In this episode, we dive into the contemporary romance book, King of Wrath by Ana Huang. This is the first book in the Kings of Sin series. This book contains some of our favorite tropes, including billionaire romance, arranged marriage, forced proximity, one bed, and found family.
During this episode, we discuss how our fun and slightly scandalous nickname for Dante, why his behavior was so infuriating in some parts of the book, how much we loved the banter between him and Vivian, why we’d never say no to a black AmEx, why we want to read more about Dante’s brother and the mafia princess, our impression of Buffy Darlington, and why we could not wait to read Kai’s book. Plus, we chat about the fantastic spice in this book and give it a four-pepper rating.
Steph: Hey, everyone, I'm Steph.
Megan: And I'm Megan.
Steph: And welcome to another episode of Late Night Reads.
Megan: This week, we are talking contemporary romance and covering King of Wrath by Ana Huang.
Megan: Or should we say Dick of Wrath?
Steph: I mean…
Megan: I mean, yes, please.
Steph: So let's start with why we selected the King of Wrath.
Steph: We have not met a billionaire romance series that we did not love.
Megan: Oh, so good.
Steph: So good.
Megan: Loved it.
Steph: Plus, when you add an arranged marriage because the billionaire is being blackmailed, you have our attention.
Megan: Yes, please.
Steph: Right?
Steph: And Dante, he's exceptionally brooding. He's a billionaire. He doesn't let anyone stop him from getting what he wants. But then Vivian brings out the softer side of him that is so chef's kiss perfection. Plus, if you've listened to our show, you know that we love to talk about narcissistic parents. And there are two of them in this book who are highly motivated by their own wants and needs and use their daughters as pawns. But we do get to see one of them change, which we're here for. And the other one also gets what's coming to him. And we do love it when shitty people get that.
Megan: We do.
Steph: We truly do.
Megan: Also, honestly, I'd kind of say like even like his parents end up obviously being very narcissistic as well.
Megan: Because of all the shit that they did.
Megan: But in a different way.
Megan: Here are a few things that you should know about the author, Ana Huang.
Megan: So she is a New York Times number one bestseller, a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her subgenres range from sports to billionaires to suspense. But all of her books feature her signature blend of steam and swoon. And her work has sold over 25 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 34 languages. That's impressive. Like, yeah, that's impressive.She is also a crossword puzzle enthusiast and an avid traveler. She has visited nearly 40 countries herself, several of which have served as inspiration for her books. So now I'm like, have you been to Bali? I feel like you've been to Bali.
Steph: I think so too.
Megan: Do you do scuba diving?
Megan: Because like, I think so.
Megan: Yeah.
Steph: So before we jump into this book, a couple of key reminders as always, this episode will contain spoilers. This book also contains topics that may be sensitive for some readers that we will talk about on the show, anxiety, assault, death, emotional abuse, and PTSD.
Megan: Short list, but still.
Megan: Now let's talk tropes. First up, we have billionaire, of course, because Dante Rousseau, oh, uber wealthy, hot, sexy man, always focused on growing his empire. I bet he is. But let's just say if daddy hands you a black AmEx, you go and spend that shit real fast.
Steph: You say thank you.
Megan: And you say thank you, sir.
Megan: I love it.
Megan: I love it a lot.
Megan: And then we have arranged marriage. So Dante originally had zero plans for ever getting married until he's forced to in an arranged marriage by Vivian's father. Because guess what? His brother just happened to be messing around and sleeping with a mafia princess. And I'm like, I need a bottle for that. And I was like, I need to know. I was like, is this the bishop? Like what's going on here? I want to know more, please.
Steph: Tell me more.
Megan: So basically, his brother, Luca, is going to get in big, big trouble with the mafia if that comes out. And Vivian's father, Francis, is like, I could use these photos to my advantage and I'm going to blackmail this guy to get what I want. So now Dante's only option is to marry Vivian or his brother is going to die because the mafia will fuck him up for sure. On the flip side, Vivian has known always her entire life that she'd be forced into an arranged marriage since she was like a teenager. And I'm like, who does that?
Steph: How do you have that conversation? I love that you're like 13 year old. Hi. By the time you're 30, I will pick out your husband.You will like it. It will be for the benefit of the family.
Megan: Yeah, right.
Megan: You're like, okay.
Megan: But like that's how our family is. Like they're very particular about like what kind of person she can marry because they have to elevate the family social status.And I'm like, yeah, hard pass for me. Like no thanks.
Megan: And then we have forced proximity. So once Dante and Vivian are engaged, she's forced to move in with him into his penthouse apartment. I'm like, oh, poor you. I'm so sorry you have to move into a penthouse in Manhattan is so difficult for you. And then of course, no matter how much he tries to avoid her with his out of town work trips, he just always seems to be reminded of her, like every little thing. He's like, Vivian, what's up? And then of course, we have our one bed trope. So when they travel to visit Dante's parents for Thanksgiving, which is in Bali, by the way, and you're like, great, yes. They're forced to share a room and a king-size bed and dot, dot, dot. Things happen.
Megan: Then we have found family. Dante does not have much of a relationship with his parents, rightly so. And it's pretty much the same thing for his brother, too. So Vivian used to be a lot closer with her family until all the drama happened with her dad. So now the two of them have created their own little family with lots of close friends all around them. So it's a nice little happy ending there.
Steph: Yeah.
Steph: Okay.
Steph: There's a lot of drama on this book and it starts off with Dante Russo.He is that morally gray billionaire CEO that we love. Right? Owns a luxury goods company. Maybe think of the marriage bet and Wrath and that. He rarely attends parties that he's not hosting. He just so happens to be attending this one that Vivian is planning because she is an event planner. And everyone at the party is like staring at him. They're enamored with him. Why is he here? Who's he talking to? And Vivian feels, interestingly, drawn to him, but they don't meet then. However, things quickly changed because Vivian is summoned to her parents' house. And I'm like, girl, you're almost 30. People do not summon us.
Megan: You don't have to be summoned.
Steph: Do not summon me.
Megan: No.
Steph: Unless you are like a judge who can legally summon me.
Megan: Yes.
Steph: Back up.
Megan: If you're serving me servant papers, I mean like here, you've been served your summons to a peer.
Megan: And you're like, okay.
Steph: That's different. You don't summon me. So, but her parents summon her because she's not married. But no worries. Problem solved. Her parents have found her a husband. Like, can you give a girl a heads up? You just, we're having dinner at seven.
Megan: Friday night dinner.
Steph: Dinner's at seven.
Megan: You're going to get married on Sunday.
Megan: No worries.
Steph: Bye. I'll be fine. You're like, okay. But who and what? Because just what every woman wants to hear, you're getting old and need to settle down. I found a suitable match to marry you. And it'll be good for business. And I was like, I died.I was just like, I'm so hooked by this point because I'm one, I like hating her parents immediately.And then I'm also like, well, obviously it's going to be Dante because we've seen him, you know, she felt drawn to him in the previous chapter, right?But I'm just like, she just sits there and she's kind of like internally, like what the actual fuck. But then she's like smiling and I'm like, oh, you haven't reached the status of your life where Megan and I are, which is like, we give zero.
Megan: I give zero and I'll tell you all about my. I'll be like, where you go? Woo. I'm going to get kicked out of family dinner because they're like, Megan, we've had enough of your fucks. Like, please, please leave. Please. We will stop summoning you.
Steph: This is what happens if you summon me and try and marry me off.
Megan: You know, you're going to get shit handed to you.
Steph: Exactly.
Megan: That's from us.
Megan: Yeah.
Steph: But they've done this with our sister.
Steph: So Vivian's like not shocked by it, but she's surprised by the timing and the identity of her future husband, obviously Dante. That's right. Because not only do they drop the bomb that she'll have an arranged marriage, but then they're like, oh, by the way, he'll be here in a few minutes. And I'm like, you need to give people more time. Right.
Megan: Like, what if she she's like, thank God.
Megan: She's like, what am I wearing?
Megan: Tweed outfits and pearls?
Megan: Like, what?
Steph: Very suffered wise, just like mama, right? And so Dante arrives and he is not clearly thrilled about this arrangement based solely on the tone of his voice. So while he's saying like the right things, he does not want to be there, which is confusing because like he is this elusive bachelor, the one every woman wants. He should have no problems getting married. Like, why is he who has a way higher social standing in this world wanting to marry her? So she's like, huh.
Megan: Right then and there, like she's questioning things, but she's not asking the questions.
Steph: No, I think it's because she's not been allowed to.
Megan: No, she has not been allowed to.
Steph: Right?
Steph: You just do what your parents say. Girl, you're an adult. You'll have to. Come on. You make your own money.
Megan: You make your own money, go get it.
Megan: Find your own man.
Megan: Go on, Raya.
Steph: Or not.
Megan: Or not.
Megan: Do you.
Megan: Do you.
Steph: You do you, boo.
Megan: Whatever you want.
Steph: Love whoever you want.
Steph: However many people you want, as long as it's consensual.
Megan: It's consensual.
Steph: Yes. Yes.
Megan: You can do a white shoes, but everyone has to be on the same page.
Megan: So now who can blame Dante considering Vivian's father is blackmailing him? And Dante again has no real intention of marrying her. So this is why he suggests now a year-long engagement, because he wants to delay everything as long as they can. He's like, let's like not even put out the news yet. Like we got to be seen together like in public for at least a couple of weeks. Maybe around the time Vivian moves into my house. Like sure. And Dante's dislike of Vivian isn't tied to her because again, he's just like, oh, she's pretty. Like she's fine. Like I might have liked her like under different circumstances. Like sure. But her father hate her, hate that guy. So that like taints the image of her basically in his mind. And he also is like checking out her outfit. He's like Chanel, Tweed, Pearls. Like what in the world? Like you were literally just like your mother and every other uptight heiress that he's ever met. And he's just like, no, not into it. But we do know that Vivian is far from behaving like that, that kind of like portrayal that she's putting out there. So during this dinner, Dante excuses himself and goes snooping around in Vivian's father's office.
Steph: Which is what we would do.
Megan: Which is exactly what I would do.
Steph: Oh yeah.
Megan: Don't, if you think I'm not snooping, you are sorely mistaken.
Megan: I am snooping all the time.
Steph: Like if you don't want it out, hide it better.
Megan: Hide it better.
Steph: Right?
Megan: You know, like don't hide it in the drawer next to your nightstand underneath all your sweaters.
Megan: I'm gonna find it.
Steph: Correct.
