3

DANTE'S POV

I sat in my office staring at the documents in front of me. I had Dominic, my right hand man and cousin, draft a background check on the little miss red head.

Despite my fathers words, I had Dominic do a bit of research on her . The result sat on my desk a day later. I went through the folder, my eyes scanning all the pictures, information.

I picked up a picture of her. She stood in a grass field wearing a summer dress, her graduation coat sat on her shoulder as she held a bouquet of lilies, her face filled with excitement. She looked so happy and innocent. It felt a little overwhelming.

I threw the photo on my table recalling my first impression of her. I had gone to Rosa's restaurant, one of my many meet up locations.

She had appeared out of nowhere and I couldn't tell whether it had to do with her being small or she was just a sneaky brat.

Her outburst was expected but still it shocked me as no one ever stood up to me. My lips twitched at her angered face and I froze. I never found such actions funny. Why was she different?

I needed a cold shower. I ran a hand through my hair trying to focus on the number on the screen in front of me when my phone buzzed. I picked it up by pressing the answer button without checking the contact's name.

"Boss," Ryker, Autumn's bodyguard, spoke through the line. What is the matter? How is the ginger? I asked with a nonchalant tone.

"That's why I called," he muttered, his voice laced with exhaustion. I sat up, my ears piqued in curiosity. I had placed her under his care without her knowledge. Not that it mattered.

"What's the matter? Is she okay?"

"Of course she's fine," he answered and I ran my hand over my face, my patience wearing thin. "Then why would you call? Go straight to the point,"

"She left the hotel with all her stuff. I think she might be going to the airport.The words left his lips and the lid that held my anger slid off. "And you let her go?" I yelled and I could hear him suck in the air.

"Get her before she gets on the plane. Che Dio ti aiuti a non tornare più se lo fa,” I ended the call dropping the phone.

I tried going back to work but for some reason I couldn't take my mind off her. She dared ignore my warnings. I felt a sliver of amusement but the anger shadowed it.

My phone rang, breaking the chain of thoughts and I looked down to find a text. A smile slitted its way to my lips as I read it. They had gotten her back.

It had barely been fifteen minutes but I could already hear her voice through the halls. Her curse grew louder and for some reason she found them amusing.

The door was pulled open and she was pushed inside. Dominic stood behind her and Ryker walked in avoiding my gaze. "What the fuck is your problem" she yelled her face as red as a strawberry.

"Breathe," I muttered , my voice calm. Her eyes widened for a while but she took the advice folding her arm across shoulder. Her face slowly lost a bit of its colour and she resumed.

"I want to go home. I have an interview in the next two days." She explained but I couldn't care less about her schedule.

“Take a seat.”

Her words died down but she only glared at me. A chuckle crawled up my throat but I swallowed it, giving her another chance. Dominic held her arm pushing her to the chair. She glared at him but I noticed the slight quiver of a jaw. She was scared.

"what did i say about leaving last night?" I asked, placing my hands on the table. She turned to me and I tilted my head waiting for an answer. "I don't male it a habit of repeating myself

"You said I'm not allowed to go back home." Her voice came out calmer than expected and I felt a sense of pride but she wasn't going to see that.

"Good girl. You're not allowed to leave this house without someone with you and you are definitely not allowed to leave the fucling state

Tears pooling in her eyes but that never clouded the anger. " You can't do that. That kidnapping. I'll call the police"

Domic laughed out and I smiled when the light in her eyes dimmed. I got off the chair walking to her side of the desk. "First off the police can't do shit. Try it. Call them" i encouraged having her phone bit she just stared at it not taking it off my hands.

"That's what i thought," i threw the phone on the desk leaning on the desk. I was barely a few feet away from her and I could perceive a faint scent of vanilla and just what I expected her to smell like.

“Well I'd just run away until I'm out of your grasp,” she muttered, her chin held high. I smirked, pulling out my gun from the side in seconds. Blood drained out of her face and my smile grew wider. I pointed the gun at her and a tear slid down her face.

"Dante-" Domic called out but he never finished his sentence as Autumn's screams filled the air as I pulled the trigger.

Slowly, she peeled her eyes open, turning to her left. Ryker dropped to his knees holding his left arm. A silent sob left her and she clutched her mouth turning to me.

"Run away and you have yourself to blame for the loss of a life.

"Non gocciolare sul mio fottuto tappeto," I yelled, turning to Ryker and he nodded walking out of the room, his face twisted in pain.

"You're a monster," she whispered, staring at me with cold hate.

I placed the gun under her chin, lifting her head as I leaned. I noticed her light shudders and my lips twitched with excitement

"Oh Mia Dolce, you have no idea,"

She let out a shaky breath and I moved back making room for her, and she gave me a long glare before walking away.