Page 12 of His to Protect

Felix felt a familiar heat rise in his cheeks as he pictured Dante's rough hands on him, treasuring his body, making it sing… The man had taken him apart like an expert assassin took apart a gun.

Felix's fingers trembled. He pulled his phone from the pocket of his tailored slacks.

This was a bad idea. But selling your ass for rent money was a bad idea to begin with, wasn't it? What was one more bad idea on the pile?

With a swift motion, he typed out a short message: "I need another ride."

He hesitated for a moment before pressing send, a wild thrill coursing through him, twisting his stomach.

It was stupid to assume that Dante would even reply. He was in the Thorne family mafia, for christ's sake, and he clearly wasn't some petty footsoldier. He was probably busy out there doing… whatever it was that mafia guys did.

His phone buzzed.Just name the place.

Felix shivered.

As he walked back to the table, Felix's mind was a blank — but his heart was thumping.

"Sorry about that," Felix said, returning to his seat across from Steven. "I'm not feeling too well, actually. I think I need to take a raincheck on tonight."

"Of course," Steven replied, concern evident in his voice as he signaled for the check. "I hope you feel better soon."

"Thanks," Felix mumbled.

As soon as he left the table, Felix practically sprinted out of the restaurant, his heart pounding in his chest. The cool night air kissed his cheeks, offering a brief respite from the stifling atmosphere inside. He could hardly believe what he had done — but there was no turning back now.

Within minutes, Dante's sleek black car pulled up next to Felix in the parking lot. The older man rolled down the window, looking at him as if he knew exactly what Felix was thinking. "Get in."

Felix climbed into the passenger seat, memories of their last encounter flooding back to him. The scent of leather and expensive cologne filled his nostrils, reminding him of how Dante had made him feel — desired, vulnerable, and entirely under his control. The heat of anticipation began to pool in his stomach.

"Was your date really that boring?" Dante teased, his dark eyes gleaming mischievously as he pulled the Cadillac away from the restaurant.

"Shut up," Felix retorted, though his flushed cheeks betrayed him. "Just drive."

The city lights flickered past them like a sea of stars, casting a warm glow on Felix's face as he stared out the car window.

"I know the Caddy is pretty sweet, but did you really ditch your date just for a drive?" Dante asked. His voice had a teasing edge that sent shivers down Felix's spine.

"Like you have any right to judge," Felix shot back, flushing at the memory of their last encounter. "You're the one who warned me about older men in the first place."

Dante chuckled, his strong grip on the steering wheel making Felix's heart race. "And yet, here you are. So, what do you want from me, kid?"

Felix hesitated, arousal pooling deep inside him as he struggled to articulate his desires. He wanted Dante — his strength, his dominance, his unwavering certainty.

But voicing those needs felt like stepping off a cliff into the unknown.

"Take me somewhere nice," he finally said.

'Nice' didn't begin to describe the view that greeted them when they arrived at the mountain overlook. The city spread out below them like a glittering jewel, its distant hum fading into insignificance.

Felix drank in the sight. "Wow," he murmured, unable to tear his eyes away. He peered through the windshield of Dante's car at the scene ahead of them. "I think I can see my house from here." He pointed to a tiny cluster of lights far below, feeling small and insignificant in comparison. "It all looks so... little."

Dante chuckled, his deep voice resonating through the car's interior. "Everything seems smaller when you're up high."

Felix couldn't help but tease, his voice breathy and tinged with nerves. "So this is a big, bad mafia enforcer's idea of a nice place? I was expecting more... I don't know, bourbon and cigars? A torture basement?" He tried to laugh it off, the words tumbling out in a desperate attempt to fill the silence.

Dante's hand reached out, fingers gripping Felix's chin with a firmness that bordered on possessive. The sudden touch sent shivers down Felix's spine, setting his senses ablaze. Dante's eyes bored into his, their intensity making it impossible for Felix to look away.

"Enough talk," Dante growled. "Why did you call me, Felix?"

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