Steph: Well, and it's kind of like the internet. I tell people, I was like, you guys don't understand. We were like our generation, we grew up, like the internet was kind of available to us in our prime. We learned how to sleuth.
Megan: Oh yes.
Steph: So if it's out there, we will find it. If it's in your closet and it's like buried beneath like old receipts, I'm gonna find it. The only way you can keep me out is if it's in a locked safe and I don't know the combination. I'll still try, but that's the only way. Like it's...I'm gonna find it.
Megan: So basically Dante is looking for these photos that are being used to blackmail him of his brother hooking up with the mafia princess, right? Vivian catches him in the act and he's just like, I wasn't doing nothing. Definitely sexual tension going on between the two of them. However, Dante makes it clear he's only marrying her for business. And if he had any other choice and he wouldn't be getting married at all, and he just like lights a cigar and is just like whatever and calls her mia cara. And you're like, oh, which means my dear or like my beloved in Italian. And you're like, this is going to be a pet name I'm going to like.
Steph: I'm going to like it.
Steph: Like I hate her right now, but I'm going to like it.
Steph: I hate it, but I love it.
Steph: So next, Dante confronts his younger brother, Luca, with photos of him and this niece of the Mafia, Don. And while she's apparently 27 and also unable to make choices for herself.
Megan: We're not allowed to do that.
Steph: Not allowed.
Megan: No.
Steph: Her uncle will likely kill Luca if he ever sees these photos, which is why like Vivian's father has that leverage he needs to blackmail Dante. And so Dante is like, Luca, you are cut off. You need no more talking, no more fucking of the Mafia princess. We are done or all of your money is going bye-bye. And I will blacklist anyone who tries to help you financially. So this kind of like scares Luca straight a little bit. He also cuts Luca's monthly allowance in half. And I'm just like, you're a grown ass, but you're in your 30s. Why are you getting an allowance? Right.
Megan: I'm like just kicking him out completely.
Steph: Like I know he has to get a job at one of the company stores.
Steph: Oh, and if he violates any of these rules and sees the Mafia princess again, then Dante will kill him himself.
Steph: And I'm like, I think you might have been actually serious about that.
Megan: I think he was, yeah.
Steph: I think he was too.
Steph: So, where does a billionaire go when they need to blow off some steam?
Steph: To the gym, to beat the shit of another billionaire.
Megan: Why not?
Steph: Why not?
Steph: Fight club.
Steph: So Kai, God, I love Kai.
Megan: Oh, I love Kai.
Megan: I need more Kai.
Steph: His book two is Kai's and it's-
Megan: I need more Kai.
Steph: Kai is-
Megan: Kai's my guy.
Steph: Kai is so good.
Steph: Kai and Dante trade punches at the Vahalla Club and he is surprised by Dante being engaged. And then he learns it's an arrangement. He's like, oh, that makes more sense. You would never marry for love. And I'm just like, this is like their closest guy friend who's like, one I've never heard of, like you talk about this girl. She's beautiful, kind, all of these things. Like why the fuck is she with you? He's like, well, it's for like business. Oh, that makes way more sons. Okay, I get that. But also I, you know.
Megan: To be fair, there is a friend of my husband's that like we all know will never get married and have children. Like he's just like, he's made it very clear. He's like, I'm never doing that. So if he ever came around and was getting engaged, I'd be like, who's threatening you? What is happening?
Steph: Like what's going on?
Steph: Tell me.
Megan: Cause I'm like, you are never getting married, dude.
Megan: Like it has to be against your will.
Steph: So yes, that's what's happening. And Dante is determined to dislike Vivian, even though Kai goes on and on about how wonderful she is. But then at the same time, every time Kai says Vivian's name, it pisses Dante off. And I was like, are you a tad bit possessive already? Cause if so, I am here for this. Possessive in book boyfriends is perfection. Possessive in real men, not okay. No, no, no, no, no.
Megan: It's so fun.
Megan: So when Vivian's friend group, Isabella and Sloan, learn of Vivian's engagement.
I love them so much. They're immediately suspicious cause they're just like, what, wait, what? You are engaged to this guy, but you haven't spoken to him since the engagement. And they also are just like, why would you even agree to an arranged marriage? And we're like, same girl, same. Thank you for being the voice of reason in this crazy fucked up situation. Like, girl, and that's when we start to see the serious impact that Vivian's family has on her life and like their tentacles are like ingrained in her brain of just like, the control is insane. And she just is like willing to bend her parents' like wishes, even if she disagrees with them. And I'm like, oh my God, come on. Like I'm here, I'm with you, Sloan. I'm with you Isabella, like what the fuck?
Megan: So basically she explains to them, arranged marriages are expected in my family and blah, blah, blah. Like tells about her sister being married to an Earl and blah, blah, blah. And they're just like, okay, but we don't care. Like, why are you doing this? Like, what would happen if you broke off the engagement? She's like, oh, then my parents would never speak to me or see me again. I'm like, okay, that's definitely some foreshadowing of what's going to happen later. Not good. So Vivian feels an enormous amount of debt for everything her parents have ever given her. And I'm like, this is called guilt and gaslighting you and all this stuff. And she has to repay them, of course, by marrying well. The family's wealth and influence can grow. Very obvious. Parents only care about social status. Don't really care about her as a person. It's the feeling we're getting.
Megan: Shitty parents, right?
Steph: Shitty parents.
Steph: And I also was like, I think it's a generational thing. You and I have talked about this before. I think it's why we love books that kind of feature this, because I think our generation really can relate to it and grew up.
Megan: Needless to say, we're getting a little therapy through Vivian, but also we want to scream and shout at Vivian, shake her and be like, stop it. Fuck the patriarchy. Fuck the family. Shit, just do you. Her friend Sloane, which I love, suggests that Vivian just shows up at this art exhibition that's at Dante's house tonight. She's like, you're going to move in with him soon. That's going to be your house. Why not just go early and check it all out? And her other friend Isabella is like, yeah, you should fucking do that. This is a great idea. And Urges her to consider it a preview. And like, you can't move in until you talk to him. It just makes sense. It's science. I'm like, yeah, you got to let friends push you outside of your… Yeah, we don't make the rules. We just push our friends outside of their comfort zones and say, go do that shit. Go do it. What's the worst that could happen?
Megan: He says, no.
Steph: He gets mad.
Megan: He gets mad.
Megan: He'll be like, well, she doesn't have it yet, but she'll have it soon.
Steph: But also a big broody man who's grumpy all the time is more grumpy.
Megan: Oh, big shocker.
Steph: Big shocker there, right?
Steph: So and that's exactly how Vivian ends up going to Dante's party, uninvited and alone. So Isabelle and Selena are like, you should go. We can't go with you. Sorry. Which I was like, well, that's rude.
Megan: Come on, back a sister up if you're going to do this, which I 100% wouldn't have.
Megan: I'd be like, I will drive you there myself.
Megan: Let's go.
Steph: But that's what I love that she still went. So she gets there and she's not on the guest list. She's like, but I'm his fiance and the security is like, not on the list. Thankfully Kai shows up and he's like, oh, plays along. Well, Dante was trying to like text you, I'll bring you in. You'll be my plus one. I was like, this is going to go real well. And then Kai tries to downplay Vivian like, oh, I'm sure it was like an oversight that your name wasn't on the list. And I'm like, we have not known Dante for very long on this book, but that man does not miss a detail. This was 1000% intentional that he did not invite her or did not put her on the list. And then Kai also, which is another reason I love Kai, he's like, I kind of like that you don't think Dante walks on water. You could be good for him. And I'm like, yes, she could Kai.
Steph: So when Dante sees her at the party across the room, it's kind of like it reminded me back in college, if you saw like your ex at a party and like you guys like across the room and you like lock eyes and you're like, fucking why are you here? That's what I thought of. He's not pleased. The grumpy man is grumpy, which starts some back and forth bickering and their banter is pure gold throughout this entire book.
Megan: Like there is such a different like version of her too, that he's like, yes.
Megan: What?
Megan: He's like, where is the Chanel and the tweet and the pearls girlfriend?
Steph: Like I like this.
Megan: I like what I'm seeing and what I'm hearing.
Megan: But I'm not going to tell you that I like it.
Steph: No, I'm going to pretend I hate it.
Steph: And it's infuriating to Vivian that Dante can almost see right through her. And he calls out very quickly about how she cares too much about other people's opinions. And then she comes back at him about how he cares about his reputation. And this starts a war between the two of them that I'm like, God, I love mutual self-destruction.
Megan: It's going to be so good.
Steph: This is going to be so good.
Megan: Such good hate sex.
Steph: It's exactly what I thought.
Steph: I was like, we're going to get hate sex at some point.
Megan: Love it.
Megan: Love it.
Steph: Like then love between love and hate.
Megan: And then when Vivian moves in, she's surprised to learn that they're actually going to have separate rooms until they're married, which I'm like, okay, what's the point? You know, like really? Mommy and daddy aren't there to like make sure you're staying true. You're fine. Whatever. Right.
Megan: But she did assume that they would perhaps need to share a bed to make sure like one of them doesn't try and get out of their arranged marriage. But he's like, whatever, like my staff prides themselves on their discretion. They're not going to tell anybody that we're sleeping in two different rooms. Like it's fine. And he lays down those boundaries. He's like, number one, we will play the part of a loving couple in public. And number two, you're going to have full access to the Russo group of portfolio brands. So, you know, do whatever you want. Oh, and here's my black AmEx for you. And I'm like, yes, please give me. Give me, give me, give me. And he's like, number three, here's your engagement ring. It's on the dresser next to your bed. I'm like, wow, that's romantic. Holy shit. Like, come on. Which also I'm like, that's actually a good strategy for him to set up expectations of like, get all romantic notions out of your head because happily a rafter is not going to happen with me. Like, he's proposing to her and giving her an engagement ring on her nightstand.
Steph: Against his will.
Megan: Against his will, yes.
Megan: So he's not thrilled again about having her around. But his staff is like in love with her already. Like, Greta, his like main housekeeper lady, she's like, oh, I like her. And he's like, I'm going to fire you. I'm going to fire you for saying that. She's like, no, you won't.
Steph: And he's like, I raised you.
Megan: I won't.
Megan: He's like, you know, I won't do it, but I'm mad about it. So what happens as soon as Vivian gets engaged? Well, the universe and Mercury apparently is in retrograde and decides to come against her. And the ex-boyfriend pops up with a, hey, you up text kind of a thing, you know? I'm like, why?
Steph: Why?
Steph: Why?
Megan: Why does that always seem to happen?
