HIDDEN

DANTE'S POV

The ward reeked of strong antiseptic and blood, making my nose twitch. I had to hold it in.

My body ached badly, but the pain was the least of my worries . I was half conscious. I could hear the whispers concerning my death outside the room, the footsteps of people around me.

Heavy silence followed the pronouncement of my death. “Dante Rossi, ages twenty-nine, died at three-thirty pm. Cause of death: sudden heart attack.” Dr Jones said as the monitor flatlined.

Audrey voice rang in my ears, “ I will escort them to the Morgue”

I was used to faking things. Lies, deceit, manipulations—they were a part of my world. But this? Lying about my death to save my own life? That was a new one, and the lowest even for me. Those bastards were going to pay.

They zipped the body bag, and darkness enveloped me. My breaths were slow and controlled. I couldn't move. Not yet. If I so much as twitched, it would all be for nothing.

I felt the gurney being moved. The pain was endurable – maybe it's the effect of the aspirin under my tongue. I could feel the bullet wounds burning, the stitches pulling with every little motion.

“Patience Dante.” I thought to myself. I had to find who was responsible for this. I needed to protect Audrey. A few more minutes and it wouldn't kill me so I took a deep breath and held it in.

*********

“Where the hell is Audrey?” I looked around in distress, as I stood outside the morgue.

She should have been here by now. I had to stay off the CCTV as she had instructed. My body still aches badly, but I had a feeling that I was used to pain.

Pacing back and forth from the door to back to the morgue, I became restless. “Has something happened? Has someone discovered our plans?” I wondered,my anxiety growing. Now worried for both Audrey and myself.

“Sorry I kept you waiting. I had to create a diversion.” She whispered as she was now close.

I took a sigh of relief, then nodded.

“We need to move, now.” She said, while looking round to make sure we were alone.

As she took me to the exit, I wondered what I did to deserve her help.

“I hope once the news of your death is out there, all your enemies stay off my back.”

“They will stay off your back, Audrey. I'm grateful to you.” I said, in all honesty.

“There is a loophole in this plan.” I looked at her confused. “What do you mean by loophole?” “There is no ‘body’ to replace yours in the morgue.”

We stopped by a door. I didn't even know how we got there. My gaze was fixated on Audrey. The woman is beautiful and I could bet my dick she didn't even know it.

I gave her a lopsided grin. “Don't worry about that, it's sorted out, Cara mia.” She stared at me for a while. “I hope so, Mr Rossi. The last thing I want is this whole thing coming to bite me.” She said, looking defeated.

I held her crossed arm, “I promise, it's not coming back to bite you. I'm also doing this to protect you.” I assured her.

Nodding, “this is the exit. Mr Rossi. Stay alive.” she said, shocking me. No one has really cared. I put on my boyish grin, "what do you say to an earth shattering goodbye kiss.”

If she agreed, I would genuinely do it. I didn't know what it was about her.

“Arrogant prick. I never want to see you again”

I burst into a fit of laughter. “Your wish is my command Audrey. Stay safe.”

*********

“Hello, replace the body at the morgue, meet me at ‘Wild’. I need a gun, change of clothes and medical supplies.”

“Yes boss” the person on the other end of the line responded. “Make sure it's on the news that I'm dead and watch her!” I ordered.

“Got it boss”. I quickly dropped the payphone and made my way to Wild.

The night air hit me on the face and it's coolness on my sweaty skin making me fritt my teeth cause it reminded me of my injuries. “Bloody hell.” I muttered to no one in particular.

I'm going bury each and every one of those bastardo.

I got to wild – a Club. The place looked cheap but it hid one of my businesses. I pushed open the back door that wasn't visible to people. As I made my way in, neon green lights flickered.

Phoenix had never really been a quiet place even in the dead of the night. — people fucking like dogs at the cracked hallway and drunk ass ones stumbled in a haze, unable to understand their surroundings.

When I reached the underground, my head was pounding, my stitches hurt and my clothes bloodied. “Fuck”

I knocked thrice in a rhythm that only I and a few knew.

The peephole shifted open, then a pair of sharp, dark eyes studied me.

“Holy shit.” The door flew open, and he dragged me inside. “You’re supposed to be a dead man.”

I smirked, but then winced as pain took over my body. “Surprise.”

He murmured a curse under his breath, then locked the door. “Sit. You look like hell.”

I didn’t bother to argue. The moment I sat on the worn-out leather chair, he started with me—pulling out a first-aid kit, a clean shirt, and a glass of whiskey. “Damn, you just know what I need.”

“You’re lucky that nurse of yours has guts.” He took out a fresh bandage from the box and started working on my injuries. “You gonna tell me how the hell you convinced her and pulled this off?”

“Later man, later.” I muttered as I winced in pain. I took a sip of the whiskey, letting it burn my throat. “Tell me about the body.”

“Already taken care of. John Doe, similar build as you. Enough damage to the face though to pass as you. Coroner’s been paid off.”

Good. That meant I had time before someone got suspicious. That's if they will. “And Audrey?”

He paused for half a second. “She’s being watched. But boss—”

“What?”

“She’s still in danger.”

Slowly, rage crept up my body, but I had to control it. “Explain.”

“Someone’s been sniffing around the hospital, asking questions about you…. And her. Even before you faked your death. He met my gaze. “She’s a liability, Dante. You know it.”

My grip on the glass tightened and I thought it might break into pieces. “She saved my life.”

“And she’ll get herself killed if you don’t handle this.”

I set the glass down carefully. “No one touches her. Understood? Let's watch, and find out if they will back off now that I'm dead.”

He exhaled heavily but nodded. “Your call, man. But we have to be fast and careful.”

“Hmmmph” I said, taking a gulp of whiskey.

********

My phone buzzed, waking me up. An unknown number. I frowned, but picked it up.

“Boss!”

“What?” I answered in a clipped frustrated voice, knowing who was on line.

“Audrey is being stalked right now!”

“Shit!”