They've been working together all along. This is how she knows about my past.
"I’ll tell the truth! Catherine, s-she offered me a deal," Adrian gasps out. "Said if I helped her get rid of Bianca, she'd forgive my debts; pay them for me. Let me back in. I just—I need money. Need a way back in."
"By destroying the woman you claimed to love."
"I do love her! That's why I?—"
Dante punches him again. Once. Twice. Until Adrian slumps against the wall, barely conscious.
Then Dante drops him and Adrian crumples to the ground, groaning. Dante turns to me, and I see it—the rage still burning in his eyes. But also something else. Possession. Claim.
He crosses to me in three strides, pins me against the nearest wall. Not violent. Just overwhelming.
"You think you get a choice?" His voice is low. Raw. "You're mine. Every breath, every look, every fucking heartbeat. Mine."
"I know," I whisper.
"Do you?" His hand comes up to cup my face. "Because you keep trying to leave. Keep trying to protect me by walking away. And I need you to understand that's not happening. Ever."
"I’m not leaving… I’m not. Adrian said?—"
"I don't care what he said." His thumb brushes my cheekbone. "I don't care if being with you costs me everything. I don't care if Caterina releases every piece of evidence she has. You're not leaving me."
Tears prick my eyes. "He's working with Caterina. They planned this together. To get rid of me so she could?—"
"I know." His jaw tightens. "And I'm going to take care of it. All of it. Caterina, my father, anyone who tries to hurt you."
"How?"
"However, I fucking have to." He leans down, presses his forehead to mine. "Trust me. Can you do that?"
I nod.
"Good." He pulls back, looks at Adrian's crumpled form. "Go home. I'll handle this."
"Dante—"
"Home, Bianca. Now."
I hesitate for just a moment. Then I go.
Because I trust him.
Because despite everything—despite my past, despite Caterina's threats, despite the whole world trying to tear us apart—I want him. I… I love him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Dante
The casino glitters like a promise wrapped in glass and gold.
Matteo owns three in Atlantic City, but this one—The Regency—is his favorite. Crystal chandeliers, velvet everywhere. Money moves fast here.
I bring Bianca because leaving her at home feels wrong after last night. After that fucking coward Adrian. After realizing how many people want to use her against me.
She walks beside me in a black dress I bought her last week, and every man in the casino tracks her movement. I want to break their fucking necks.
Mine, she’s mine.