Megan: The ex is just popping up at the most inconvenient, random times. And it's like, do they just know that you're happy and they want to come in and just like, mess shit up?
Steph: I think so.
Megan: I think so.
Megan: Like a flare goes out to the world and they just know like, oh no, my ex girlfriend is. I must invade. So this bitch, I'm calling him a bitch cause he really is a little bitch.
Steph: Heath is the worst.
Megan: Heath, not Heathcliff, who is also kind of a bitch. Like let's be real, Wuthering Heights, we love him, but we hate him. Different. So Heath is clearly still interested in her and literally suggests that they can revisit their relationship now that his company is about to have an IPO, they're about to go public. He's like, your parents said I wasn't good enough for you back in the day and I couldn't marry you. So, you know, now that I'm becoming rich, like that'll change everything. But Vivian's like, no, you clearly didn't know my parents. Like they don't want her to marry into money, in a sense, like they do, but they want her to marry into old money, not new money, because they themselves are new money. But the old money brings status, which is something new money can never buy. It's like the Great Gatsby, you know? You got the old money versus the new money. You can never force your way in. So Vivian tells Heath right away, she's like, hold up, I'm engaged, sorry, crickets.
Megan: You get the dot dot dot in the text and it disappears, dot dot dot disappears.
Steph: And then nothing.
Megan: But we know that's not the last of him.
Megan: Like, it is never the last of the ex-boyfriend.
Megan: That bitch is going to come back.
Steph: It's like a whack-a-mole.
Megan: It's like, get out of here, get out of here. And I feel for her because she did everything right. She's like, I'm sorry, I'm not available, I'm engaged. I mean, she should have honestly blocked him. That's the thing. I was like, yes.
Steph: I think he still would have found a way. The other thing is I feel like it's hard for her because she did love him. She didn't want to necessarily break off their relationship. Her parents made her do it. So I think that-
Megan: Which again, you're like-
Steph: But then she's stuck with Dante, who's like what her parents want and not very nice to her at this point.
Steph: No.
Steph: So later that night, so we've moved in, we've gotten our engagement ring in the least romantic way possible. The ex-boyfriend has popped up and now we have to have dinner with Dante. And she's like, so what are the rules when we're in private? Like you went over in public. She's like, because she's like, are we going to have dinner together? We're going to talk about our day. Like, are we going to be cordial? And he cares more about insulting her than legitimately anything else. And he brings up, oh, by the way, I'll be gone for a month on a business trip. And I could be gone for a whole year and you'll still marry me because you'll do whatever your parents want. And I was like, oh, fight words. Fighting words. It's so easy at that point to really hate him because he is a super big asshole to her.
Steph: So she's just living her life in New York by herself, switching up his apartment. We have some monogrammed towels, flowers.
Megan: I love that he is like so neurotic about having his candles be six inches apart.
Megan: And she's just like, half an inch here, half an inch here, move that, move that.
Megan: I'm like, that is devious and I love it.
Steph: I loved it.
Steph: So when he gets back a month later, Vivian's putting her touches right, like all throughout the apartment. They also have this engagement photo shoot in Central Park where they have to pretend to be in love. Instead, they're like holding each other and bickering quietly so the photographer can't hear them. Like smile, I hate you, smile, I hate you.
Megan: It's like, I can murder you in your sleep.
Megan: Oh, honey, I hate you.
Steph: That's so sweet.
Steph: And then the photographer insists that they kiss because you have to have a kissing photo for engagement shots, right? Yes. So they do. And they both like it. Which I was like, okay. And he doesn't stop kissing her until the photographer's like, yeah, we've got the shot. I'm like, no, shut your mouth, keep taking your photos or just let them continue and pack up. I don't care.
Megan: But it was so weird.
Megan: They made such a big deal about the kissing.They're like, oh, we don't do PDA. The photographer's like, there's no one here. What are we gonna do in front of a third party? It's like, okay. It's just so funny.
Megan: I was just like, oh my god.
Steph: Because I think they both knew once they kissed, it was gonna be hot, yes.
Steph: So we get some little hot and steamy, like a little fizzle. And then we get grumpy Dante back again. But then we get this moment where they start sharing stories about growing up and these various weird places that they would eat as kids, including this amazing $2 milkshake place that Dante went to, which comes up later in the book too. And then Vivian calls him out about his control freak nature. And you mentioned the example of the candles. He's also weird about his food touching.
Megan: Like a toddler.
Steph: Yes, which she with later.
Steph: And I absolutely loved it because I was like, that's the type of deviousness if you wanna get at someone and really mess with them, that works. And then she talks about why she went into event planning rather than the family business. And then Dante is like, oh, by the way, my parents wanna meet you. We'll be spending Thanksgiving with them in Bali. And she was like, it's kind of like how he delivers news, right? Here's your engagement ring. We're going to Bali for Thanksgiving. There will be no further discussions. And she was like, I can't go to Bali for Thanksgiving. No, Megan, she does not.
Megan: I'm getting no sick.
Steph: No, sorry.
Steph: She was like, I can't go for Thanksgiving. And he was like, I don't understand. Everyone wants to go to Bali. And she was like, okay. But her point was like, Dante, you can't make these decisions for both of us. Like you need to talk to me. You're not my boss. And then, I was so angry at this point. He mentions how he paid for her shoes and her flowers so he could tell her what to do. And I was like, and we're back to asshole Dante. We got a glimpse that he might be a human with a kiss. Then we got grumpy Dante. Then we got a glimpse of the milkshakes and stuff that he, like stories that he might be a human and have a heart. And now we're back to, now we're back to asshole.
Megan: Yeah. He's like, oh, you spent a hundred thousand dollars on my black AmEx. I think I do own you. Which now I love like what she does next. Writes him a fucking check and is like, here you go. I pay for this myself.
Steph: I make my own money.
Megan: Yeah.
Megan: And I was like, yes, Queen, love it. But just when we think things are getting okay, fucking the bitch ass, Heath, ex-boyfriend, shows up. I'm like, are you stalking, sir? Like, what the fuck? And he literally is like, oh, I remember that you like to come to this flea market. And I just decided to pop over. I'm like, bitch, you live in San Francisco. You don't just pop over here. Like, come on. That is an intentional, like, seven-hour flight, like, shut up. But he's supposedly there for work. I'm like, how convenient that you had work, right? Before you texted me, like, hmm. But, you know, nuance. So he brings up this engagement and he's like, huh, OK. So I guess it's true. You really have a ring. You're really engaged. He's like, wins the wedding and like starts asking me, like, how did you meet this dude? Like, wanting to know all the information.
Megan: Does not take long, honestly, for him to realize that it's an arranged marriage because he knows her parents and he's like, I couldn't see how you would actually choose someone like Dante. And he reiterates that, like, Vivian doesn't have to marry him. He's like, which I kind of do appreciate, you know, I'm like, true, true. But you are kind of trying to convince her to marry you. So like your motives aren't really like pure, you know, like not great. But again, true. Like you have your own career, you have your own money, like you can make your own decisions. So I do appreciate that he's trying to tell her these things. Sure. But she refuses to go against her family again. And she does ask him to leave. And I'm like, good girl. That's right. Tell him to go. And he's parting words are literally, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me. And I'm like, oh.
Steph: Did they teach that in like ex-boyfriend school?
Megan: I think they did because literally, I had an ex-boyfriend say that something to me once when I was first dating my husband. And he was just like, all right, well, I'll just, you know, wait around till he's gone. And I was just like, this guy's not going anywhere. Like, I'm marrying this guy. And I was just like, how do they know to say these weird things?
Steph: They're taught, Megan.
Steph: It's a class.
Megan:Taught in the evil ex-boyfriend world.
Megan: Yeah. He literally was like, I'll wait. And I'm like, well, I've been with this guy for 15 years. You're still waiting. So see ya. Like, bye.
Megan: Anyway, so now we are at Dante and Vivian's engagement party, and we finally get to meet Christian Harper, the CEO of an elite private security firm that does all kinds of horrible things for Dante. And honestly, should not be trusted because he's just a douche. So he has been tasked with finding all of the photos of Luca and the Mafia princess and has to destroy all of them. He also really enjoys riling Dante up for fun, which I understand because it is fun to rile up Dante. Like he, it's easy. It's so easy to do. And it's like, why not? It's fun. So Dante and Vivian also agree now to a truce at the party, but Dante has slightly more nefarious reasons for that.
Megan: And we're like, mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Megan: What you doing, buddy? He's like, you want to have, well, so Christian later will be like, do you want to have her dad's head on a platter? Metaphorically speaking. Or do you want to have Vivian? And Dante's like, both. Both. Later. He's like.
Steph: So later that night, Vivian goes to eat a late night snack and runs into Dante in the kitchen. And there is like definite sexual tension because they're both checking out what each other is wearing. They also, okay, bond over the oddest food choices that I've read in my entire life. Soy sauce on ice cream. Oh, I can't. I want to try it.
Megan: No, no.
Steph: Pringles, pickles and pudding.
Steph: All three are delicious.
Steph: Together, no.
Megan: No.
Megan: I can understand the pringles and the pickles. I'm like, okay, you got me here. But the chocolate pudding?
Steph: I can't.
Steph: No.
Megan: No, but the soy sauce on the vanilla ice cream, I'm like, that is a crime?
Steph: What if we get our kids to try it? Hey, I read about this. It's really cool. Let's see what happens.
Megan: Let's see what happens.
Megan: Okay, well now I'm going to do it.
Megan: So that's fine.
Steph: I might do it too.
Steph: We'll film it.
Steph: It'll be great.
Megan: It'll be fine. It'll be fine. But then we have to try it too. And I don't want to do that.
Steph: I can't eat ice cream.
Steph: I'm dairy free.
Megan: I think I'm sure we can find some dairy-free.
Steph: I have coconut ice cream.
Steph: Okay.
Steph: Soy sauce.
Steph: Then there's this conversation about Luca. And then Dante focuses on a dream husband list. So Vivian mentioned earlier when she was poking the billionaire about how she, you know, like, you're not even on my dream husband list. And he's like, well, who is? Tell me. And he brings it up again. And so finally she's like, okay, it's like these guys. And he's jealous about it. And they're all like soccer players or like people that live in Europe. And he's like, well, this one's married. These guys live in Europe. Like, they're not real. And I'm like, dude, this is why it's called a dream husband list. Yeah.
Megan: Like, this isn't a if I get a chance to do something and I'm going to meet up with them list. It's like, no, there's literally like it's it's for fun.
Steph: Correct.
Megan: It's like when you write down like Mrs.
