Anna As I gazed at the phone that lay in my hands, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Dante had really outdone himself this time. An iPhone? I mean, seriously? I hadn't even considered owning such a device. It was as though he had read my mind and decided to surprise me with something I never imagined I could possess. I mulled over the cost of the gadget, and like a typical broke person, I tried to figure out how I could use the money to pay off my debts to Valentine. It was a fleeting thought, but it lingered in my mind for a while.The last time I saw Dante was when he left me waiting for him, naked, as per his request. But that was hours ago. I had barely put on some clothes when Martha, his assistant, arrived with the phone. As much as I appreciated the gesture, I was more interested in having a word with Dante. So, I got dressed, intending to confront him. I knew he'd be in his office since that's where he usually retreated when he wanted to be alone.I was making my way to hi
ANNA"You should learn to knock or you'll continue to see things you're not supposed to," he said with a hint of irritation.I raised my eyebrows in response. "I'll learn to knock when you stop being an asshole."He rubbed his eyes and sighed, clearly not in the mood for my attitude. "What do you want, Anna?""I want to speak to Debbie," I replied firmly.An amused smirk appeared on his lips. "You know I got you that phone for a reason, right?"I didn't find the situation amusing in the slightest. "I want to see Debbie while I'm talking to her," I said, my tone brooking no argument.His expression changed from amused to one of annoyance as he glared at me. "Anna, you know it's not safe. Why are you so bent on frustrating me?" he asked, his voice laced with irritation.I couldn't help but scoff at his words. "Frustrating you? Dante, do you have any idea what it's like to be me? To constantly have to look over my shoulder, to worry about my safety every time I leave my house? I just want
AnnaThe drive to Debbie's place was brief, and as we rode in silence, Dante kept stealing glances at me, his lips pressed against my knuckles while a brief smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. I was confused, unsure of what to make of this new development. Dante was an enigma, sweet and kind one moment and a complete jerk the next.Lost in thought, Dante's voice interrupted my reverie as he squeezed my hand, "Where did you go?"I hesitated, but then decided to be honest, "What is going on between us, Dante? One minute we're intimate, and the next, we're at each other's throats."He pulled the car to a stop, turning to face me completely. "I don't know, Anna. But I do know that I care for you, and whatever is happening between us is different. Let's just take it one step at a time and see where it takes us."I thought back to Matteo's words at the poolside and decided not to pressure Dante. Going with the flow didn't sound like a bad idea. I leaned in and gave him a warm, lingerin
Dante As soon as Anna stepped into the car, I sensed that something was amiss. Her demeanor was cold and distant, and her expression appeared to be carefully calculated. I couldn't shake the feeling that her recent conversation with Debbie had not gone well."Is everything okay?" I asked, my concern evident in my tone.She attempted to conceal her distress with a smile. "Yes, I'm fine," she replied.I wasn't convinced. "Anna, you know I hate it when you lie to me. Did Debbie say something that upset you?"Her shoulders tensed. "Why did you discuss me with Debbie?" she asked, her tone accusatory.Damn it, I thought to myself. I knew I shouldn't have confided in Debbie. But Anna had been withholding information from me, and I felt like I had no other choice."I had to ask around," I explained. "You weren't giving me any vital information. So I turned to your friend Debbie to see if she could help me out."Anna's gaze turned steely. "That doesn't give you the right to pry into my persona
Anna Dante entered the room with a quiet grace, careful not to disturb my slumber. He unholstered his gun and began to strip down, sliding into the bed beside me under the comforter. I felt his warm breath on my shoulder blades and his voice was like a whisper, sending shivers down my spine. "Baby, lose the clothes," he murmured.Turning to face him, I was breathless at how handsome he looked. "Someone has great stamina," I teased, laying a gentle kiss on his lips, but he pulled away."I don't want to fuck you, Anna. I just want to feel your body against mine," he said, his voice low and intense.Still trying to convince him otherwise, I began a slow strip tease, but he simply rested his head on his shoulder and stared at me, his pupils dilated with desire. However, he made no move towards having sex with me. When it became clear that my teasing wasn't going to change his mind, I climbed into bed with him. He held me tightly, my small breasts pressed against his firm chest.He kissed
DanteWhat the bloody hell just happened? I wondered, trying to make sense of the situation. My mind was racing as I attempted to comprehend how Lisa had found out about my nocturnal activities. However, I didn't have the luxury of time to contemplate the issue, as Anna was giving me a withering look. Lisa's words had wounded her deeply, and if I didn't come up with a plausible explanation, she would believe them."What's the matter, Dante? What was Lisa talking about?" Anna demanded, her voice taut with anger."That wench is just trying to provoke you," I replied dismissively, hoping to shift her focus away from the matter.Anna's arms were crossed, and her brows were furrowed as she asked, "Is that so?""Don't tell me you believe her," I pleaded, hoping to dispel any doubts she might have."Well, give me a reason not to," Anna retorted, her eyes locking onto mine.My anger began to rise at her lack of trust. "So, in other words, you don't trust me?" I challenged her."I trust you to
