Dante's Possession - Book cover

Dante's Possession

Ivy White

Chapter 2

HAZEL

“Dante’s coming,” Annette announces, and I quickly scoot to the far end of the couch. I don’t want him to think I’m invading his space again.

Every time I think about him being in the same room, my body shivers. Of course, he would be Chloe’s older brother, and of course, I would have a crush on him.

There’s a pretty big age gap between us, but I can’t help myself. I wonder why it’s okay when you’re older, but not when you’re in school.

I mean, I’m almost twenty, and he’s six years older than me.

As he steps through the door, I hear the jingle of keys. I close my eyes and let out a breath. I drop my gaze to the floor and clasp my hands together. The room’s atmosphere shifts.

I don’t know if it’s just me who feels it, but it’s almost unbearable. He’s intense, and his muscular build doesn’t help. I can’t help but remember his abs from that time I accidentally walked into his room.

Why did you dare me to do that, Chloe? I almost got more than I bargained for, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But that night was so awkward.

He even mentioned that my boobs had slipped out of my top after I felt his breath on my neck. That gave me goosebumps, as did the text he sent me minutes later. It made my cheeks burn.

“Hey, Mom,” he greets, stepping into the living room and kissing Annette on the cheek. Standing at a towering six feet, he makes all of us girls look short since we’re all around five feet tall.

“We’re all going out for dinner tonight. Remember?” Annette asks Dante, a warm smile on her face. Dante takes a seat on the couch across from me.

I don’t dare look up. I need to avoid any potential embarrassment. I don’t know what he might do to make me feel awkward, but I know he’ll find something. That’s just Dante.

I lift my head briefly.

“You coming?” he asks me, giving a quick nod in my direction.

I drop my gaze back to the floor. I can feel his eyes on me. I tell him yes, keeping my eyes fixed on the dark wooden floor, and he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

Chloe and Annette conveniently leave the room at the worst possible moment, leaving me alone with Dante.

“Am I that ugly?” he asks, trying to keep the conversation going. I shake my head, telling him no.

“Then look at me,” he says, his gaze fixed on me.

I take a deep breath and lift my eyes to meet his bright green ones. He turns his head to the side, and I turn my body to face the window, fiddling with my fingers and quickly sweeping my hair over my shoulder.

“Have you told your mom?” he asks, and I shake my head. Dante doesn’t know about my relationship with my mom because I refuse to share my personal life with him.

“I think you should tell one of your parents, Hazel. They should know where you are.”

I nod. That’s all I can do. I can’t let myself fall for a man who works for the Societa Oscura. They ruin lives! I don’t understand how Annette and Chloe don’t know about his lifestyle.

“Why would you ask me something like that?” I ask him, and he shrugs. “It’s a normal question, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I guess so, but my mom will understand.” I press my lips together and glance at his outfit.

A black shirt, a blue corset-style waistcoat that ties up at the back, a gold tie made of real gold, and black pants. His shirt strains against his abs, and his broad chest is clearly visible.

He’s toned, incredibly defined, and I can’t help but lick my lower lip. He either doesn’t notice or chooses not to say anything. I’m not sure which, but I know he doesn’t want me here in his family home.

“Or will she?” I look away from him, feeling a pang of sadness about my life.

Why do I have to come from a broken home? Why didn’t I leave when I had the chance? But then again, getting past Annette would be a whole other challenge.

“Dante. Leave the poor girl alone.” Annette reenters the room, and I silently thank her. She saved me! That’s a first. No one usually helps me out in awkward situations, but I’m grateful.

“Yes, but her parents should know she’ll be out until at least one in the morning, Mom.” Dante clasps his hands together, and Annette gives him a stern look.

“That’s none of your business, Dante. We’ve arranged for Hazel to stay here tonight.” Annette grabs the TV remote and turns off the cable box.

“Seriously?” Dante throws his head back, sighing.

“Yes, seriously.” Annette snaps back, and I hear Chloe’s footsteps as she enters the living room.

“Actually, Hazel and I are going clubbing,” Chloe tells Dante, and I’m left feeling confused. We never talked about going out tonight. I don’t even have any clothes with me.

“Like hell you are!” Dante stands up and walks over to the window, lighting a cigarette. He opens the window and shakes his head.

“You usually don’t care.” Chloe flops back onto the couch, crossing her arms over her chest, and I turn to look at her.

