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I shake my head but don’t look at him. “No.”
“Your tone suggests you’re lying to me.”
I shrug in response.
“Stop acting like a brat.” His voice is a growl. “Or I’ll take you over my knee.”
A sudden flush spreads across my cheeks, and a flutter ignites in my stomach. The threat should ignite fear, but instead, it sparks excitement. My breath hitches, and I cross my legs, shifting uncomfortably in the car seat.
“You want to be spanked, don’t you?”
I shake my head and meet his gaze. “No.”
“Defiant and bratty.” He runs a hand across his stubble-dusted jaw. “I’m going to have fun with you, baby girl.”
Baby girl.
Hearing him call me that almost makes me moan. “But you can’t,” I blurt out, clenching my hands in my lap. “You’re a priest, Dante.” I don’t meet his gaze, staring out at the passing buildings. “We can’t... you can’t do that.” I can feel his eyes on me. There’s a long silence, the only sound the hum of the engine and the occasional car passing by.
“I’ll do whatever the fuck I want.” He pulls up in front of The Raven and turns off the engine, making my brow furrow.
“Thanks for the ride, I’ll see you tomorrow?—”
“I’m going in for a drink. Might as well while I’m here.”
“But—”
He grabs my thigh, stopping me mid-sentence. “Quiet, little doe. I’ll sit away from you. We won’t draw suspicion. I need to be where you are.”
“But, Dante?—”
Dante’s voice is firm and resolute, his dark eyes flashing with a dangerous intensity as he leans closer. “Pretend you don’t know me,” he suggests, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk. “I’ll be sitting in earshot to make sure no fucker thinks about approaching you.” His words send a thrilling shiver down my spine. He’s possessive, overbearing even, but in the strangest way, it makes me feel safe.
With a resigned sigh, I nod, knowing that arguing with him would be futile. “Okay,” I mumble, stepping out of the car and fixing my jacket.
This is going to be a weird night. I let him go first. After about a minute, I enter The Raven and instantly notice Eva with the girls she mentioned. Three others are sitting with her.
The anxiety kicks in instantly. I don’t do well in crowds of people I don’t know.
“Madison!” Eva calls my name.
I force a smile and walk over to the table. “Hey, Eva. Thanks for inviting me, and sorry I’m late.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it.” Eva gestures to the three women sitting with her. “Madison, meet Tessa, Riley, and Harper,” she says, pointing to each one. With her fiery red hair and lively green eyes, Tessa seems to embody an infectious energy. Riley, a brunette with a quiet demeanor and soft smile, gives a polite nod. Harper, the blonde, oozes confidence, her icy blue eyes surveying me with curiosity. “Girls, this is Madison,” Eva introduces me to them, an expectant silence falling over the table.
“Hey Madison, nice to meet you,” Tessa greets me first, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “I hope you’re fun.”
Riley, the quiet one, extends a hand across the table, murmuring, “Welcome, Madison. Don’t mind Tessa. She’s a bit of a live wire.”
Harper leans back in her chair, arching an eyebrow. “So, Madison, Eva tells us you’re new in town. How do you like it here?”
Eva interjects before I can respond, playfully adding, “Yes, Madison, do share. And remember, no pressure, but your answer determines whether we let you stay in our squad.”
The table erupts in laughter, easing the tension. This feels less like an interrogation and more like a welcome party.
Smiling, I lean back in my chair, finding comfort in their laughter. “Well,” I begin, glancing at each of them, “I honestly like it here. It’s... nice and quiet.” I shrug, adding, “A nice change from the hustle and bustle I’m used to.” The table goes quiet momentarily before Tessa breaks the silence, joking about how ‘nice and quiet’ won’t last long if I hang around with them. The laughter returns, and I feel at ease with these girls.
After a few drinks, I feel tipsy and forget that Dante’s here, watching me like an overprotective wolf. I catch his eye from across the room, and the stirring in my gut returns. It’s a strange mix of excitement and fear that I can’t quite understand. The night wears on, the drinks keep coming, and the laughter grows louder.