Megan: blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Steph: It's like like Mrs. Brad Pitt.
Steph: I was like convinced in the 90s.
Steph: Right.
Megan: I'm Mrs.
Megan: David Beckham, right? I'd be like writing this down. They're like, I want to marry David Beckham. It's like, okay, well, good luck with that. Because I think he's occupied and taken.
Steph: Correct.
Steph: Like for a long time.
Steph: For a long time.
Steph: So then they have to have their society debut because their engagement party was not an official debut.
Megan: No, of course not.
Steph: So they go to this annual fall costume gala. And surprisingly, they're like really a great pair, like socializing at events. They kind of finish each other's sentences. They're able to like know when the other wants to leave a conversation. But Vivian dares to chat with Kai again. And she dares to laugh at his jokes. And Dante doesn't even find how dare. Kai is not even funny, Megan.
Megan: Yes, he is.
Steph: He's hilarious.
Megan: The sexy British accent.
Megan: He's not funny at all.
Steph: I'm like, I mean, you guys, he translates books into Latin for fun.
Steph: Like, you give me like the nerdy British billionaire, and I'm like, hello, wet panties for days.
Megan: Hello.
Steph: Correct.
Steph: Hello.
Megan: Oh, so hot in here.
Megan: So hot in here.
Steph: I know.
Megan: I mean, sorry, Dante, I still love you.
Megan: We got our Dante coming up.
Steph: I do love Dante.
Steph: But I'm like, Kai, I'm very interested. It's Vivian, you could do no wrong right now. And then he basically like comes over and like puts his arm around her and stuff. And she's like, are you just like marking your territory?
Megan: She's just peeing a circle around me, dude.
Steph: Like, exactly.
Steph: And he's like, Kai, thank you for keeping my fiancee company.And I'm just like, you don't even want to go here. You don't want to marry her. Like, but no one else can talk to her. And I was like, do you belong to the ex-boyfriend club? I don't really want you, but I don't want anyone else to have you.
Megan: Yes. He needs a lesson in sharing your toys. He's like, that's my toy. I'm not playing with it. I don't want to play with it, but it's mine. You can't have it. You can't even look at it.
Steph: Don't look at it.
Steph: Don't even think about it.
Steph: I'll know if you're thinking about it.
Megan: Oh my gosh, Dante.
Steph: So then he's like, I need to give Vivian a tour of the club.
Steph: And he stops in like this library.
Megan: I imagine like a Beauty and the Beast library.
Steph: I did too. You're like, what?
Steph: You see the library a lot in Kai's book. Things get really steamy when Vivian pokes at Dante about how much she likes Kai's accent. And I was like, I mean, same girl. And then he makes it clear that no one gets to touch what's his. And I'm like, possessive Dante, love it. And then we finally get a spicy scene where he fingerfucks her in the library, which I'm...
Megan: Is that him marking his toy?
Steph: I feel like it is. Yes, it was very much him writing his name on his toy. Like in Toy Story style where you're like Woody, is it like Andy's name's on the bottom of Woody's shoe. He used his finger inside her vagina to do it.
Megan: Woo, he's like, this is Dante's Inferno now, bitch, woo.
Steph: Correct.
Megan: You're like, okay.
Steph: So that after she orgasms, he comments how she's one of his investments and he always takes those seriously.
Steph: And I was like, I don't know if I should be angry or turned on by this comment.
Megan: I know, like, this is perplexing.
Megan: This is quite perplexing.
Megan: I don't know, I like it, but I'm also like, you can't own me, but you just like...
Steph: Owned me?
Steph: I know.
Megan: Oh, I don't know how I feel.
Megan: It's hard decision.
Megan: So what do we do next?
Megan: We try and, you know, move on with our minds. And Vivian gets a major opportunity because Buffy Darlington calls her and says, hello, darling, would you please host the upcoming Legacy Bowl? That's how she sounds in my mind.
Steph: Same.
Megan: Because the previous hostess had a major scandal. Think of like Schitt's Creek, like FBI comes and raids your whole house. That's what happened to the previous lady. So this is a huge opportunity for Vivian. But her excitement is short lived because then she is looking at some jewelry pieces and like she's at the store and Luca is like one of the salesmen. He's like, hey, how are you doing? Like this piece would look so beautiful on you. And she's like, OK, wrap it up and like signs her name. And they're just chit chat and then all of a sudden, I hate this part because it like makes me freak out. Robbers come in there and hold the store up at gunpoint. They're like, everything in the bag.
Steph: Get down.
Megan: Like Bonnie and Clyde shit going on in here, minus the Bonnie part, just Clyde. And unlike every other employee, Vivian starts panicking and like has like fight or flight, but it's just like freeze. She's like, oh, oh my God, oh my God, what do I do? What do I do? And like, she's not getting down to the ground, like the robbers are telling her to do. And like one of the guys comes up and like literally points like a gun under her chin and is like, listen, bitch. And she's just like, oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck. And then it like changes scenes and you're like, oh.
Steph: I was like, what is happening?
Megan: I was like, what?
Megan: What happened?
Steph: What happened?
Steph: I was like, is this the mafia?
Steph: Do they know about Luca?
Megan: I know. I was like, oh shit. Because like, of course, the chance is like, Luca is there. I'm like, right. So then we get interrupted in our minds because Dante is now like getting a phone call. He's like, oh, this better be important. And he's like, guys like, well, I mean, yeah, it's pretty important. Like there was a robbery. And you know, he tells his head of security, he's like, okay, take care of it. Take care of our robbers like you usually do. But then when he finds out what happened to Vivian, he's like, whoever held her at gunpoint, you hold that bitch aside for me and I'm gonna take that one personally. And you're like, oh boy, oh boy. Like daddy's getting angry. And then he does something super unexpected. He was out of town for a major deal. He calls up his assistant, he's like, push the deal up in 30 minutes. I'm taking care of this now. And then I'm flying home early to see Vivian. And I'm like, someone's caught feelings. Someone has caught some feelings. And daddy is going to be angry and spank some people.
Steph: Punch them.
Megan: Yes.
Megan: I was like, ugh.
Steph: Yes.
Steph: So at home, Vivian is a little PTSD and freaks out when she's like inside the house. Here's a door slam. Because Dante, of course, cannot bother to text or call and let her know he's- This is bad.
Megan: Cause now you're like freaking her out. I'm like, dude, she was just held at gunpoint.
Megan: What the fuck?
Steph: Which is why he almost got a base thrown at him, which he would have deserved.
Megan: He would have, 100%.
Megan: Yeah.
Steph: And so, but she ends up breaking down his arms. And then later he does beat the shit out of the guy who held her at gunpoint because no one threatens what was mine.
Megan: Which that dude was asking for it.
Megan: He was still just like, oh, I want to see her blood and blah, blah, blah.
Megan: I'm like, you idiot.
Steph: You're lucky you're not dead.
Megan: You have no advantage here.
Megan: Like, why would you say these things?
Megan: Why?
Steph: Because they're usually stupid.
Megan: They're stupid.
Steph: The criminals are usually stupid. He also brings her food later, suggests she speak with one of the company's therapists, and then he starts to realize he feels differently when he looks at her. I was like, yes, yes. But then it's time for Thanksgiving in Bali. I, that sounds magical to me. Yes, please. Take me.
Megan: Do you want to go to Bali?
Megan: Want to go to Bali for Thanksgiving next year?
Megan: Let's do it.
Steph: Literally, yes.
Megan: Let's go.
Steph: Anywhere about the Midwest.
Steph: So his parents gave me some major Meet the Fockers vibes. So if you've watched that movie, that's all I could think of. I could not give it up. So Dante's mother, or Janice, as she prefers to be called, is delighted to meet Vivian, and she's even spruced up the guest room for them. With red rose petals on the floor, chilled champagne on ice, a box of chocolates, condoms, and a swan towels alongside a couple portrait of the two of them, hanging on the wall with a congratulations thing. And all I thought was, what is more awkward? What the? What the is happening? Like, I'm sorry. I don't care if you know that I'm going to have sex with like my fiance in this situation. I don't want you to prep the room for me. Like, there is a line too far, Janice.
Megan: Unless we're at the cabin in the summer, to this part.
Steph: But that's different, because that room is...
Megan: That's a different, I want that cabin.
Steph: That room is prepped.
Megan: That's fine.
Steph: Like, by the cabin people, not like your future mother-in-law.
Megan: No, but again, it's meet the.
Megan: She's like, or she's like the mom from Mean Girls, like, do you need a condom? Let me know. If you run out, let me know.
Steph: I got you.
Steph: I love that you're all for, like, safe sex. It's all good. I love that. I love that you want to make this sweet for them. I do, I do. There is just a line.
Megan: There's a line. Also, the fact that she like fucking downloaded one of their portraits and had it printed and hung up on a canvas. I'm like, that's some crazy up shit. I just imagine it was super large.
Megan: Like, do you know what I mean?
Steph: Like, staring down at them.
Steph: Like, you have to stare up at yourself.
Megan: She went on Facebook and like right clicked it and saved photo as and then like did it. I'm just like, oh dear God.
Steph: Went to Shutterfly, uploaded it. So like, I'm sorry, as you're fucking, you can look at yourselves. Like, I don't, like, what? It could be worse, though, Megan. It could have been, it could have been of his mom and dad. They could have hung like themselves.
Megan: Oh no, that would have been so bad.
Steph: Like if you want to be helpful, hang a large mirror.
Steph: Like, seriously, sex toys, right?
Megan: Well, but like, maybe not.
Steph: Well, maybe not.
Megan: Still, not a picture of myself.
Steph: I don't like, I don't know.
Steph: I'm sorry.
Steph: I don't want my parents, my parent-in-laws, any of those people to like, no.
Megan: Oh my God, I'm crying.
Steph: It's kind of like after you get married and like people see you the next day, they're like, how was last night? And like, how awkward is that? That's when we start asking you like randomly, do you have sex last night?
Megan: Was it good?
Steph: Yes.
Steph: No.
Megan: What did you hear?
Steph: It's just, but the best part of all of this, minus crazy Janice, who I do love, is that we get a one bed trope. Usually when we get one bed tropes, they're for one night. This is five nights. So I had to have high expectations. I was like five nights of a one bed trope. That's very Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn-esque. And I was like, that was well done.
Megan: So, I loved it.
