Dante's Possession - Book cover

Dante's Possession

Ivy White

Chapter 3

HAZEL

Annette jumps to my defense once more. “Why are you always on her case?” Chloe sips her wine, her eyes darting between us. Dante’s gaze is locked on me, unyielding.

“Because something doesn’t add up here. What’s wrong with wanting to know?” He arches an eyebrow at me. Chloe grabs my arm, pulling me away from him.

“Let’s get away from my crazy brother,” she murmurs in my ear, leading me away from the table. We step out of the restaurant into the chilly night air. I rub my arms for warmth.

“Don’t mind him. He’s just worried about you, but he can be a bit overbearing.” Chloe gives me a sympathetic smile. I nod, my eyes on the restaurant entrance.

We wait for Annette and Dante to join us. When they do, Annette’s face is stormy, and Dante is rigid with tension.

His usually easy stride is more aggressive than I’ve ever seen. I decide to stay behind him, hoping he won’t notice my trembling hands.

Why is he so interested in my personal life? He has no right to pry. And even if he did, I want nothing to do with him or that creepy Kenzo.

I’ve heard the stories about Rebecca and Trish. They disappeared after hanging out with those guys. When they came back, they were different. The men in the Societa Oscura are nothing but trouble!

The ride home is silent. Now, Chloe and I are getting ready to hit the clubs. I look at myself in the mirror, the black dress clinging to my curves. I take my ID out of my purse and carefully navigate the stairs in my high heels.

Chloe is still getting ready, and I decide to grab a glass of water before we leave.

I’ve heard that drinking water before a night of drinking can help with the hangover. Might as well give it a shot.

I take a glass from the cupboard, fill it with water, and down it in one go. Annette went straight to bed when we got home, and Dante followed soon after.

Chloe and I started getting ready, and now I’m all dolled up and ready to go.

“You’re not going out,” a voice from the doorway says. I roll my eyes. Of course, it’s Dante.

“What do you want now?” I cross my arms and turn to face him. He’s standing so close I can feel his breath on my skin. I step back, leaning against the counter as he boxes me in.

His breath is cool and minty. He’s dressed in all black—shirt, tie, pants, and shiny shoes.

“You’re not going out. Especially not dressed like that. I’m not in the mood to deal with trouble tonight, Hazel.”

He looks me up and down, and I can tell he doesn’t approve of my outfit. Not that it’s any of his business. I swallow hard.

“We’re going out, Dante.” I try to push him away, but he doesn’t budge. His muscular build makes it impossible to move him. His chest is as hard as a rock under my hands. I can’t help but wonder what his abs look like under his shirt.

I remember seeing him shirtless in his room two years ago.

I shouldn’t be thinking about this. I don’t want to face the reality that he might be even more attractive than I remember.

“You are not going out.” He rubs his stubble against my cheek and breathes down my neck. His body language is clear—he’s ready to fight me on this.

Who does he think he is, trying to control me? I’m not his pet.

“Yes, we are,” I tell him, my voice steady. I won’t let him boss me around.

“Fine! Me, Kenzo, and Mac will take you.” Dante has me trapped between him and the counter. I can’t move!

“No, you won’t.” I meet his gaze, my stomach twisting with anxiety.

“I don’t trust anyone outside this house, Hazel. I won’t let you go out there without backup.” There’s something in Dante’s eyes, but it’s gone before I can figure out what it is.

“We don’t need babysitters.” I shrug, and Dante shakes his head, his hands clenched into fists.

“I didn’t say that. I said we’ll keep an eye out. I have too many enemies. I can’t let you two wander the streets alone at night. Not on my watch.”

I understand his concern. He’s worried that Chloe and I could become targets. But we can handle ourselves.

“Leave us alone. We’ll be fine.” I turn away from him. I don’t need a babysitter.

“Not happening. I’m getting dressed, calling the boys, and we’re all going together.”

“No!” I tell him, my voice firm.

“Yes. If you try to leave without us, I’ll shoot you in the leg. Don’t test me, babe.” Dante winks at me, and I can feel my irritation rising.

“I hate you, you know that, right?” I cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him. How dare he try to control me!

“The feeling is mutual, darlin’.”

I turn away from him, refilling my glass. My mouth is dry, and my throat feels scratchy.

He’s standing too close. His body heat is seeping into me. He’s making me uncomfortable, and I don’t know what to do.

I’ve yet to meet a man who gets such a kick out of ruffling my feathers and dictating my every move. He’s a thorn in my side!

I set my glass down on the kitchen counter, feeling his left hand snake around my waist. He tugs my head back by my hair, his fingers wound tightly in my locks.

I’m rooted to the spot as his hand glides up the front of my neck. It all happens so fast that I can’t react in time, and by the time my brain catches up with the situation, I’m staring him in the face.

Breathless, I lock eyes with him, his green gaze boring into mine.

My heart is hammering in my chest, my throat feels tight, and my sense of direction is all but gone.

“Are you going to try and tell me no again, huh?” His voice is rough, his words more of a threat than a question. He did warn me he’d shoot me if I tried to leave the house.

He’s got a firm grip on my hair, adjusting his hold to gain complete control. It doesn’t hurt, but it’s intimidating.

He steps closer, pinning me between him and the kitchen counter, a smirk playing on his lips. I’m cornered, feeling like a mouse in a trap.

The only sound is our breaths falling into rhythm, my palms are slick with sweat, and my body is trembling. I can’t tell if it’s adrenaline or fear.

As I’ve said before, I have no clue what this man is capable of, and I regret ever provoking him years ago. I’m afraid I might live to regret it.

“I’ll take that as a no. Good girl, you need to behave,” he says. His eyes warn me not to argue, but it’s in my blood, and I’ll never bow down to a man who uses power to belittle me.

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