The force of those words hit her in the chest, but she refused to back down.

“I don’t belong to anyone! I’m not an object!” she shouted, her whole body trembling with fury and helplessness.

Dante moved in a blink.

Before she could react, he was in front of her—closing the distance like a predator. His hand clamped around the back of her neck, tilting her head upward to meet his gaze. His breath was warm on her skin, his grip firm but not cruel.

“Trying to play the dignified one?” he growled in