Megan: So, of course Janice and Gianni, being the absent parents that they are, suddenly they're like, we want to know everything about relationship. Tell me all the details. Which then leads to Vivian creating a very hilarious and untrue story about how they got engaged in Central Park. You know, they obviously don't want to share that it's an arranged marriage, but like, there is a very funny creative story telling here where she's like, oh yeah, like the swan came up and like ate the ring and then Dante had like chase after it. And I was just like, again, giving very big till summer to us part like commentary here. I'm just saying.
Megan: So, there's a moment though, when Janice mentions how she always assumed that Dante would want dot dot dot and trails off looking at Vivian's ring. And we're like, what, what, what? It gives us a little clue like maybe there's a family heirloom or something like ring that like Janice had always expected to give to his future bride. We're like, hmm, what is this? Yeah. So, but we also learned that Dante's parents are fairly self-absorbed. Yeah. I'd say 100 percent. And they pretty much just like choose themselves all the time and their wants and needs over their children's. In fact, they actually left Dante and Luca with their grandfather to be his guardian to raise them. And it's just like, are you, are you fucking kidding me? They literally talked about how like, well, we tried, we tried. And then it was just too much for us to have two children. And I'm like, listen, I get it. I've got three kids. It is a lot. It, it is a lot. But I would never dump my kids off with like the grandparents and be like, you raise them.
Megan: I want to go travel and live my life. Like, right? Like, what does that? But that's what his parents did. So I'm like, this is fucked up. So basically Dante is just like, yeah, the only reason I'm even here alive is because like my grandfather really wanted an heir. So he's like, okay, they got their heir to like the kingdom, if you will. But Luca was unplanned and you know, raising two gays is too much. And we're just like, fuck you guys. Just fuck you. You suck so much. And Dante is just later like, you know what? Just don't worry about my parents. They act like they're the best because they like literally show, they're Disneyland parents, you know, like they show up and they're like, hi, look what we have. We want to be a part of your life, blah, blah, blah. But once shit gets hard, they're like, no, we're going to go move to Bali, see you.
Steph: I call that Facebook grandparents when they're like, oh, everyone's here for a photo.
Steph: I gotta post the photo on Facebook.
Steph: And then like they spend the rest of the time ignoring the children.
Megan: Correct. On their phone the whole time. I'm like, your grandkids right here. Just, no, you want me on your phone? Okay, okay. Cool.
Steph: Phone's down, Megan, phone's down.
Megan: Phone's down.
Megan: As my youngest daughter, Lily would say, phone down, phone down. And I'm like, yes ma'am. I don't even have my phone in my hand and she's yelling me, phone's down. And I'm like, what are you talking about? Also, I'm like, you're being cute right now. I have to take a picture. It's so cute. Gotta save it.
Megan: So anyway, after a few days of all of this craziness, Janice then comments to Vivian about how much she likes, how different Dante is around her. And I'm like, but how would you really know how Dante is? I'm like, you're just not around. But she's like, he's less uptight around you. And I'm like, yes, he is somehow. Like this magical, crystal, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, rod up his ass seems to be loosened a bit, tiny bit.
Steph: Not removed yet, though.
Megan: Not removed, it's just loosened.
Megan: So Janice then also mentions how she was skeptical about the engagement at first, assuming that Dante would marry for business. And you're like, oh, oh, not that. She's like, but I see the way he looks at you, Vivian. And she's like, what, what? She's like, it's like he never wants to look away. And she's like, can I just know it's not about business? And I'm like, but, but it is, but it isn't, but it is.
Steph: But it is.
Megan: What's in the water at Bali is what I want to know.
Steph: Let's go find out.
Steph: Right? So, meanwhile, Dante's been staying up late and coming to bed after Vivian's asleep for the past three nights, and then leaving before she wakes up because he doesn't have that option tonight. And I was like, all I thought was one bed trope, work your magic, please work your magic.
Megan: Round the rose petals.
Steph: Exactly.
Steph: But first let's talk about Vivian's childhood, how much her family has changed after her father's business took off. It's one of the few times that we start to see Dante realize that how different she is from her family, specifically her father. And then we get a spicy scene, because the one bed trope does work its magic. Thank you to the one bed trope gods. Dante goes down on Vivian, and she is like ready for more. And then he tells her to get some rest. And I was like, excuse me? We're in Bali, we're engaged. We have a one bed trope. Your mom has created like a sexual palace apparently. And that's all I get? I'm hot and ready for you.
Megan: I'm hot and ready for you. Your tongue was just thrusting in me. Your fingers are thrusting inside of me. And now you hang me dirty.
Steph: Rude.
Steph: Like, no.
Megan: No excuse.
Steph: Because in his mind, he's like, he can't have Vivian and destroy his father. He can't have both. So he goes and takes a cold shower. And I was like, same, I need a cold shower. That was rude. So back in New York, Dante is letting Kai kick his ass in boxing.
Megan: Good.
Steph: Because he, I mean, he just deserved it. And he admits that he kissed Vivian, but he doesn't tell Kai anything else. And Kai's like, I'm glad to see you're mixing business with pleasure. And I was like, Kai, you need to make some business and pleasure.
Megan: It was really funny because Kai's like, God forbid you kiss your fiance.
Steph: Like, ooh.
Steph: Ooh.
Steph: Because Dante's acting like it's like the end of the world, you like kissed her.
Megan: I kissed her.
Steph: You're gonna have to. You're gonna marry her. What do you think happens after I pronounce you man and wife? You kiss her in front of people. A nice firm handshake. Also, I assume you're gonna want an heir to your empire, just like your grandfather did.
Steph: How do you think that's happening, Dante?
Megan: Oh, IVF.
Steph: Well, I guess that's possible.
Megan: Just be like, eh, you don't actually have to do anything.
Megan: That's no fun.
Steph: No, but I'm pretty sure.
Steph: Exactly, and you like each other.
Steph: But I'm pretty sure Kai's been rooting for the two of them this entire time. I feel like he's kind of like sitting back going like, he, he, he. I know when to poke the billionaire. So when Dante gets home, he looks like shit. Cause Kai has beaten the shit out of him. Vivian goes into caretaker mode and he's like, it's helping clean up his like cuts and everything. And then Dante has her give him one kiss for each injury. And I was like, that's super sweet.
Megan: That's so sweet, but so confusing.
Steph: So confusing.
Steph: Cause then she brings up Bali. She's like, we should talk about it. You were right to stop things. And she's like, it's kind of like when you're like, we shouldn't do this again, right? And you don't want them to say, you're right. We shouldn't do this again. You want to be like, no, we should. Yeah. And he was, she's like, it was a mistake, right? And he's like, yeah. I'm like, no, Dante, that's not what we say.
Megan: No, no, no.
Megan: Wrong answer.
Steph: Wrong answer.
Steph: You're the one that stopped it.
Steph: So she's the one that's worried that like, this was all in her head. So you're the one that's supposed to go, it wasn't a mistake. I wanted to do that. I wanted to do more Vivian. That's what you're supposed to say. Exactly. That's not what he did.
Megan: Do you know what?
Megan: He gets what's coming to him.
Megan: I feel like in a sense, because I'm like, you can't play these games and then get mad when somebody else comes around.
Steph: Comes in.
Megan: So now it's after the New Year.
Megan: We kind of like sped things up a bit.
Megan: Vivian receives gorgeous, gorgeous flowers, like beautiful red roses and a card that says, I thought about you at midnight at New Year's. And it's signed and it says, Love, Heath. And then he says, PS, I'm still here if you change your mind. And you're just like, this motherfucker is a stalker, is a stalker, and is not taking the hint. Like she said, no, she said no. She said, I'm engaged. You gotta go stop it. And she's at her office working, right? And she's with her bestie, Isabel. And Isabel is like, oh shit, I can't believe he sent you flowers. And Dante happens to walk in and goes, who sent you flowers? And you're like, oh, oh, oh no, what's going to happen? And Isabel is like, I'm getting the fuck out of here, peace.
Steph: I got nowhere to be, bye.
Megan: She's like, wow, look at the time, bye. And it's like shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. And even like Vivian's like shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. I'm like, damn it. And Dante is not, not pleased to hear about any of this. And he's like, who the fuck is this bitch? And he's like demanding to know if Vivian still loves Heath because he's like, I am not going to have my fiance pining away after another guy before, during or after the wedding. Which honestly, I'm pissed off for Vivian. She's like, why the fuck not? She like stands up for herself and she's like, why would it matter? Cause you've told me time and time again, we are never going to live happily ever after. And this is just about business because it's just about business. Right? And he's just like, shut up, you know, he doesn't want to say anything.
Megan: And like Dante may have her, but he doesn't get to dictate how she feels or who she thinks about. And I'm like, damn right, girl. That's right. And what's more fascinating again is like this is happening in her office, which means Dante had to purposefully come to her place of work. And he brought some stuff with her. And like he's just like being a really shitty little pissy tantrum boy and like leaves. And then she looks to see what he brought. And it was takeout boxes from her favorite sushi restaurant. And it's like, what the fuck, dude? Talk about a mindfuck. He's like, I don't want you, but I want you. No one else can have you. But let me do something sweet and bring you lunch at work. And you're just like, god damn it. And just repeat.
Steph: But asshole, repeat.
Megan: But asshole, but no one else can send you flowers.
Steph: But I don't want you.
Steph: But let me kiss me.
Steph: This is business.
Megan: But this is business.
Steph: It's so hard.
Steph: Three weeks later, Dante and Vivian are still in the outs and he informs her through a conversation with Greta while Vivian is in the room, which it feels like when my kids fight.
Megan: Can you tell so and so that I'm saying so and so, but I'm not gonna tell them myself, even though they're right there and you're like, and they could hear it.
Steph: And I'm just like, he's gonna be leaving for DC, he's gonna be gone for a week. The best part is he doesn't even need to go to DC. He could do all this virtually. He just wants to get out of this uncomfortable situation that he in fact has created. And I was just like, that fills on brand. This is also where he visits Christian and DC, which felt like the right place for Christian to reside. It does, it really does. And he's been digging into Heath's company because Dante needs to deliver payback for Heath daring to speak to his ex-girlfriend. However, while he's with Christian, the butler calls Dante and is like, FYI, Vivian had a visitor. He stopped by. He was insistent on seeing her. They've been there. Like, it's been a little bit and Dante's furious. But the best part is like Dante's going to leave and go to New York, like fly home early and everything. And Christian is like, by the way, I did this because you apparently were nice or spoke to a woman that Christian liked.
Megan: And I'm like, he kissed her hand. Like, that's all he did. He was like, oh, like, nice to meet you. Kiss the hand. And Christian’s like, oh, you're going to pay for that. And it's like, what the fuck?
Steph: These are billionaire games.