AnnaThat jerk is going to get me into trouble," I muttered under my breath, frustrated with Dante's incessant questioning. I knew that I needed to come up with a reasonable explanation for V's call, but my mind was blank."You know I hate repeating myself Anna, so answer the damn question," Dante growled, his impatience palpable.I cleared my throat and tried to remain calm. "V is a friend I made at Ted's coffee shop," I explained. "He hasn't seen me for a while, so he's probably just calling to check up on me."Dante's expression hardened. "We'll pick up the damn call and tell him to go to hell. You're fine, and he doesn't need to bother you."I sighed. "That's a bit harsh, Dante. He's just being friendly."Dante grabbed me by the waist and pulled me close. "It's not just about him being friendly. If a guy is this interested in you, it's a problem. I own you, Anna, all of you. I don't like other men hanging around you."I bristled at his words. "I'm not your property, Dante. It's rud
AnnaI deliberately left my phone behind, knowing full well that Dante's first course of action would be to track my every move. As I stared out of the dingy window, I couldn't help but ponder how my life had turned to ruins. First, my mother was taken captive, then I betrayed the only person who had been helping me, followed by falling in love with him, and to top it all off, I was now carrying his child. The pregnancy test lay before me, with its two pink lines serving as a constant reminder of my current situation. It seemed that karma had decided to play a cruel joke on me, and at the worst possible time.It had been two weeks since I had fled from Dante and his men, all for the sake of my mother. However, even now, I couldn't bring myself to betray Dante. I reached into my purse, checking once again to ensure that the file Valentine had been so desperate to acquire was still in my possession. The truth was, I had two powerful men hot on my heels- Valentine and Dante, both searchin
ANNA More than a month had passed since that harrowing incident, yet its memories remained as vivid as if it had occurred just yesterday. The echoes of gunshots still reverberated in the depths of my mind, and the fear of losing Dante clung to me like an unwelcome shadow. He had risked everything for me, shielding me with his own body, taking a bullet for me and in that moment, I made a solemn vow to love him endlessly if he fought his way out of the coma that consumed him. The mere thought of losing him sent waves of anguish through my soul. Dante... my brave, selfless Dante.But it wasn't just the anguish of losing him that consumed me; it was the seething rage that burned within me, directed at the one responsible for this tragedy. That vile woman had sent Dante, the great Dante Williams, into a coma. If I could resurrect her just to take her life once more, I would do it without hesitation.Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Xavier, a man who had been a constant presence in my lif
ANNAOur journey back to New York unfolded smoothly, with laughter and camaraderie filling the helicopter cabin. The guys cracked jokes, Dante engrossed in his phone, and I found solace in immersing myself in a romance novel on Booknet. It was a rare moment of tranquility amidst the chaos we had faced.As we approached our destination, Xavier expressed his need to be dropped off so he could catch a flight back to California. We obliged, landing on the rooftop of a hotel where he bid us farewell. With a final wave, he disappeared into the building, leaving Dante and me to continue our journey.Once we landed and stepped out of the helicopter, I suddenly found myself enveloped in a tight hug. Startled, I looked up to see Mateo wearing a broad smile on his face."So happy to have you back, Anna," Mateo exclaimed, his eyes scanning my face before embracing me once more.Returning his hug, I couldn't help but be touched by his warmth and genuine joy. "I'm happy to be back," I replied, my v
ANNAAs I sat on the rock, catching my breath and allowing my weary muscles to relax, a glimmer of curiosity caught my eye. Not too far from where I stood, nestled amidst the foliage, was a cave entrance. Its dark recesses beckoned to me, despite the inherent dangers that caves often held. Yet, an irresistible pull urged me forward, compelling me to explore its mysterious depths. How could we have missed this during John and his crew's cleanup? Were they as oblivious to its presence as I had been?I couldn't resist the temptation any longer. With a mix of trepidation and intrigue, I rose from the rock and cautiously made my way towards the cave. Each step carried a hint of apprehension, my mind flooded with thoughts of hidden treasures or a fantastical encounter awaiting me within. Absurd as it may seem, a part of me half-expected a whimsical figure resembling the Wizard of Oz to materialize before my eyes.Shaking off the whimsical notion, I pressed on, my heart pounding in anticipat
