Chapter 74 Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Nina’s POV
The drive back felt longer than the way there. City lights blurred past the windows in streaks of gold and red. Enzo kept the music low, some slow beat that matched the thump in my chest. I stayed quiet most of the ride. Coat belted tight. Hands in my lap. Every bump in the road made the silver straps shift against my skin. Reminded me how little was underneath. How exposed I would be soon.
Enzo glanced over a couple times. Smirk still there. But softer now. Like he was proud. Or maybe just enjoying the view.
We pulled through the gates just as the sun dipped low. Sky turning orange and purple. House lights already on. Warm glow spilling from the windows. Guards nodded at Enzo. Didn’t look twice at me. Coat hid everything.
Inside the foyer felt different. Cooler. Quieter. Nana wasn’t in the kitchen. No smell of food. Just the faint scent of pine cleaner and gun oil.
Enzo took my hand. Thumb brushed my wrist again. Pulse jumped under his touch.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded. Swallowed hard. “Let’s get it over with.”
He led me toward the living room. Double doors open. Lights low. Fire crackling in the big stone fireplace. Dante sat on the leather couch. Shirt sleeves rolled. Glass of whiskey in his hand. Nikolai stood by the window. Arms crossed. Looking out at the darkening yard.
They both turned when we walked in.
The room went dead silent.
Dante’s glass froze halfway to his mouth. Eyes widened. Just a fraction. Enough to notice. Nikolai’s arms dropped. Mouth parted slightly. No words. Just staring.
Enzo stopped in the doorway. Let the coat fall open slow. Silver outfit caught the firelight. Sparkled like liquid metal. Skirt short. Top barely there. Body chains glinting. Heels making my legs look endless.
All eyes on me.
No one spoke for a long beat.
Enzo broke it first. Voice casual. But proud. “I took it that I’ve done a good job.”
I felt heat rush to my face. Shy all of a sudden. Coat still hanging open. Hands fidgeting with the belt.
“I don’t think so,” I said quiet. “I’m not a good dancer yet.”
Nikolai let out a low breath. Almost a laugh. Stepped closer. Eyes roaming slow. From heels up. “I will damn spend my millions on you for just breathing.”
His words hung there. Heavy. Honest.
Dante didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just watched. Face blank. No smile. No frown. Nothing. Whiskey glass still frozen in his hand.
Enzo glanced at him. Eyebrow raised. “What? Is she not looking good enough like your Russian models?”
Dante set the glass down slow. Careful. Like it might break if he moved too fast.
“No,” he said. Voice low. Flat. “She’s not going.”
The words hit the room like a slap.
Everyone froze.
Nikolai turned to him. “What?”
Enzo’s smirk vanished. “The hell you mean she’s not going?”
Dante stood up. Slow. Tall. Shadow stretching across the floor from the fire. “She’s not going to the club. Not like this. Not tonight. Not ever.”
I stared at him. Heart slamming. “You said today. You asked me. I agreed.”
His eyes met mine. Dark. Intense. Something flickered there. Not anger. Not jealousy exactly. Something deeper. Protective. Possessive.
“I changed my mind,” he said simple.
Enzo stepped forward. Voice sharp now. “You don’t get to change your mind after we spent the day turning her into this. After she agreed. After I promised her half a million against the debt.”
Dante didn’t flinch. “