BATH

en

ots

asured. Co

just as Dante appeared in the door

said, voice

an hes

t say it

acket, and slipped past Dante without another

sence filling the room like a storm cloud. Then, without a word, h

alone in a place like

d. "I didn't thin

. "They smell weakness," he murmured, his gaze burning

lifted. "Then maybe you should stop brin

t instead of replying, he

o," he sa

de him, his hand didn't just rest at

tective. P

haze and power struggles of the club behind. The loud music faded with the

feeling the adrenaline from the earlier confrontation in the restroom and the intensity in Dante's eyes, not j

she asked, her voice

aintained his poise and demeanor, sitting be

quieter,"

er reflection faint against the glass. This world felt cold and harsh, but with Dante

stions asked. Dante helped her out and led her inside, through a marble lobby an

ght. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city. The scent of l

s tie and walked t

ping toward the window. "Why

swirling it slowly. "Becau

d toward h

ers. "Because no one

siveness in his voice was unmis

touch you," she said,

his glass. "I let

hung betw

the one I w

cted that. He crossed the room toward her, sl

idn't flinch. You held your ground." His eyes d

he asked, bar

o m

hard, her heartbe

ng a strand of hair from

anted

you di

at followed was

eat, the unspoken danger, it all poured into that kiss. She grip

ead against hers. Without a word, he unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his

nable to watch as he undressed in front of her. She focused on the view outside the window ins

around his waist, leaving the room with a quiet, deliberate stride. The do