Chapter 49
Aria’s Pov
The second we stepped into the gala, I regretted everything.
The room was massive, glowing with the soft, golden light of chandeliers dripping from the ceiling like frozen sunlight. The polished marble floor reflected everything–the gleaming crystal glasses, the sweeping gowns, the glittering jewelry, the hungry, curious gazes. It was like stepping into a world that didn’t belong to me, a world of power and privilege that had no room for girls like me.
But the three men at my
side? They belonged. They owned this space.
Dante, with his cold, unreadable gaze, his presence a silent warning that made the air vibrate with tension. Enzo, the quiet storm, the danger wrapped in stillness, his deep green suit hugging his broad frame like it had been designed just for him. And Matteo–smirking, effortless, wearing his confidence like a second skin, his hazel eyes alight with mischief as he took
in the room with an air of pure amusement.
And then there was me, standing between them like an imposter.
Matteo must have noticed my hesitation because his fingers brushed my wrist, a fleeting touch that sent a shiver up my spine. He leaned in, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear.
“Breathe, princesa. You look hot.”
Heat crawled up my neck. “Shut up.”
He just laughed, low and knowing, and I hated the way it sent another shiver through me. His hand found the small of my back, guiding me forward.
And that’s when I noticed the stares.
Not just glances. Not just passing curiosity.
No, people watched me.
Their eyes flickered between me and the three men beside me, lips curling in interest, speculation, envy. The weight of it pressed against my skin like invisible hands, making my breath come faster. I wanted to disappear.
But that wasn’t an option.
A tall man I didn’t recognize approached first, his golden hair gleaming under the light, his smile just a little too polished. His eyes swept over me like he was assessing something.
“You must be new to these events,” he said smoothly, his voice laced with confidence. “A woman like you shouldn’t be left unattended.”
Something about the way he said it made my stomach turn.
Before I could respond, a hand closed around my wrist.
“She’s not unattended.”
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Chapter 49
Dante.
I turned, pulse spiking at the sheer presence of him. He hadn’t raised his voice, hadn’t moved aggressively, and yet the room shifted around him. Like a predator stepping into view, a silent, undeniable threat.
Enzo appeared on my other side, his stormy grey eyes locked onto the man with quiet, deadly warning. “And she’s not
Interested.”
Matteo chuckled from behind me, utterly unbothered. “You should go now,” he added taxily.
The man swallowed, taking a small, stiff step backward. His gaze flickered between them, weighing his options. Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
I exhaled sharply. “What the hell was that?”
Matteo draped an arm over my shoulders, his body warm against mine. “That, princesa, was a lesson.”
I frowned up at him. “What lesson?”
His smirk deepened. “No a one touches what’s ours.”
My
y stomach Пlipped at the way he said ours, but I shoved the feeling down.
The music shifted, the tempo slowing, the sultry, sweeping melody curling through the air like a whispered secret.
Dante was the first to react.
He turned to me, offering his hand like it was a command. “Dance with me.”
1 blinked up at him. “I don’t dance.”
His lips curved slightly, but it wasn’t quite a smile. “You do tonight.”
I should have said no, I should have walked away. But the way he looked at me–steady, unshaken, like he already knew I would say yes–made my fingers twitch.
Before I could think, my hand was in his, and the next thing I knew, I was on the dance floor.
Dante didn’t just dance. He led.
His arms wrapped around me, his grip firm, unyielding, making it impossible to step away. Every movement was
controlled, each step precise. I felt his strength through the fabric of his suit, the slow, deliberate way he moved me across. the floor making my heart stutter in my chest.
“You feel it too, don’t you?” he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear.
My breath hitched. “Feel what?”
His fingers tightened just a fraction/on my waist. “This.”
I didn’t know what this was, but it made my knees weak.
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‘My turn.”
Dante barely hesitated before stepping back, his touch lingering for half a second before he let me go.
And then I was in Enzo’s arms.
Dancing with Dante had been overwhelming. Dancing with Enzo was worse.
He didn’t just hold me. He claimed me, his hands a quiet possession, his movements slow and deliberate. He didn’t speak right away, just watched me with those unreadable green eyes, taking in every flicker of emotion that crossed my face.
“You’re trying to fight it,” he murmured.
I swallowed. “Fight what?”
His lips ghosted near my check, not quite touching, but close enough that my entire body tensed. “Us.”
My pulse jumped
And then–Matted.
“Alright, alright,” he cut in, grinning as he effortlessly took my hand, spinning me away from Enzo and into his arms. “You two are going to scare her away.”
Enzo sighed, stepping back without argument.
Matteo pulled me against him with the kind of ease that should have made me angry. But it didn’t. It made me nervous.
“You’re so tense, princesa,” he teased, his fingers trailing up my arm, sending a shiver in their wake. “Relax”
I wanted
to shove him away. I wanted to yell at him.
But mostly, I wanted him to stop looking at me like that.
Like he already knew what he was about to do.
“Matteo,” I warned.
His smirk deepened.
And then-
He kissed me.
His mouth was firm, confident, hungry, warm.
I gasped, and his hand slid into my hair, pulling me closer. My fingers curled into his shirt before I could stop them, my heart hammering against my ribs.,
When he finally pulled away, bis hazel eyes burned.
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“Now that’s more like it,” he murmured.
I couldn’t breathe.
I turned my head.
Dante and Enzo were watching,
Not angry.
Not jealous.
Just waiting.
Dante smirked, his dark eyes locked onto mine. “I was wondering who’d lose control first.”
Enzo’s gaze flickered to my lips, then back to my eyes. His voice was quiet, steady. “Next time, I get to taste you first.”
Matteo laughed, all lazy satisfaction. He draped an arm over my shoulders, pulling me against him. “Don’t worry, princesa. We’re just getting started.”
I was so screwed.
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