“Well, I do tonight.” Dante sighs. “There’s no way in hell you two are going clubbing tonight. I don’t care what Mom says; weird shit happens in Arlington town on Saturdays.”

“Ugh, get a life,” Chloe retorts, rolling her eyes. I can’t help but smile, even if it’s just for a fleeting moment before Dante swivels his head to look at me.

“Got one already, little sis. That’s how I know the real action happens on Saturdays.” Dante grins, and I fidget with my hands.

I hadn’t planned on being a spectator to a sibling squabble tonight, but I guess I can roll with it.

“Oh, so you’re the big tough guy now, huh?”

I listen to their back-and-forth, while Annette slips on her headphones to drown them out with music.

“Sure am.” He saunters over to Chloe, messing up her black hair. I let out a laugh once he leaves the room, leaving us three girls in an awkward silence.

Well, that was uncomfortable.

AT THE RESTAURANT

Finishing the last bite of my lasagna, I wash it down with a sip of the red wine Annette insisted we needed upon our arrival at the restaurant.

The waiter approaches our table to collect the payment, and Annette reaches into her bag to pay. But Dante intercepts her, pulling out his own money to cover the bill.

“No, I’ve got this,” Annette tries to argue, but Dante shakes his head. “A gentleman always pays for the meal, no matter the cost. Use your money to buy a dress or something.”

Annette nods, and Dante waits for her to put her money back in her bag. But she doesn’t. Instead, she tries to play the hero, as she always does.

Dante gives me a hard look when she tosses the money across the table to me.

“No, no. I can’t accept this, Annette. But thank you.” I slide the money back to her, take another sip of my wine, and she stands up.

She walks around the table, staring down at me. I squirm under her intense gaze. Dante definitely inherited his intensity from his mother.

I’m going to be flat on my back if I keep drinking this wine, but I’m so uncomfortable. There are no words.

“Open your hand,” Annette orders through clenched teeth. I shake my head, refusing to comply.

“I said… Open your damn hand, woman. You’re taking this. You need it; I don’t. It’s that simple.”

Being the stubborn person I am, I shake my head again. My eyes widen when Dante grabs my wrist. I look up at him, pausing to meet his gaze.

Time seems to freeze, and all the surrounding noise fades away. He takes my hand, flips it over, and forces it open.

He drops the money into my palm, closes my fingers around it, and pushes my hand away. I don’t move. I just stare at him while my heart threatens to burst out of my chest.

“Mom, you keep your money. Hazel, you take that money. No more arguments,” Dante declares, before taking a long gulp of his whiskey. Annette retakes her seat.

“No, son, you need it,” Annette tells Dante, and he turns to her with a smirk.

“Do I, really?” Annette nods, and he chuckles briefly before smirking at her.

“If I ended up in a coma from a car crash, riddled with bullets, do you really think I’m earning minimum wage?” Dante taps the table, and Annette shrugs.

Why doesn’t she ask him what he does for a living? Everyone else knows the truth. Could she know what his job is deep down?

“Well, yeah.” She gives him a hard look, and he leans back in his seat, a smug grin on his face.

“Really?” Dante licks his bottom lip, and I watch closely. He’s so damn sexy. I hate feeling nervous around him.

Again, she nods, and Dante pulls out a wad of bills.

“Far from it.” He laughs, sliding the rolled-up bills across the table to Chloe. Her jaw drops, and he shrugs, pulling out another wad and passing it to Annette.

“Seven thousand should cover shopping, right?”

Chloe and Annette nod in unison. They look like robots. I think they’re more shocked than anything right now. Dante leans against the table, looking at me.

I look everywhere but at him, knowing that his next words will put me on the spot.

“So tell me. Why is my mom giving you money, offering you a place to stay, and welcoming you into our home all the time? What’s happening at home?”

Dante raises his eyebrows, and I tap my foot nervously. I don’t want to tell him why, but he’s on the offensive. I’m scared of what he might do if I tell him the truth.

“Dante, you can’t ask that!” Annette exclaims from across the table. Even she’s taken aback by his question, and he’s her son. Dante turns to face her slowly.

“I can and I will.” Turning back to me, he leans his elbows on the table. “What’s going on?”

Next chapter
Rated 4.4 of 5 on the App Store
82.5K Ratings
Galatea logo

Unlimited books, immersive experiences.

Galatea FacebookGalatea InstagramGalatea TikTok