Chapter 6
The first time I saw Dante Romano was five years ago, at a lavish party that screamed wealth and power. He sat in the most exclusive corner, a section cordoned off for VVIPs. Even in a sea of elites, he stood out. His presence was magnetic, comanding attention without saying a word.
He held a crystal clear glass of dark red wine, the liquid gleaming darkly under the soft chandelier light. He leaned on the leather sofa, his muscular thighs spread in a way that oozed quiet dominance.
He was magnetic,a blend of danger and charm that drew me in. His sharp features and intense aura made it hard to look away. My gaze drifted to his other hand, raised near his face.Tattoos wrapped around his knuckles and like snake. I couldn’t help but imagine the feeling of that hand on my
skin that time.
And Then, as if sensing my graze, he looked up.
“Look away, Elara.”
Something in my mind warn me.
“Look. Away!”
I tried. I truly did. But before I could, his eyes found mine.
His stare was so intense. I felt shiver down my spine. My breath caught, and when he raised an eyebrow, a chill ran down my spine. I immediately looked away.
Back then, I didn’t know who he was just a man whose presence pulled me in like a moth to a flame.
Five years ago, his gaze had left me breathless. Feeling something I couldn’t explain.
And now, here I was, five years later, caged in his arms. His lips claimed mine in a way that was both punishment and possession, leaving no room for protest. I could feel the sting of his grip on my hair, his nails biting into my scalp as if he wanted to strip away every ounce of control I had left.
I wanted to fight, to scream, to remind him I wasn’t his to control. But my body betrayed me, frozen in his lap, paralyzed by the intensity of the kiss.
Dante Romano, the heir to the Roman family, the most powerful man in Italy, was a man I should have stayed far away from. Every fiber of my being had screamed to avoid him, yet here I was, trap in his web.
He bit my lips drawing blood. The metallic taste pulled me back to reality with a jolt.
I hissed in pain, anger flaring inside me. With all the strength I could muster, I shoved him away. My palms slammed against his chest, but it felt like hitting a stone wall.
I knew I shouldn’t have done it. Spitting food on him was wrong, but I was beyond angry. All I wanted was peace, a chance to live my life without all this chaos. But trouble never seemed to leave me.
I was furious, how could he kidnap me, lock me in his lair like some animal, and then hand me over to my father like I was nothing? He deserved it, didn’t he?
I braced myself for the worst. I thought he would pull out a gun and end it all in an instant, or do something worse. I was sure the next moment would be my last.
But then, he kissed me.
“How could you!” I spat, my voice trembling with fury. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
His head snapped toward me, and for a moment. His dark eyes burn with fury. I froze as his hand shot out, grabbing my chin in an iron grip. He forced me to meet his gaze, and I could see it, that rage, as if he wanted to destroy me.
“Do that again,” he growled, “and we won’t stop at just a kiss.” His lips were so close to mine that I could feel the heat of his breath, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. His eyes, blood red with fury, pierced straight into my soul, making me feel as though I was standing on the edge of a dangerously pointed knife.
He was too close, too overwhelming. My breath hitched as his grip tightened slightly, the threat in his words hanging heavy between us.
“Finish your meal,” he commanded, his tone chillingly calm now, though his eyes still burned. “Or I’ll force every bite down your throat with my tongue.” The threat sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn’t suppress the fear that flickered across my face.
With shaky hands, I picked up the spoon, my fingers trembling and suddenly I felt as if the silverware was too heavy in my hand. Just as it was about to slip from my grasp, he reached out, grabbing it before bringing the spoon to my lips.
“Open up, woman, he commanded, and I obeyed.
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Chapter 6
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I stared at him as he fed me, trying to read what hidden behind this stone faced man before me. One moment, he was cold and ruthless, a man who seemed to care for nothing but power and money. The next, he was almost gentle, as if he was trying to be kind.
Should I take a chance and ask for his help? Part of me wanted to, but fear held me back. Once I left this place with my father, I knew it would never end. The torment I went through would never stop. It was the same torture my mother had endured, until he broke and killed her.
I couldn’t go back to him, I couldn’t go back to that life. Not after everything.
“I don’t want to go back to Russia,” I muttered, glaring at him.
He ignored my protests, scooping up another spoonful of food and practically shoving it into my mouth. His jaw tightened, and he poked the inside of his cheek, clearly annoyed.
“Who do you think I am? Do you dare think I’ll bend to your every whim?” His tone held warning.
“If I weren’t showing you mercy, you’d already be six feet under and your father would be burying what’s left of you by now.”
He stood up after making sure I cleaned the food. When he turned to leave, I reached out, grabbing his hand.
I stare in his eyes before saying those words I know I will regret later. ” If you help me get away from my father… I’ll do anything.”
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