ANNAThe past week with Dante had been nothing short of a blissful honeymoon stage, as he lavished me with his attention, pampering me and worshipping every inch of my being. However, amidst the intoxicating whirlwind of love and desire, there was a nagging thought that persistently gnawed at the corners of my mind—the elusive file. I yearned for its resolution, unable to attain complete peace of mind while it still lingered in the shadows.Today, with a newfound determination, I resolved to bring up the subject once more. I couldn't suppress my curiosity any longer; the file's existence cast a faint but palpable shadow over our idyllic paradise.Finding Dante on the island wasn't a particularly challenging task. I spotted him reclining under the warm sun, basking in its golden embrace. Drawing closer, I handed him the bottle of sun screen, a subtle request for him to apply it onto my exposed back. His eyes darted toward the security personnel stationed nearby, prompting the vigilant
ANNADante's reassurances did little to ease my growing unease. Deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something, something potentially dangerous. Attempting to reach him, I dialed his number several times, only to be sent straight to voicemail each time. Frustrated, I turned to Xavier as my next point of contact, but my calls to him also led to his voicemail. It seemed like everyone I reached out to was suddenly unreachable.In a desperate attempt to gather some information, I turned to the intimidating figures Dante had assigned as my security. However, they remained tight-lipped, refusing to provide any insight or even acknowledge my presence. Their indifference to my greetings only fueled my suspicion further.Seeking solace, I stepped out from behind the protective shield made of bamboo and scanned the surroundings. That's when I noticed Lily, completely engrossed in her own world, diligently etching something on the sandy ground. Intrigued, I approached her,
DANTESilently, I eased the door open and peered into the room, spotting one of Orlando's men meticulously arranging the space. It appeared he had been reduced to a servant, a mere houseboy in Orlando's empire. Taking aim at his heart, I squeezed the trigger, the sound of the gunshot punctuating the air. The man crumpled onto the bed, his lifeblood staining the pristine white sheets. One adversary eliminated, leaving six more to confront. Stepping further into the room, Matteo, Tom, and John followed closely behind me, ready for the imminent confrontation. With a subtle nod from me, they dispersed, each armed with the determination to eradicate those despicable men.Time seemed to blur as the next few moments unfolded. Swiftly and efficiently, we took down four more of Orlando's men, their existence extinguished with ruthless precision. John's skill and proficiency in combat proved invaluable, reinforcing my confidence in our team's ability. Now, we stood on the threshold of the cabin
DANTELast night, as the moon hung high in the star-studded sky, I found myself unable to surrender to the soothing embrace of sleep. Instead, I remained wide awake, vigilant and alert, my eyes refusing to succumb even for the briefest of moments. In my hand, I cradled Orlando's exquisite scotch, which I had discovered at the deserted bar earlier. Its amber glow danced in the dim light, offering me solace and temporary respite from the anticipation that gripped me.The plan was simple yet delicate. Xavier had assured us that he would inform us the moment they departed from the house. Until then, I found myself imprisoned in the confines of a dreary room, awaiting Xavier's crucial call. Aware of the delicate nature of our mission, I made sure Xavier swore an oath of secrecy, binding him not to utter a single word about our clandestine endeavor to Anna. His compliance was not optional; I had made it abundantly clear that any breach of trust would result in dire consequences—I vowed to
DANTE As Xavier and I discussed the plan, his optimism was palpable. He readily agreed to take care of the individuals responsible for inspecting the jet. I didn't bother asking him for specifics because if he had managed to eliminate the guards around Anna's cell, I had faith that he would handle this task as well. Xavier instructed us to be prepared tonight since Orlando's departure was scheduled for the morning. He emphasized the importance of our presence at the designated location, ready to execute our mission. A portion of my team had already departed for California to ensure the safety of Anna and Xavier's family, while the remaining members would confront Orlando's men at the airport.Lost in my thoughts, I was interrupted by a knock at the door. Granting permission for entry, I saw Tom poking his head in."Do you have a moment, boss? I'd like to talk to you," he asked."I can spare a few minutes. Come in," I replied, gesturing for him to take a seat.Tom entered and settled
DANTEI let out a relieved sigh as I reminisced about Lisa's wild escapades from the previous day. Ah, what a weight off my shoulders! Finally, I could shed the charade of playing the affectionate lover, sparing myself from the obligation to shower her with kisses just to keep her satisfied. The thought of indulging in such acts, which would undoubtedly displease Anna, made me cringe inwardly. Damn I sound pussy whipped.Just as I was lost in my musings, my ringing phone jolted me back to reality. With a mischievous grin spreading across my face, I nonchalantly propped my legs up on the table as I reached for the call button. I knew exactly who it was before even glancing at the caller display. "Hey love, is everything alright?" I greeted her, a hint of curiosity lacing my voice.In the background, I could hear Anna shuffling around before finally responding, her tone laced with a touch of annoyance. "Well, aside from the fact that your ever-vigilant security detail shadows my every