Chapter 17: The Edge of Fear
"You can keep fighting, Kavy."
Dante's voice slid over her like smoke, sinking into her skin, coiling in her lungs.
"But we both know you won't win."
Her pulse slammed against her ribs.
Her entire body tensed, waiting, bracing—
For what?
For him to break her?
For her to let him?
She clenched her fists. No.
Kavy wouldn't cave.
She forced her head up, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
Dark. Unrelenting. Dangerous.
Dante wasn't just looking at her.
He was seeing her.
Seeing every trembling breath, every silent scream her body held in.
Like he was pulling her apart from the inside.
Kavy's stomach twisted violently.
"I'll fight you," she whispered.
Dante's lips curled. Mocking. Unimpressed.
"You already are."
He was right there.
Towering over her. Blocking the only exit.
His scent was everywhere.
Deep. Musky. Animalistic.
It pressed against her lungs, wrapped around her throat—just like him.
She felt suffocated.
Like she was drowning in him.
And Dante?
He loved it.
His smirk deepened.
"You want to know what happens when you fight, Kavy?"
She swallowed hard.
He leaned in, lips inches from hers.
Her breath hitched.
Her pulse stuttered.
And then—
He laughed. Low. Rough. Dark.
And something inside her snapped.
Kavy shoved him.
Her palms collided with his chest hard.
But he didn't move.
Not even an inch.
Dante's smirk vanished.
And that's when she knew.
She'd pushed the monster too far.
His eyes burned.
His jaw clenched.
For the first time—he looked truly dangerous.
And when he spoke, his voice was no longer teasing.
It was a warning.
"Try that again, and I'll show you exactly what kind of beast you're dealing with."