Megan: The billionaire.
Megan: Oh, that'd be a good book.
Megan: The Billionaire Games.
Megan: Probably this book somewhere. But damn.
Steph: Right?
Megan: Could you imagine when they get into politics and the shit that they do then?
Steph: I can only.
Steph: That's why I'm like, Christian should be in DC.
Steph: I feel like there's horrible things that he's up to. So once Dante gets back to New York, he's furious about the situation, overhears Vivian reiterating to Heath. Like, I didn't text you. Heath doesn't believe her because at the time, we don't know that Christian sent the text to Heath, right? He begs her to wait until his IPO. Heath goes on and on about how he still loves her. Questions if she loves Dante, assuming that she doesn't based on the way that Vivian hesitates when she asks the question. Because at this point, she doesn't love him. I think she is intrigued and turned on by him, but like, how can you love the broody grumpy asshole? Yeah. And then Dante walks in the room and punches Heath because that, I mean, Heath deserved it. He did. He really did.
Megan: But I thought the same thing that Heath said.
Megan: If he was like, I'm going to sue you for assault.
Megan: And I'm like, good luck with that.
Steph: Good luck.
Steph: But also, I have more money than God.
Steph: And he makes it clear that Heath is to not talk to Vivian or even think about her or Dante will break every bone in his body. And then after he leaves, Vivian yells at Dante about how he can't act this way and demand to know what's between them is more than business. He struggles once again to answer the question because he doesn't know why he cares, just that he does and I'm like...
Megan: It's like the worst thing to say.
Steph: That's like, do you like me? I'm sure. I don't know. It's like a magic eight ball. Cloudy, try again. It's like, oh. He also hates the thought of other people touching her and loses control when he's around her. But then finally he says, you want to know the truth Vivian? If I loved you as much as he claims to love you, nothing would have stopped me from keeping you. And I was like, wait. Wait, what? Is this a confession? Are we even feeling expressed? Wait, are these real? Did I just hallucinate?
Megan: I know.
Megan: I'm like, am I having a fever dream?
Megan: What's happening here?
Steph: Right?
Steph: Because like you were so confusing. And then we get a spicy scene where they finally have sex and it's so good. And he refers to her as his wife, even though they're not married yet. And I was just like, damn, I like.
Megan: I can't wait to get to that spicy scene.
Steph: It was so good.
Megan: There's a fucking mirror. He chokes her a little bit and we are into it. And I'm just like, hold please. Hold shower, please.
Steph: Right?
Megan: Oh, yes.
Steph: It was so well done.
Megan: Thank you, Ana.
Megan: Thank you. Thank you.
Megan: So the next morning, Vivian tries to sneak out of his room, but Dante stops her. And I'm like, oh, OK.
Steph: Hi.
Megan: So he's just seen that they talk instead.
Megan: And I'm like, boom. And this leads to Vivian sharing what happened with Heath. And Dante wants to know if she no longer has feelings for Heath. Vivian like literally reiterates like that doesn't matter because like I'm engaged to you and like we're going to get married. And then that leads to Dante finally telling her how he's only cut work trips short twice ever and both are because of her. He's like, so no, it's not fucking business anymore. And we're like, yes, yes. Finally.
Megan: So then Vivian shares how she might have feelings for Dante, maybe. And then Dante declared that this is her room now. And he doesn't want her to have any more contact with Heath. And I'm like, yeah, same. Don't do that. But Vivian's like, okay, but you know what? You need to stop scowling so much because your face is gonna get stuck that way one day. But also like just stop scowling. Okay, like would it kill you to smile or just like smirk or whatever? And she's like, and no more disappearing for weeks at a time. You can't just like run off to Europe for a month. And she's like, and you're not allowed to just shut down when you're upset. Or like when you don't get your way. Like no temper tantrums, please. Also we need to go on a date once a week. And I'm like, that's a good idea. Because she's like, we may be engaged, but like we don't know each other. Like we need to actually date. Like let's be people. He's like, all right, agreed, sure, sexy time. So now he is almost a completely changed man, almost, not quite. Dante immediately is like, let's get dressed and go on a first date right now. It's like, what?
Megan: And so he takes her to the Moondust Diner, which is the same one that he told her about that he used to go to as a kid. And you know, they get the little milkshakes and stuff. And during their breakfast date, Vivian shares how the location for the Legacy Ball was flooded. And now she has to find a new one because Buffy Darlington needs to have the best in the world. Yes, darling. And she's like, but everything appears to be booked. And he's like, well, yeah, that makes sense. Like everything books out in New York real fast, months, years in advance. And he's like, what about Valhalla? Why don't you just host it there? She's like, I can't do that. And he's like, but I can. Like, oh, oh, daddy. Yes, daddy. He's like, I'm gonna ask them to host it. And it's like, oh, yay.
Steph: So later he makes a quick visit to see Heath and friends to fuck with his IPO if he doesn't stay away from Vivian. And so Heath is under the impression that Dante is going to leave him alone. No, cause then he calls Christian and tells him to kill Heath's IPO. Heath, you did deserve it.
Megan: He did, he did.
Steph: A month later, Vivian and Dante are en route to another date night, but he refuses to tell her where they're going. So she attempts to use the power of persuasion in the limo. This is the best limo scene I've ever read.
Megan: This is the, I feel like the Beyonce song of like, driver, roll up the partition, please.
Steph: Like, she ends up going down on him. He fucks her in the limo. And then he has her lick her cum off the seat while he her. And I was like, oh my God. But the best part is they're passing through security at Valhalla while this is all happening. And I'm like, oops. And then he has like the perfect date plan. He takes her into this room where he's created like a virtual galaxy for her to see the stars because she loves it so much. And I was like, what? So sweet. But we can't have like always good things. We know another problem. Vivian's parents come to town. They want to see them. It's super tense between Dante and her father.
Steph: And then Vivian also has to dress up like her mother again and lets her father order for her, even though she hates fish.
Steph: And afterwards, Dante's fuming.
Steph: Oh, the lamb, sorry.
Megan: Yeah, he's like, you have to have the lamb. This is a specialty here. You're gonna order it. And she goes, I'm so sorry. Yes, can I please change my order back to the lamb? Okay, thank you.
Steph: Ew.
Megan: You're like, right?
Steph: No, thank you.
Steph: Afterwards, Dante's fuming about how much Vivian lets her parents just do whatever they want, chastise her. And she admits to hating it, but she wants to keep the peace. Been there, girl. And she's like, I'm fine giving up some things temporarily if it keeps them happy. And I'm like, I'm sorry, your life and your marriage is not temporary. Like, what? And then Dante, we have to like snap back into asshole mode a little bit. He's like, is that why your father basically sold you both off in exchange for a rung up the social ladder? I mean, Dante, you're not wrong, but that was mean. That was mean.
Megan: It means we keep inside our head and we don't...
Steph:Those are inside thoughts.
Megan: Inside thoughts.
Steph: Yeah.
Steph: And that leaves them going to bed without kissing for the first time since they started dating. Oof, rough.
Megan: Yeah.
Steph: Rough, rough, rough.
Megan: Two days later though, Dante apologizes, which we're like, oh, did not expect that.
Steph: No.
Megan: Look at you.
Megan: Look at you growing and maturing a little.
Steph: Little bit.
Steph: Little bit.
Steph: But, you know, progress.
Megan: We'll take the progress, though. It's okay. He's like, he sees her as perfect, and if her parents can't see that, then it's their loss. And you're like, oh, okay. Now I'm like, is somebody going to therapy sessions? Good for you, boo. So three days later, he suggests they take a quick trip to Paris, because easy.
Steph: Always.
Megan: Fine.
Steph: Yes.
Megan: Okay. I'm only going there in a couple of days, so it's fine. I'm gonna do a quick trip to Paris. But Vivian is really worried about how she's going to manage that, because she's got her big event coming up. She's got the Legacy Ball. She's got to impress Buffy Darlington. Hello. Like, it's just, she's like, I can't just run off to Paris. And Dante is like, yes, you can. You're fine. Always. It's like, due to the time difference, it'll be fine. She agrees to go. She's like, I'm glad to do that. So while they're having this private dinner at the Eiffel Tower, Dante gets a call from Christian that he found all of the sets of the pictures that Vivian's father had because he got a little like info from Vivian that her dad likes the number eight because it's a lucky number. So he's like, he's got eight copies. We got a final eight. We only have five. Let's find the rest. Find some.
Megan: So then Dante makes the bad decision then to take Vivian's father down. He's like, even though he knows how much it's going to hurt Vivian and how it will literally destroy everything between them that they've built so far, he's just like, do it, take him down, take that bastard down. And I'm like, hell.
Steph: I know.
Megan: So he decides not to tell her about any of this.
Steph: Also poor choice.
Megan: Also poor choice. I'm like, bad idea. She would have understood. I mean, she would have asked him not to do it, but she would have understood. She would have appreciated the communication. But you know what he does instead? He decides to go down on her instead, which I'm like.
Steph: Well, I mean, thank you.
Megan: Thank you. And like, fuck her one more time in Paris. And I'm like, okay, that's okay. Okay, fine. Sure.
Megan: So then they go back to New York, and Dante starts to feel guilty. Obviously, it starts like push Vivian away, like literally transforming himself back into the cool asshole version of himself that he was before when they first got engaged. And Vivian's obviously getting very frustrated by this. She's like, what the fuck? Like, we just had like all this time together. And then Dante invites Christian and his girlfriend over for dinner without even telling her. And she's just like, what the fuck?
Steph: Not OK.
Megan: Not OK.
Megan: She overhears Dante and Christian speaking about the entire stunt that he pulled with Heath.And she is so pissed off. And she's just like, I cannot believe that you fucked with my friend, like, rightfully so, but still like, I can't believe you did that. And you're using me as a pond now between him and Christian. Like, this is not cool. Like, what the?
Steph: No.
Megan: So she's pissed.
Steph: She's pissed.
Steph: So then a couple of days later, she picks up lunch from the Mundo Steiner, which has those two hour milkshakes that Dante loves, takes it to his office. Unfortunately, he's available because her father is there. And they're discussing what Dante has done as retribution for his father, her father blackmailing him. And although Dante denies it, we all know it's true. His father claims that Vivian will never forgive Dante for what he's done. And then Dante says, You're assuming I care what she thinks. And my heart broke for her. And he reminds her father that he was the one that forced Dante into the arranged marriage and never willingly chose her as a fiance. And then Dante obviously continues the conversation. Vivian runs out of the office, leaves the food behind. When he gets done, he comes out and sees, learns from the secretary that Vivian was here and left the food behind. He leaves, he knows that she must have overheard them. Cancels the rest of his day. He finds her packing up her clothes. She claims to be doing what he wants.
