Page 121 of Savage Ambition

“But I can’t be your boyfriend,” he added gently. “Not when Salvatore owns me.”

I nodded against his chest, refusing to let the sharp truth sting. “I know. I’m not naïve enough to expect happily ever after right now.” No matter how much I want that, I added to myself. “It’s enough to know I’m different.”

Dante’s fingers moved down to my spine. “I can’t promise exclusivity, but don’t think this isn’t significant. When I’m free of Salvatore someday, maybe things will be different.”

Coming from Dante, a man who kept every facet of his life locked down in secrets, it was a staggering admission.

“That would be nice,” I replied.

The reality of Dante’s situation would intrude later. But at least for the moment, Dante belonged only to me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

DANTE

Igrabbed a warm washcloth from Shaw’s bathroom, wringing it out before returning to the bed. His eyes followed me, tracking my movements.

“Let me,” I said, sitting beside him.

He blushed as I cleaned the lube from his body, his muscles tensing at the unfamiliar sensation. “You don’t have to.”

“I know.” I continued anyway, being extra gentle where he’d be sore. “Your first time bottoming usually isn’t comfortable afterward.”

His blush deepened, but he relaxed under my ministrations. “It feels nice to be taken care of.”

When I finished, I tossed the washcloth aside and stretched out beside him. His head settled against my shoulder, his breathing synchronizing with mine.

“I need you to stay away from Gennaro Corporation for a while,” I said as gently as I could.

He sat up with a betrayed expression. “Is that what this is about?”

“This has nothing to do with that,” I denied. “It never has.”

“Then what was this?” His voice carried an accusation that cut deeper than it should have.

I caressed his cheek, but he flinched away from me. “Me selfishly wanting you. That’s all.” I should have known he’d assume I’d used sex as a negotiation tactic. “I want you on my terms, Shaw. Not with Salvatore watching through cameras, not with a clock ticking down, not with the price tag that makes you think I don’t care.”

Doubt lingered in his eyes. “Then tell me why.”

“Salvatore’s monitoring you too closely.” I suppressed the rage simmering beneath the surface at the memory of my adoptive father tracking Shaw’s every move. “If you stop coming now, it looks like Jace’s behavior disgusted you too much to return.”

“No way,” he argued, crossing his arms. “Salvatore will think he won by intimidating me. I need to prove I’m not afraid of him.”

“You should be,” I said, my tone stopping his protest cold. “I’m not saying forever. Just for right now, while he’s fixated on you.”

His jaw tensed with stubborn resolve. “I refuse to be scared off.”

I suppressed a sigh. His pride would get him killed. “Let him think he won. He’ll lose interest faster.”

“How does that work?”

“If he thinks you broke easily, you become boring to him,” I explained. “Salvatore only enjoys the hunt when there’s resistance. Even if you come back later, he’ll dismiss you as weak and unworthy of his time.”

“That’s horrible.”

“Better horrible than dead.” I didn’t elaborate on the alternative tortures that were worse than a merciful death.

His cheeks flushed. “It’s not like I would actually do that.”