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"The meeting was… illuminating," he replies. "Nico is sure the Volkovs are betraying me, as I suspected."

I turn to him, studying his expression. "And your accounts? The frozen assets?"

"Almost certainly their work, though I can't prove it yet." He loosens his tie, eyes never leaving mine. "They facilitated your transfer to me, then systematically began dismantling my financial foundations. A clever strategy, if not a stupid one."

The calm way he delivers this information sends a chill through me despite the rising steam surrounding the bathroom. "So they used me as a distraction?"

"Perhaps. Or maybe they never intended to honor our agreement at all." He steps closer, one hand gripping my hip with familiar possessiveness. "Regardless, their miscalculation was assuming you would weaken me."

His hand slides to squeeze my ass, applying just enough pressure to remind me how much I crave him. But there's something else in his touch this morning.

"So we're attending the opera to show the Volkovs I'm not the liability they hoped for?"

His laugh lacks humor. "We're attending the opera because I want to take you, Francesca. I thought you would enjoy a night out with your fiancé."

I pin him with a raised brow. "Dante, in all my time by your side, I know you—"

He moves his hand from my ass to cover my mouth, stopping the argument forming on my lips.

"And yes,princess. And it's also a good way to remind Rome who controls the Castellano princess now. Happy?"

Smiling with satisfaction beneath his hand, I step under the hot spray of the shower, letting water cascade down my body. Dante strips too, joining me in the shower.

With steam engulfing around us, his hands immediately find my waist, spinning me to face the wall as he presses against my back and finds the soap.

"Nico hinted at a change in allegiance," he says, lips at my ear as his hands work citrus smelling soap around my shoulders. "Or perhaps it's just survival. He claims Luca is distracted by Bianca's pregnancy complications. Luca is vulnerable, yet somehow more dangerous than before."

"And you believe him?"

His teeth graze my shoulder, gentle kisses making my nipples peak as his warm touch sends shivers down my spine.

"I believe that all Ravelli men are raised to know how to manipulate truth for advantage."

"Including you?" I challenge, gasping as his hand slides down my spine, slipping between my thighs.

"Especially me." His fingers find me already wet, and I arch my back to bend slightly, ready for him despite the heavy conversation. "But luckily for you, my manipulations now include your pleasure."

Dante's fingers slide inside me, two thick digits stretching me in a delicious burn that makes my breath catch. The shower's hot spray cascades down my back, but it's nothing compared to the heat building between my thighs. His fingers curl, finding that perfect spot and rubbing against it in that makes my knees weak.

"Dante," I gasp, palms flat against the marble shower wall.

"You missed me last night," he growls, his voice a dark promise against my ear.

I can't deny it. I don't even try.

His fingers work deeper, stretching, preparing me as water streams between our bodies.

Dante's free hand tangles in my wet hair, wrapping the long strands around his fist before pulling back just enough to arch my spine. The slight sting at my scalp sends electricity downmy nerve endings, making my pussy clench around his invading fingers.

"Please," I whisper.

His hard cock presses against my ass. I feel the blunt head nudging between my cheeks, seeking entrance. The thought of him claiming me there sends a fresh rush of arousal through me, flooding my pussy.

I reach between us, finding his thick shaft and guiding it lower, positioning him at my slick entrance. The head of his cock stretches me wider than his fingers, making me gasp at the delicious pressure.

"Take what's yours," I challenge, pushing my ass back against him, silently begging him to fill me.

Dante doesn't hesitate. His grip tightens in my hair as he thrusts forward, burying himself inside me with one powerful stroke.