Steph: Cause you like, if you listen to what he just said.
Megan: Yeah, you're like, you just said you don't care.
Megan: You don't care.
Steph: Correct.
Steph: And she's like, I'm doing what you want without you having to have a hard conversation with me. You never wanted me to be here. And this is where I was like, God, the mind fucking up this man is on point. And she shares how devastating it was to learn the truth about her father and like what kind of man he is and that her fiance was only with her because he was forced into it. That when she thought they were getting close, he secretly hated her. And my heart was just like, oh, did I cry? I did. Thankfully Dante does make it clear that he doesn't hate her. And he tells her about the blackmail. He apologizes for getting caught up in the mess, like her getting caught up. But then shoots himself in the foot. Well, once again, he goes, it was just business. And I'm like, I don't know why this country thinks that we can be assholes to people and say it's just business. I don't care. No. No.
Megan: Like personal life is personal.
Megan: There's no such thing as it's just business.
Megan: It's like, no, that means you're just an asshole.
Steph:Yeah.
Steph: It's just business.
Steph: You're just trying to excuse your shitty behavior.
Megan: Yes.
Megan: Yes.
Steph: No.
Megan: It's like, no, no, no, no.
Megan: So Vivian is now wandering around Central Park with her suitcase, and she ends up going to Sloan's apartment.
Steph: That would be me.
Steph: Like, what do I do?
Megan: Slobo, and she looks over and sees the swans, and she's like, oh, the swans story I made up.
Steph: I know, right?
Megan: Like, this is the place where we kissed, and there's where I ate that bagel, and, you know, just like a complete like pictures, Sarah, Jessica Parker, and again, like just like walking around crying about Mr. Big. But anyway, she goes to Sloan's, she's devastated, and Sloan's like, I'm gonna go beat that motherfucker up. I'm like, yes, Sloan, I love you.
Steph: Sloan is also not the person you go to for emotional support. Like, you know what I mean? Which is why she's there, I think. She's like, I, you aren't gonna ask questions. You're not gonna hold my hand. I just, I need to be left alone. Need a place to be, just to be.
Megan: She's like, I got you.
Megan: No worries.
Megan: Meanwhile, Dante isn't really doing any better and actually took time off of work, but you're like, oh, but what does he do? He doesn't do anything good. He drinks himself into oblivion. I'm like, oh no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Bad move. And Luca stops by and calls Dante out, unlike Vivian and potentially loving her. And that's when he finally realizes like, oh shit. Yeah, I do love her. I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Now get your ass sober and go find her. So then next, Vivian heads over to Boston to confront her dad about all the blackmailing.She's like, what the fuck? And her dad is like, what? It's just business. Something wrong with what I did.
Steph: I'm like, here we go again.
Megan: Seriously.
Megan: And she shares that like her engagement is over and she knows that their family company isn't doing well. I mean, thanks Dante. And that's when dear old dad tells her to get Dante to help them. He's like, you have to do this. She's like, you can make him see reason if you even try, if you try hard enough.
Megan: You have to do your job, your duty to your family.
Megan: All this crazy shit.
Steph: Are you basically telling her to go fuck him? Is that what you're saying? You suck to get… That's what it felt like.
Megan: That's what it felt like.
Megan: Do whatever you have to do.
Steph: Yes.
Megan: And she's like, no.
Megan: No.
Megan: Which I'm like, good girl. Good girl. You stand up for yourself. You say no. No to the patriarchy. Specifically to your father. No. Yeah. And her father is like, at that point pissed and threatens to cut her out of his life, cut her off. And like, if you don't do what I want, like, and you don't make amends, like, I'm going to make your life miserable. And what does she do? She walks out. Bye. Girl.
Steph: Look at you.
Steph: Love it.
Steph: And meanwhile, she's distracting herself with gearing up for the legacy ball. And it's a hard Buffy, right? It's a hard evening because while she looks gorgeous because she got that beautiful dress in Paris, everyone notices that she's not wearing her engagement ring.
Megan: And Dante was a pretty big ring.
Megan: Yes.
Megan: Well, she even said, like, holding it up, holding it up was like a workout.
Steph: You know, she's like, you have to like think about like they're all looking for drama constantly.
Steph: Oh, constantly.
Megan: The social aspect.
Steph: Exactly. So Kai asked her to dance and starts to flirt with her because at the time we don't know, but like Dante is watching them. But Kai is like, you know, kind of like, would you ever be interested in going out? And Dante comes over and he's like, if you fucking touch her again, Kai, I will kill you. And Kai is like, you're welcome. Bye.
Megan: He knew exactly what he was doing.
Steph: He knew exactly what he was doing. I was so proud of Kai. And then the two of them are on the dance floor. Dante claims he wouldn't miss his fiance's big night. And I'm like, have you not been paying attention? We broke up. So this is like the episode of Friends when Ross was like, we were on a break. And Rachel's like mad. I'm like, no, like she gave you back the ring. You are not together. Not together. You may not be used to losing, but she's not yours. And he doesn't think so. He's like, we just merely had a fight. We had a fight. I'm like, okay.
Steph: He does end up apologizing and telling her how he feels, how it feels like he spent an eternity in hell without her, even though it's been less than a week. Then he finally says he loves her and wants them to be together for real this time. He asks for one date. He's willing to do anything to prove they can make this work. And I was like, okay. And then this was like really sweet. It's like on Monday, he bumps into her at the coffee shop. She freak once, not in a creepy stalker way like Keith.
Megan: No, yes.
Steph: And tries to start like a new with her like, hey, I'm Dante. And she ends up giving- It's so cute, right? It was so sweet.
Megan: Little role play.
Steph: Exactly.
Steph: She gives him her number. He calls her that evening cause he can't wait. And then she does agree to go on a date with him. And he ends up playing this like movie night at his house. He gets like a vintage popcorn machine cause she loves popcorn even though he thinks it's gross.
Megan: I know he hates popcorn.
Steph: Which I'm like, what's wrong with you? Popcorn's delicious. It's great. It's basically like an adult mom meal.
Megan: I would literally eat popcorn all the time.
Megan: Same.
Megan: I love popcorn.
Steph: He gets takeoff from 34 dumpling places in the city cause so she can find like her new favorite one, super sweet. He picks out this movie that he got like Greta's granddaughter to help him pick out, which happens to be like her favorite one growing up. Like he has done all the right things. And then Vivian ends up sharing like what happened when she talked to her dad. Dante is like, I will, like I can stop all of us. And she was like, no, he made his bed. He deserves to lie in it. I'm like, good for you girl.
Steph: Good for you.
Megan: Absolutely.
Megan: Like you don't need to be the hero.
Megan: It's okay.
Megan: Let him sit in his shit.
Megan: Yes.
Megan: So then they go on another date. And Dante goes down on Vivian.In the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. And you're like, oh shit. Oh, we are not going for subtlety now, good sir. Hello. And he is definitely doing all the right things to win his girl back. I love it. He's like, look at this beautiful flower. Now look at me eating your flower. And you're like, correct.
Steph: I'm like, oh my God.
Steph: I know.
Megan: I'm like, is it humid in here or is the Botanical Gardens just like, yes. Like a little bit of everything. And so then next, Vivian gets a call from her sister, asking her to come to Eldora because her parents are driving her crazy. And I'm like, yeah, no shit. She's like, honey, they've been driving me crazy for literally years. It's your turn. Bye bye. But she helps her sister out. So her sister, Agnes, wants all of them to talk about what happened. She's like, we need to all sit down as a family and have a group therapy session, basically. Like even if it doesn't result in any reconciliation, like we got to talk. And then Vivian shares a situation with Dante. He surprisingly offers to go with her, even though he obviously hates her father. He's like, I hate that bitch. But I'll help you. So once they're in Eldora, her mother makes it very clear that she doesn't agree with her father's decision to disown Vivian.
Megan: She's like, I love you, like, well, in the best way she can say it.
Steph: Yeah.
Megan: And we see Vivian finally stand up to her mother's constant criticism of like her appearances, her like choices. And her mom tries to pass it off as being like, yeah, like, oh, it's just because like I love you. And like, I believe our family has to work twice as hard as everyone else does. Like, because we have such inherent like biases against us, like because of our background and everything that like, I pushed you for these reasons and like, kind of apologizes ish.
Steph: Yeah.
Steph: It's probably the best she's going to get.
Megan: Yeah, you know, and like, we see her try to be less critical throughout the rest of the book, but you're like, you still got work to do, mama. You still got work to do. Mama, lao, come on. So we're like, okay, we'll give you a little grain of salt to figure this out. Yeah.
Megan: So then we have the family dinner and Vivian shares about how she liked her better family when they weren't rich. And like, gives examples of like, how different everything was for them. She's like, I remember like, when my father like, used to do all these like, fun, loving things and like, now he like, only cares about money and he sucks. And surprisingly, your father doesn't see it that way, of course, and lashes out at Vivian about choosing Dante over her family. And that's when Vivian's like, oh, like how you disowned me and never treated me more like a pawn than anything else. Like, I'm your daughter. You want to talk family? I'm your daughter. I am not just business.
Steph: But also like I'm not your daughter because you disowned me.
Megan: You disowned me.
Megan: So thank you.
Megan: Bye.
Steph: Yeah.
Steph: So later, Dante confronts Vivian's father alone, making it clear that he's Vivian's family now, because he's been quiet at like dinner the entire time.
Steph: He also reiterates how, which is like a lot for him.
Megan: Yeah, you're like, is he going to say anything?
Megan: Is he going to say anything?
Megan: He's just like.
Steph: No, he's like, my girl's got it. He also reiterates how her father doesn't care about her happiness or his sisters because he ponded them both off on men they barely knew only to help his own ego and influence. He makes it clear the only reason why his company isn't destroyed is because he's Vivian's father and she still cares about him. But if he ever hurts Vivian again or talks to her the same way he did at dinner, then Dante will take everything from him. And I'm like, can I read about it when it happens?
Megan: Yes, please, please let us know.
Steph: So afterward, we learned that all the newspapers retracted their statements about fraud at Vivian's family company.
Steph: And Dante's like, it's merely a coincidence.
Megan: Is there anything about that?
Steph: It's just timing, it's just weird.And then we get another spicy scene where Dante and Vivian have sex.Thank you.
Megan: Thank you so much. And then a few months later, Dante and Vivian are on a vacation in Chile. I'm like, hello, look at this.
