Chapter 7

Veronica.

The car pulled up in front of a grand estate, the kind you only saw in magazines or movies. It was a grand white building with a water fountain situated at the centre of the compound, followed by vine trees scattered at the edge. It looked like a mansion mansion with a mixture of beach resort vibes.

There were guards situated at the side of every corner and though it looked fancy and exquisite, it felt like hell.

Dante glanced at me occasionally, and I could see the amusement dancing in his eyes. He was enjoying every moment of this and he wasn't hiding it. But of course mom wouldn't notice.

My chest tightened as I stared at it, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach. 

The driver exited the car and opened the door for us. Dante stepped out first, extending a hand to help my mom, who accepted it hesitantly. I followed, my eyes scanning the imposing structure in front of us.  

“This is where we’ll be staying?” Mom asked, her voice filled with awe.  

“For now,” Dante replied smoothly, his hand once again finding its place on my waist.  

I stiffened under his touch but didn’t dare pull away. Not with my mom right there. 

“Why don’t you take Mrs. Bennett inside and get her settled?” Dante said to one of the waiting staff who appeared seemingly out of nowhere.  

A polite-looking woman in a tailored uniform nodded and approached my mom. “Right this way, ma’am.”  

“Veronica, are you coming?” Mom asked, looking over her shoulder.  

“I’ll be right there,” I said, forcing another smile.  

Dante’s grip tightened slightly as she walked away, leaving us standing by the car. As soon as she was out of earshot, I turned to him, my voice low and sharp. “What is this, Dante? Why are we here?”  

He leaned in, his lips dangerously close to my ear. “For your protection, *Principessa.*You should be thanking me.”  

“Protection from what? From you?” I hissed, trying to step back, but his hold kept me firmly in place.  

His smirk returned, infuriating and unnervingly calm. “From people far worse than me. You have no idea what kind of trouble you’re in, Veronica. But don’t worry—soon, you will.”  

I glared at him, my blood boiling. “You can’t just take over my life like this.”  

“I already have.”  

Before I could retort, he gestured toward the house. “Shall we?”  

“Come on, doll?” He pulls out his hands again when I don't move. 

“We’re not staying here,” I said firmly.  

Dante smirked. “You’re welcome to leave, doll, but your mother stays.”  

He knew what he was doing. 

“Why are you doing this?” I said through my clenched teeth.

“What do you mean love? I'm not doing anything.” He mocked, followed by a fake pout. 

His entire sight infiltrated me, he knew what he was doing and he knew I couldn't do a thing about it. 

“You don’t get to threaten me  like this?”

“Ahh, but I do. Or have you forgotten what I told you?” He leaned in, “You don’t have a choice.”

I clenched my fists.  “If you think I’m staying here, you’re delusional.”  

Dante chuckled, a dark sound that sent chills down my spine. “I didn’t say you had to stay. But I can give you a choice.”  

“What choice?”  

He stepped closer, his blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made it hard to breathe. “You can take her with you—but only if you agree to be mine.”  

I froze. 

“Excuse me?”  

“You heard me,” he said, his smirk deepening. “Be mine, and I’ll let her go with you. Refuse, and she stays here under my protection.”  

“You’re insane.”  

“You've said that already, doll. I thought we already established that.,” His lips curled up.

He was enjoying this?

“You should know by now that I don’t make empty threats. So make a wise decision.”  

My mom’s voice broke through the quiet and I turned to meet her standing by the door of the mansion. 

“Veronica, what’s he talking about?”  

I forced a smile, “It’s fine, Mom. Just... give us a minute, okay?”  

She looked hesitant but eventually nodded, following a staff member into the house.  

As soon as she was out of sight, I rounded on Dante. “You can’t do this.”  

“I already have,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “You want to protect her? Then prove it. Give me what I want, and she’ll be safe.”  

I stared at him, my heart racing. He had me cornered, and he knew it.  

“What does ‘being yours’ even mean?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my efforts to sound strong.  

“It means you’ll stay close to me. Do as I say. No running, no hiding. You belong to me, Principessa.”  

My stomach churned at the possessiveness in his tone. But what choice did I have? If I refused, he’d keep my mom here, and I couldn’t risk what he might do to her.  

“Fine. But only if you swear she’ll be safe.”  

His smirk returned, smug and victorious. “Done.”  

“And I’m taking her home.”  

He nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. “For now. But don’t forget, you belong to me now. Try to run, and you won’t like what happens next.”  

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I swallowed hard and nodded.  

“Good girl,” he murmured, his hand brushing against my cheek before I jerked away.  

“You're a disgusting man.”  I spat as his eyes scanned me.

He chuckled but didn’t push further. “You might want to watch your tongue, sweetie, it's sharp.” 

My breath hitched slightly and he noticed because the next moment his hands found my chin. 

He released his hands seconds later. “Let’s get your mother home, okay.” 

Dante walked ahead, but not before flashing another one of his killer smirks and I grunted. He had me tied in place, threatening me–an unknown man I didn't even know anything about–and there was nothing I could do about it.