Chapter 18: A Dangerous Proposition
POV – Ava
The Silence Before the Storm
The silence between us was heavy.
Dante hadn’t spoken a word since we left the rooftop.
Not when we got into his car.
Not when we reached the penthouse.
Not even when I tried to explain.
And now?
Now, we were in the air—flying away from the city, away from Lucien, Magnus, everything.
I sat stiffly in the plush leather seat of his private jet, my nails digging into my palms.
"Where are we going?" I finally asked.
Dante stared out the window, his expression cold, unreadable.
"Away."
I swallowed hard. "Away from what?"
His gaze snapped to mine, sharp as a blade.
"From the things that keep trying to steal what’s mine."
My stomach tightened.
Because I knew exactly what he meant.
Dante – A War of Control
She had no idea how close I had come to ripping Lucien apart.
Right there. Right in front of her.
And the worst part?
She would have hated me for it.
I clenched my jaw, my fingers twitching against my thigh.
She had let him touch her.
Had let him tempt her.
Had let his words seep into her mind like poison.
And now, she was looking at me with doubt in her eyes.
That fucking doubt.
I leaned forward, my voice low, controlled.
"You disobeyed me, Ava."
She sucked in a breath, her fingers curling in her lap.
"You met with Lucien behind my back."
Her lips parted, but I didn’t let her speak.
"And yet, you still expect me to trust you?"
Her throat bobbed. "I just wanted answers."
I let out a slow, dark laugh. "And did you get them?"
A flicker of something crossed her face—guilt.
And that was all I needed.
I reached over, cupping her chin, forcing her to look at me.
"Tell me, little one…" I murmured, my thumb grazing her lower lip. "Did you like it?"
Her breath hitched. "Dante—"
"Did you like it when he touched you?"
Ava tensed, shaking her head. "No. I—"
"Liar."
She let out a sharp breath, her pulse hammering against my fingers.
And fuck, that only made me harder.
I smirked, leaning in, my lips brushing her ear.
"I’m going to remind you who you belong to, Ava," I whispered. "And when I’m done, you won’t even remember his name."
Her thighs pressed together.
And I knew—she wanted it.
The Island of Sin (First-Person POV – Ava)
The moment we arrived at the island, I knew I was in trouble.
Because this place?
It wasn’t a safe house.
It wasn’t a hideout.
It was a fucking trap.
A prison disguised as paradise.
The ocean stretched for miles, the moonlight turning the waves silver and endless.
And Dante?
He was dangerous in the moonlight.
Dressed in black slacks, shirt unbuttoned just enough to tease, his blue eyes glowing with something dark.
Something hungry.
My pulse skipped.
Because I knew that look.
And I knew exactly what was coming.
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The Beach – A Lesson in Possession
POV – Dante
She was angry when I led her onto the sand.
Good.
I wanted her angry.
I wanted her wild, defiant—so I could break her all over again.
"You can’t just take me away like this," she snapped. "I had a life—"
"You had a death sentence." My voice was sharp, cutting. "And I just saved you from it."
She glared at me, fire in her eyes. "By locking me away?"
I smiled. "Oh, little one… you’re not locked away."
I reached for the tie on her silk robe. Pulled it loose.
She sucked in a breath as the fabric slid from her shoulders, pooling at her feet.
"You’re exactly where you belong."
Her chest rose and fell quickly, her hands curling into fists.
"This isn’t fair, Dante."
I lifted a brow. "What isn’t fair? Keeping you alive?"
She shook her head. "Controlling me."
My smirk deepened. "Control? Ava, you think I need to force you to want me?"
I took a slow step forward, letting her feel my presence, the way the air between us tightened like an electric wire.
"You can fight me all you want," I murmured, reaching out to run my fingers down her arm. "But we both know how this ends."
Her breath shuddered. "You don’t own me."
I tilted my head. "Then walk away."
She froze.
I let my fingers trace lower, just skimming over the soft skin of her hip.
"Go on," I whispered. "Prove me wrong."
Her lips parted, her throat working around a sound she didn’t make.
But she didn’t move.
I smiled, dark and satisfied.
"That’s what I thought."
Ava pov
The wind licked against my bare skin, but Dante’s gaze was hotter.
I should have fought him.
I should have held onto my anger.
But when he stepped closer, his fingers trailing down my stomach, lower, lower—
I arched into him, my body betraying me.
"See?" he murmured, his lips teasing my throat.
"You can fight me all you want, Ava…"
His fingers slid between my legs, finding me wet, needy.
"But your body will always be mine."
I whimpered, grabbing onto his shoulders as he lifted me into his arms.
He carried me into the ocean, the waves lapping against my skin.
And then—he was inside me.
Hard. Deep. Unrelenting.
I cried out, fingers digging into his back.
Dante growled, his teeth grazing my throat.
"You still thinking about him?" he rasped, thrusting harder.
I gasped, shaking my head.
"Say it."
I moaned as he dragged me to the edge, his grip possessive, punishing.
"Say. It."
"You," I gasped. "Only you."
His teeth sank into my shoulder as I shattered around him.
And when he followed, it wasn’t just possession.
It was war.
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A Watchful Shadow
POV – Magnus
From the cliffs above, I watched them.
Dante. Ava. Tangled in sin.
So predictable.
So blind to what was coming.
I smirked, tilting my head.
The prophecy had already begun.
And Dante, for all his power, was playing right into it.
Fool.
I turned away, the wind whispering secrets only I could hear.
Ava thought she was fighting fate.
She had no idea she was already losing.