Steph: Rough life.
Megan:And Dante actually left his work phone at home. And you're like, oh.
Steph: Hell has frozen over.
Megan: It seriously has.
Megan: And this is when he proposes to her with the family heirloom ring, the one that his mom mentioned during their Thanksgiving trip. And it's like, oh, oh, I loved it. You really love it. It's beautiful.
Steph: Of course.
Steph: So good.
Megan: And then we get their epilogue and it's their wedding day in Lake Como. And I'm like, oh, yes. It's like, mia cara. You're like, oh, mia da da.
Steph: I'm like, oh, yeah, right.
Megan: And Vivian's mom, this is what's cool. Vivian's mom walks her down the aisle. You're like, wow, they've really grown. And I'm so proud of them because everyone else is still on the outs with their dad. But he's invited. He's allowed to attend. He's just to sit there and shut up.
Steph: Which I think is like more punishment because like everyone's talking about him while he's there.
Steph: So like he ends up leaving.
Steph: And I feel like it's better than than if he wasn't allowed to come, because now like people are like whispering about him and he can hear it.
Megan: Which is like the worst thing that could happen to him, you know. But they're just like, fuck you. It's our beautiful wedding day on Lake Como. And it's just like gorgeous. And you're like, yes.I know.
Steph: Okay.
Steph: Hot and steamy.
Steph: This felt like a four.
Megan: Yeah.
Steph: We start with a little fingerfuckery.
Steph: You guys know how much we love the fingerfuckery.
Megan: I love finger.
Steph: I think I also just like saying the word fingerfuckery more so than maybe the actual fingerfuckery.
Steph: But.
Megan: Finger.
Steph: Cracked.
Megan: You can do it, Steph.
Steph: Sorry.
Steph: I was just like, he goes, you don't even like me. And she's like, like has nothing to do with this. And I was like, this feels like hate finger fuckery. Cause right, we're in the library. That's it. Given to it, sweetheart, let me feel you come all over my hand. And she's like, fuck you. And then he responds, that's the idea. And I was just like, god damn, right? Like we're in a library. We can be caught at any time. We hate each other at this point. We have hate fingerfuckery, which we've not read. We've not read hate fingerfuckery. It's very different.Yes. And I liked it.
Megan: I love it.
Megan: You like totally skipped over saying the Italian.
Steph: Yeah, I'm not, I'm saying Italian.
Megan: We're, we know this.
Steph: Yeah, we're not doing that. I like it.
Megan: He's just basically saying like, you may not like me, but it's the truth.
Megan: Like you like this.
Megan: It's like.
Steph: Well, I did.
Steph: I like to read it too.
Megan: I did.
Megan: And then we get to chapter 19, where Dante goes down on Vivian in Bali. And holy shit, the dirty talk is so good.
Steph: It's so good.
Steph: Like.
Megan: And so this is him taunting her.
Megan: And he's like, what do you want me to do? What do you want me to do? He's like, please eat out this pretty little cunt of yours. Tongue fuck you until you beg me to let you come. You have such a smart mouth, and you gotta use it. And she's like, yes. I need your mouth on me, Dante, please. And this time, the son of her voice, moaning my name in that way, did unravel me. And I pushed her legs further apart and delved in like a man starved. I focused on her swollen clit, licking and sucking until her cries of pleasure crescendoed to the edge of pain. But it was fucking hot.
Steph: I'm so hot.
Steph: And then we get Chapter 24, where they finally have socks. Do you want to know why? Because you're mine.You wear my ring. You come on my face and hand. You live in my head all the fucking time, even if I don't want you to. And God, I want to punish you for driving me so damn crazy every single day. I didn't get a chance to fully register his last sentence before he slammed into me and tore a cry from my throat and I was just like, it was worth the wait. It was worth the wait. Yeah.
Megan: And there's a mirror in there. And he like pushes her head down to like look at the mirror and he's like, watch me fuck you. Look how good you look. And you're like, Oh God.
Steph: Right?
Steph:Like, yeah, okay.
Steph: The dirty talk on this man was so good.
Megan: The only issue I had in the beginning of this whole thing was when he unzipped himself and she saw everything. And she's like, he's so big. I just don't know how I'm going to take him. And I'm just like, okay, what are we talking about girl?
Steph: Like, how do I feel?
Megan: Like this big?
Megan: How are we talking?
Steph: No one could take that.
Steph: No one can.
Megan: Exactly.
Megan: That's my only complaint where I would… When they say stuff like that, I was like, it was so big. I didn't know how I was going to take it. I was like, that wasn't it?
Steph: She could have been used to Heath, but Heath was a micro.
Megan: Oh, oh.
Megan: See?
Steph: So that's where like I have in my mind is that like in previous contexts, it's so big because like the previous men they were with were micros.
Megan: Maybe.
Megan: So, it feels...
Megan: So this comes into play in this next bit with Chapter 27, where Vivian goes down on Dante, and then they have sex and limo, because she talks about it. She goes, this wasn't my first time giving Dante a blowjob, but I never fully get used to how big he was, how thick and long. I'd taken him as far as I could, and there was still a good two inches between my mouth and the top of my stacked fist. So I'm just like, you know me. I'm just like, okay, we got to the science here. I'm like, where? So it's all the way in, and you still have two inches? Either she has a really tiny mouth.
Steph: She could have a tiny mouth or a horrible gag reflex.
Megan: Just like, how are we?
Megan: Is it?
Steph: Yeah.
Megan: What's happening?
Steph: It was long, Megan.
Steph: It was just really long.
Megan: And thick.
Megan: So maybe it was.
Steph: That doesn't feel long and thick.
Steph: That feels like medium and thick.
Megan: That feels like you're going to have a UTI.
Megan: That's bad.
Steph: That feels like, I don't know.
Megan: But, you know, and I digress. She basically gives him a really great blowjob, and she's very turned on, and then he fucks her from behind, and then she has to lick up her cum off the limousine.
Steph: While he's fucking her, I was just like-
Megan: While he's fucking her, you're like, oh damn, oh, oh my. And then she's a little bit worried. She's like, can the drivers see us? He's like, don't worry, they can't see anything. I'm like, but security.
Steph: But like, yeah. Oh my.
Steph: So Chapter 31, we're in Paris, Dante goes down on Vivian, then he fucks her, but he's done like, this is when he's already ordered the hit on her dad.
Steph: So.
Megan: Not great.
Steph: It took all of my willpower to maintain an unhurried pace when she felt so fucking perfect, but I wanted to save her every second. And I'm like, why are we slow fucking? Yeah.
Megan: We're making it up.
Steph: I mean, to each his own.
Steph: Cause she's.
Steph: She's like, don't make love to me, just fuck me.
Steph: Right?
Steph: Cause she's like, faster, please.
Megan: Like, well, I mean, yes.
Steph: I'm just saying.
Megan: I'm just saying, I don't want to be made love to in Paris. I want to be fucked in Paris. Well, in that case, invite someone else so you can have a true Eiffel Tower experience.
Steph: That's all I'm saying.
Megan: It's called the Eiffel Tower for a reason.
Steph: I don't think that's this kind of book.
Steph: That is more like Jacksonville Rays.
Steph: Yes.
Megan: Dante would never allow this.
Steph: He would never share.
Megan: He'd be like, he can't share.
Megan: He can't share.
Steph: He could even share her dancing with Kai.
Megan: No.
Steph: Good Lord, yeah.
Steph: He's the opposite of a why choose.
Megan: He's like, I know.
Megan: Mine.
Steph: Yeah.
Megan: Mine.
Megan: This is Chapter 40.nDante goes down on Vivian in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. It's very humid. It's very hot and steamy in there.
Steph: I was very hot.
Megan: I was hot and steamy.
Megan: He says, tell me what you want, Vivian.
Megan: Do you want me on my knees?
Steph: Yes.
Megan: Duh.
Steph: What kind of question is that?
Steph: The answer is always yes.
Megan: It's always yes. And oxygen disappeared, and he slowly lowered himself to the ground, movement both proud and subservient. Yes. Servere woman. And his breath fanned across my skin. Do you want this? His fingers trailed from my hand down over the back of my leg, leaving fire in their wake.
Megan: And duh, duh, duh.
Megan: Yes, we do want this.
Steph: In public.
Steph: I did like this.
Megan: More.
Megan: In chapter 43, where Dante and Vivian have sex, which is very, very good. She sank down on him, slowly accepting him inch by inch. And so he was buried fully inside of me. We groaned in unison. Dante's hands gripped my hips while I rocked against him. Sweat misted my skin. Moans filled the air and delicious pressure built inside me, climbing higher and higher until my mind was hazy with lust. And his muscles visibly strained from the effort of holding back. But he didn't attempt to take over as they rode us into a simultaneous toe curling orgasm. It was the first time we'd ever come together.
Steph: Well, which is, yeah, this is a great book.
Megan: It was a great book.
Steph: So good.
Megan: I would say the King of Wrath, the Dick of Wrath.
Megan: Now we know why he's called the Dick of Wrath.
Steph: Well, why you called him the Dick of Wrath.
Megan: Why I called him the Dick of Wrath.
Megan: Yes, yes.
Steph: It was well done.
Steph: Okay, in terms of what's next, if you enjoyed this book, we think you'll also love the rest of the Kings of Sins series.
Megan: Highly recommend checking them out.
Steph: Especially the next book, King of Pride, which tells Kai and Isabel's story.
Steph: They're all great. Sloane's story is also so good.
Steph: If you're into billionaire books, Black Ties and White Lies, Pembroke Hills series by Kat Singleton, More Than Friends comes out in March. Paradise Problem, this felt a little bit, I got some vibes from that. Handsome Devil, we talked a little bit about Bad Bishop, but this felt a little bit like Handsome Devil too. And then The Billionaire Game series by Olivia Hayle also great.
Megan: That's why that title stuck out to me.
Steph: I was like, Billionaire Games?
Megan: Wait a second.
Megan:There is a book called that.
Steph: It's a series, yeah.
Megan: We've been there.
Megan: We've been there.
Megan: Okay.
Megan: Never mind.
Megan: But then enjoy this next week when we dive into the world of romantasy and discuss The Ever Queen by LJ Andrews. Happy reading, everybody.
Steph: Happy reading. Thanks for listening to Late Night Reads. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook at Late Night Reads Podcast and check out latenightreads.com for even more information about all the books we're reading. If you love today's episode, make sure to subscribe, rate and review our podcast, and share the show with your fellow book lovers.
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