Page 64 of The Gangster King

“Got something to say, Jono?” I ask, shooting him a glare and lifting my brow.

“No, ma’am,” he replies, shooting Dante a wary look, but then returning a dark look my way.

Whatever.

Piece of shit.

I look back at Dante, who is watching both of us carefully, but his expression is unreadable.

“Fine. I will be a good girl.” I give him a fake smile.

Then I notice something I just missed within his eyes. Desire and control, yes. But also...pride. He liked my show of dominance just then with Jono.

Interesting.

Tick, tick, tick.

Dante runs a finger down my arm, making me shiver, and my need rises again like a damn phoenix.

Regret that I will never have sex with this man rushes through me. The opportunity has now passed.

Tonight I will escape.

He drags his eyes from me, nods at his soldiers, and they move into action, guiding us up the steps and into the ball. I suspect he wanted us to be late, to make a statement once we appear.

And that’s exactly what happens.

The music doesn’t stop, but as we appear at the top of the stairs looking down into the room filled with America's wealthiest, almost everyone turns to stare.

Jesus.

My eyes drift across the sea of faces. I know many of them. This is not my first Syndicate Ball.

Dante’s fingers slide up and down my bare spine, and I shiver. When I turn to him, my face slightly tilted, he crushes his mouth to mine.

Claiming me.

In front of everyone.

That’s when I hear my father’s roar.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

DANTE

––––––––

I smile against her lips and then lift my head.

Taking Adelina’s hand, I walk down the steps, and we blend into the crowd.

Oh yeah, I heard Carlos. I just don’t care. No one is going to let him do anything tonight. He can make all the noise he likes, but he knows the penalty if he tried it.

Cut off from the five families.

A fate worse than death.

My mother steps into our path. I stop and kiss her on the cheek.