Kneel for the Donna

The windshield exploded..

Glass sprayed across my face.

"Get down!" I screamed.

My driver jerked once and slumped over the wheel.

Blood ran down his collar.

Two black sedans had sealed both ends of the street.

A round tore through my left arm.

I bit down on a scream.

I climbed over the console, shoved his body aside, and slammed my foot on the gas.

The car clipped a sedan's bumper and tore through the gap.

Bullets chased me down the block.

I swerved into a narrow alley and killed the engine.

I fell out of the car and hit the wet pavement.

My sleeve was soaked red. My hands shook so badly I could barely hold my phone.

I tried to call Lorenzo.

The screen flashed: Battery low. Shutting down.

"No, no, no," I whispered. I stabbed at the emergency button with my bloody thumb.

The signal went out.

The phone died in my hand.

I leaned against the brick wall and tried to breathe.

My vision swam. Then I remembered, that button was the one I set up three years ago.

I never changed it. I never deleted him.

I had just sent my location to Dante.

Tires screeched at the mouth of the alley.

Three black SUVs. Men poured out with guns drawn.

Dante stepped out last, in a tailored coat, with his jaw set like he owned the whole street.

He did own this district. He looked me over, and a slow smirk crossed his face.

"Three years," he said. "And you finally found an excuse to come looking for me??"

My blood boiled. I pushed myself up the wall.

"Dante, someone just tried to kill me."

"Sure they did." He laughed and glanced at his men.

"You hear that? She took a bullet to get my attention. I have to admit, that's creative."

"My driver is dead," I said. "He's still in the car. Go look."

"I'm sorry about your driver." He didn't look sorry. "But let's be honest. You could have texted. You didn't have to take a bullet to get my attention."

I stared at him.

He honestly believed it.

A man was dead, I was bleeding into the gutter, and Dante Rosetti thought I had staged it for him.

"You think I did this on purpose?"

"I think you missed me." He stood and smoothed his coat. "And I think you're smart enough to know I'd come."

I was shaking from head to toe.

Not from fear. From rage.

How had I ever loved this man?

My knees buckled. I grabbed the wall, and the movement tore at my arm.

A sharp cry escaped me.

Dante's face changed.

He looked at the blood pouring down my fingers.

His smirk vanished. He pulled off his coat, took one fast step toward me, and reached out to press it against the wound.

Then he stopped.

His hand hung in the air.

His eyes flicked to his men, who were watching.

His shoulders squared. He straightened up and tossed the coat over his arm instead.

"Fine," he said coldly. "You really bled for this. I'll give you credit."

I couldn't believe him. "Dante."

"Don't." He lifted his chin . "You want me back. I get it. So here's the deal. I forgive you."

I laughed. "You forgive me?"

His voice softened, the way it did when he thought he was being generous.

"Fine. Let's clear the air. Mia has depression. You know that. And her father died taking a bullet meant for my father. This family owes him everything. I can't let her feel unwanted."

"It was one ring, Elena. One ring! And you ran off to who knows where for three years over it. Was that really worth it?"

"A ring," I said quietly.

He actually said it again.

Three years ago, in front of two hundred guests, Mia said she envied my engagement ring.

Dante tore it off my finger so hard it left a ring of bruises.

He put it on her hand while I stood there.

Then his men escorted me out into the rain.

My mother held me that night. She never asked a single question. She just held me.

"It was one ring," Dante went on. "You ran off and sulked for three years over a piece of jewelry."

"You think I ran away over jewelry?" I asked quietly.

"Whatever. It's done." He stepped closer and lowered his voice.

"Be good, Elena. I'll throw you a new engagement party. Bigger. And a bigger ring than the one she has. Everyone will see I took you back.How's that?"

He actually smiled, like a man handing out a gift.

The ring on my left hand was a plain silver band.

Lorenzo had put it there.

Dante hadn't even noticed it. He had no idea who I belonged to now.

I smiled too.

You have no idea, Dante.

Three years ago I walked out of your life.

Today I belong to the one man you would die for. When you find out, you won't forgive anyone.

"What's so funny?" he demanded.

"Nothing," I said. "Nothing at all."

I tried to take a step and my legs gave out.

Dante caught my good arm before I fell, and I yanked it free as hard as I could.

Pain shot up my shoulder.

"Don't touch me."

"You're about to pass out," he snapped. "Stop being stubborn."

He was right. I had lost too much blood. My phone was off. My guards were miles away.

The men who tried to kill me could still be circling the block.

If I stayed in this alley, I might not live to see Lorenzo again.

I weighed it in half a second.

Dante's pride was a weakness, but his territory was safe.

Once I was patched up, I could reach my own people.

"Fine," I said, flat and low. "Take me to a doctor."

A satisfied grin spread across his face.

He thought I had finally bent.

"Good girl," he said. He swung the SUV door open and gestured inside.

I lowered my head and climbed into the car without another word.

Dante watched my face the entire time.