Chapter 23: His to Keep

Her silence didn't save her.

Dante didn't need her words.

Didn't need her permission.

Because he already knew.

Knew that no matter how hard she tried to fight—

She was his.

Kavy's breath was shallow as he traced his fingers down her arm, slow, deliberate.

"You still think you can resist me?"

His voice was low, mocking.

Daring her. Testing her.

Kavy's lips parted—to argue, to deny, to fight.

But before she could speak, Dante's hand gripped her waist and pulled her closer.

A gasp caught in her throat.

His heat pressed into her, his breath ghosting over her skin.

And her body—

Her traitorous, weak, shaking body—

Didn't push him away.

"You don't want to fight me, Kavy."

Dante's lips brushed against her jaw, barely there.

His fingers traced down her back, pressing against the small of her spine.

A slow, sensual claim.

"You just don't know how to stop."

Kavy's pulse pounded.

A sharp ache curled in her chest.

Because he was right.

She had spent so long trying to run from him.

So long pretending she had a choice.

But she didn't.

She never had.

"Dante—"

He silenced her with a look.

A dark, knowing smirk.

"Shh, little one. You don't have to beg. Not yet."

Kavy stiffened.

She hadn't been begging.

Had she?

Her lips pressed into a thin line, a flicker of resistance struggling to rise.

Dante saw it.

And he laughed.

"Still pretending?"

His voice was mocking, amused.

Like she was a game he was enjoying too much to end.

"Say it again, Kavy."

His hand slid up her back, gripping the back of her neck.

His hold was firm. Unyielding.

And his next words—

"Tell me who you belong to."

A shiver ran down her spine.

She clenched her fists.

Shook her head.

No.

She wouldn't.

She couldn't.

Dante's eyes darkened.

And in an instant, he had her pinned.

Her back hit the wall, his body caging her in.

The heat between them was unbearable.

And his lips—

They hovered just above hers. A breath away.

"One last chance, little one."

His fingers tightened in her hair.

"Say it."

Kavy's breath came in short, desperate gasps.

She could feel her resistance crumbling.

Feel herself breaking.

And when Dante leaned in, his lips brushing against hers—

She whispered the words he had forced from her soul.

"I'm yours."

Dante smiled.

A slow, satisfied, dangerous smile.

"Good girl."

And then he kissed her.

And this time—

There was no more running.

No more fighting.

Only surrender.