the secret passage… a secret that could end us all if the wrong people find out. We could be ambushed, wiped out. And he told his girlfriend.”
“You know they’re dating?” Gianna asked, shocked.
I let out a dry laugh. “Of course I know. They thought they were fooling me, but I gave them their privacy. I thought Bruno would tell me when he was ready. He’s been with me for years. I trusted him.”
My voice rose. “And he broke that trust. He had no right to share such an important secret with anyone, least of all Mira. That’s why it was so easy for you to get it out of her.”
“It wasn’t easy,” Gianna defended quickly. “I had to do a lot of convincing. And you know I’m good at that…” She smiled then, doing something with her eyes, batting her lashes in an exaggerated way that was both ridiculous and charming.
“I’ve had no doubts about that,” I muttered, fighting a smile.
She doubled down, leaning closer. “I promise that if you let this go, then I’ll try my best to make it to the altar without kicking and screaming.”
11
I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’d still find a way to make it difficult.” My tone turned softer, possessive.”
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Chapter 99: My Pretty Doll Had Claws and a Heart
+25 Bonus
But I like difficult you.”
She smirked. “If I’m going to be your wife, and by extension, Lady of the house, I can’t have the staff hating me. I hurt them, and I want to make it right. They seem like good people, Dante. I want their trust. Their loyalty. But I want to earn it, not demand it.”
“They don’t have to like you,” I countered bluntly. “They don’t have a choice in the matter. They’ll obey and. submit to you as my wife, regardless of their personal feelings.”
“Well, that’s not who I am,” she shot back, that fire returning to her eyes. “I want to earn my way into their hearts. That way I get their trust, love, and loyalty, not just their obedience.”
I stared at her, genuinely impressed. She really had bonded with them. And more than that, she wanted to lead. She understood that fear and force only went so far, that loyalty freely given was worth more than compliance forced.
She was different. Special.
My pretty doll had claws and a heart.
“I’ll think about it,” I murmured finally.
Her face lit up with a cheerful smile that took my breath away. “Thank you!”
I cleared my throat, shifting the conversation. “Now that we’re on the subject of you becoming my wife… you’ll be meeting my family later today.”
Her fork clattered against her plate. “Family?” She looked at me like I’d sprouted a second head. “You have a family?”
“Yes, Gianna. I have a family.”
“I never thought a man like you would have a family,” she said, genuine surprise coloring her tone. “I mean, don’t people like you just… spawn fully formed from the darkness or something?”
Despite myself, I laughed, a real laugh. “That’s quite the imagination you have, pretty doll.”
She shrugged, taking another bite. “Can you blame me? You’re not exactly the family–dinner type.
I leaned forward, reaching across to wipe a small smudge of jam from the corner of her lips with my thumb. The gesture was intimate, possessive. I let my thumb linger, pressing gently against her bottom lip.
“I told you already,” I murmured. “There’s so much you don’t know about me.”
She swallowed hard, and I watched the pulse fluttering wildly at her throat.
I pulled back reluctantly, wiping my hand on a napkin before standing. I moved around to where she sat and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead.
“I have important business to attend to,” I breathed against her skin. “So I have to leave now.”
I felt her tense beneath my lips, sensed the shift in her breathing. When I pulled back, I caught the hint of disappointment in her eyes.
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Chapter 99: My Pretty Do!! Had Claws and a Heart
+25 Bonus
Her voice stopped me. I turned back, hand on the doorframe.
She looked small sitting there on that sofa, surrounded by all that food. Vulnerable in a way she’d never let herself be when standing.
“Your family,” she said, her voice uncertain. “When are they arriving? What are we talking about here? Like… parents? Siblings? How many people?”
I smiled slightly, appreciating her attempt at gathering intelligence even now. Always thinking. Always planning.
“I’ll send for you when it’s time,” I said simply. “Be ready.”
And with that, I left her sitting there, confused, curious, and undoubtedly already plotting her next move.
While I was going straight to deal with Bruno.
P
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