Page 17 of His to Protect

Dante leaned against the bar, nursing a drink as he watched his men enjoy their time off the clock.

Aurelio was grinning from ear to ear as a stripper expertly danced around him, her sequined outfit sparkling under the dim lights. He tipped her generously, clearly enjoying her company. Romeo, a tall, lanky guy with tattoos snaking up his arms, was deep in conversation with another scantily clad woman, both laughing heartily at some shared joke. Lastly, there was Matteo, a quiet yet fierce enforcer who had a knack for making people talk — but tonight, as he sat with a dancer on his lap, he was the one whispering into her ear.

Later that night, they had a meet and greet scheduled with a local businessman who had decided not to pay his dues. Until then, they were killing time at the Den. There was definitely worse ways to spend a couple hours than with a glass of bourbon in your hand and a sweet little thing in your lap.

But tonight, Dante wasn't feeling it. His thoughts were consumed by Felix – the vulnerable young man he had claimed days ago. Images of Felix's flushed face and pleading eyes haunted him, sending shivers down his spine.

He'd had virgins before. He loved to show them the ropes, making them scream — and setting the bar impossibly high for the next guy.

But this… this had felt different.

Felix hadn't fucked Dante in an attempt to lock him down, or to get a favor from a Thorne, or to prove something.

He'd done it because he'd trusted Dante.

That was new.

"Hey, boss," Aurelio called out, noticing Dante's disinterest. "You're lookin' a little tense. The girls aren't doing it for you, huh?" He grinned. "Should we find you a boy, huh? We know you like 'em both ways."

"Knock it off, Aurelio," Dante growled, his gaze never leaving the amber liquid in his glass.

"Come on, Dante!" Romeo chimed in. "Loosen up! It's been ages since we've seen you enjoy yourself."

"I'm not in the mood tonight," Dante said flatly, the words feeling like a lie on his tongue.

Nothing on offer at the club was half an interesting as the look on Felix's face when he'd fucked him for the first time.

Shit, just the thought of it made him get hard. Dante scowled, trying to ignore his memories. It was no good. They were under his skin.

Felix was a civilian, someone who had been forced to step a toe into the city's underworld. He wasn't part of their life -- hell, he had that whole sob-story about his sister. He'd spit it out in-between rounds last night, flushed and panting in the back seat of the Cadillac with Dante's cock still in him.

He wanted her to have a good, normal life. He wanted the two of them to stay on the straight-and-narrow. He wanted all that white picket fence shit.

The last thing Felix wanted was to get more involved with a guy like Dante.

Pulling the kid further into Dante's life… It would be cruel.

But Dante wanted to do it anyway.

Dante craved more of him, even if he knew it was wrong to want him so badly. The thought of wrecking him once more, of having that pretty little waist in his hands again, back arched to take him… It sent a thrill through his body, igniting a desire he hadn't felt in years.

"Alright, alright," Matteo intervened, sensing Dante's distance. "We're just messin' with you, boss. Have another drink and relax."

As Dante downed the rest of his bourbon, he couldn't help but feel out of place among his boys. Their easy camaraderie was something he usually relished, but tonight, it only served to highlight the disconnection that had settled deep within him.

Felix had awakened something inside him – a longing for something that he couldn't ignore.

"God damn it," Dante muttered under his breath, cursing himself for letting Felix get under his skin. Yet, despite the danger that lurked beneath the surface of their budding relationship, he couldn't deny the magnetic pull that drew him to the young man.

"Hey boss," said Romeo. "Ruby says she knows something about the operation."

Okay, that got Dante's interest. He looked up. "Bring her over."

A hush fell over the group as Romeo waved over this Ruby: a young redhead that looked new to the club. There was a hum of tension in the way she held herself, but she tried to keep a smile on her face as she sauntered over to Dante.

Good. You never knew who was watching.

When she got close enough, she leaned in to him, batting her eyes like she was working a mark. "Are you the one after those traffickers?"

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