Chapter 16: Dante’s reaction

Kavy shook against the tiled wall.

Every muscle in her body tensed like she was about to bolt.

Dante saw it. Felt it.

And it only amused him.

She thought she still had a choice.

That if she resisted hard enough, he'd let her go.

She was wrong.

Dante took another step forward, closing the space between them.

Her breath hitched.

The scent of her fear was intoxicating.

He could hear her heart pounding, a frantic rhythm just for him.

Kavy pressed herself harder against the wall, like she could somehow disappear.

"Don't." Her voice wavered.

Dante's lips curled.

"Don't what?"

Her throat bobbed.

"Don't come closer."

A slow, cruel smirk spread across his face.

So she did understand.

That his presence alone was enough to break her.

That he owned every reaction—every trembling breath, every racing heartbeat.

Dante tilted his head.

Then, just to prove a point—

He stepped even closer.

Kavy sucked in a sharp breath.

His heat wrapped around her, sinking into her skin.

Her scent—**that maddening mix of fear and something else she wouldn't dare name—**coiled around him, making his blood burn.

Dante raised a hand, dragging his fingers slowly up the wall beside her head.

Not touching.

Not yet.

But close enough that her breath shuddered out of her lips.

She was so deliciously fragile.

So easy to snap.

And yet, even now—she still fought.

Dante saw it in her eyes.

The way her fingers twitched like she wanted to shove him away.

The way she refused to look directly at him—as if avoiding his gaze could stop him from seeing the truth.

She didn't want this.

But she felt it.

She felt him.

Dante leaned in, close enough for his lips to brush against her ear.

Her entire body jerked.

He smirked.

Then whispered, low, dark, and final—

"You can keep fighting, Kavy."

His breath caressed her skin.

"But we both know you won't win."