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Chapter 48
publish date:
2026-06-13 02:29:05
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Under his protection Chapter 48
DanteThe doctor kept talking, but I heard none of what he had to say.I should be more concerned with what was going on with my child, but my mind remained fixed on the memory of Aria sitting across from me in the library.After being in this world for as long as I have, not many things frighten me, but the look on her face as I walked out the door with Lucia frightened me.Something about it felt wrong.Aria wasn't angry.She wasn't jealous.She wasn't even upset.And somehow that worried me more."Dante?"The doctor's voice pulled me back.I looked up."She and the baby are fine," he repeated.Lucia sat quietly on the examination bed."The pain was most likely caused by exhaustion and stress. Nothing serious."I nodded."Good."The doctor continued speaking."No unnecessary stress.""Regular checkups.""Plenty of rest."I barely listened.The doctor excused himself for a moment."It would be nice if you paid attention to what was going on, you know," Lucia whispered, clearly pissed
Under his protection Chapter 47
AriaAfter dinner that evening, Lucia caught up to me before I could go up to my room."Would you like to take a walk with me?"I almost said no.But she looked hopeful enough that refusing felt cruel.Now we were slowly making our way through the gardens behind the mansion.The weather was pleasant, and the cool night breeze was exactly what I needed.But somehow, I still felt miserable.Lucia rested a hand on her stomach as we walked."The doctor says walking is good for the baby."I nodded."I'm glad you agreed to come with me."I offered a small smile."So am I."For a while, we walked in silence.Then Lucia spoke again."I've started remembering things."My attention immediately shifted to her."You have?"She nodded."Small things, mostly.""Like what?"A soft smile touched her lips."Things before I left. My life, Dante..."She laughed softly but something uncomfortable twisted in my stomach."We were friends first and I remember following him around when we were younger."Her
Under his protection Chapter 46
AriaI woke up to Dante’s arms wrapped around my waist, and a slow smile formed on my lips. I missed this.We must have slept for hours, and a quick glance at the clock confirmed my suspicions. It was past eleven, and we had completely missed breakfast.Dante is never around at this time, and even though I’d love to stay like this for a while longer, Dante probably has other stuff to do.“Hey,” I whispered as I gently tapped Dante.He stirred slightly but didn’t open his eyes.“We need to get up,” I continued, amused at his attempt to pretend like he was asleep.“Shh, it’s the best sleep I’ve had in days,” he replied, holding me tightly.“I’m sure you have something to do.”“No, I don’t.”“Yes, you do.”He groaned but finally loosened his grip.“You are right.” He reached for his phone. “I couldn’t speak to the new Pakhan at the wedding.”“Sofia’s husband?”“Yeah. I should see him this morning. The last thing I need is for the Russians to feel insulted.”Settling his phone back down,
Under his protection Chapter 45
DanteThe second Lucia appeared, I knew everything had gone wrong.Aria followed my gaze and froze.Her face drained of all color.Shit.She shouldn't have to find out like this.Not in a crowded room full of strangers.Not like this.Her eyes dropped to Lucia's stomach.Then to me.Then back to Lucia.As if she was trying to make sense of what she was seeing.I ignored Lucia and turned toward Aria, ready to explain.Ready to say something.Anything.Before I could, a familiar voice interrupted."Ahh, Lucia. You just wandered off."I looked up and, for the first time all evening, my anger outweighed my shock.Riccardo Bellini.Lucia's father.The old man walked toward us wearing a satisfied smile.A smile I immediately wanted to wipe off his face.He stopped beside his daughter and placed a hand on her shoulder."I just wanted to say hello," Lucia replied with a soft smile.After Lucia requested to stay with her father, I granted it immediately.Considering how distant I had been, it
Under his protection Chapter 44
AriaThe morning of Sofia's wedding was anything but exciting. I felt emotionally drained.I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror as Isabella adjusted the back of my dress. All the bridesmaids looked perfect in the blue fabric Sofia had picked.Everything was beautiful.The flowers.The dresses.The venue.And Sofia—she looked ethereal.But my mind couldn't seem to shake the thought of Lucia and the fact that she was carrying Dante's baby.My mind kept coming up with crazy scenarios of how things would be. It didn't help that Dante was basically not speaking to me.I hadn't seen him since the night I told him I loved him.No calls.Just occasional short replies.Busy.Working.Later.That was all I got.Even if he decided he didn't want to be with me anymore, he owed it to me to say it to my face.“You are doing it again,” Gemma whispered.“What?”“Overthinking everything.”I sighed deeply.“I can't help it.”“He still hasn't mentioned it?” she asked, referring to Dante.
Under his protection Chapter 43
DanteThe days went by in a blur. I kept going back to Franco’s to see Lucia. Not just because the doc had said being around her might help bring back her memory, but because I hadn’t been able to face Aria.It was difficult being close to her and not being able to pull her close and tell her how much she means to me. So, against my better judgment, I avoided her.Only letting myself watch her from the cameras around the house. Or slipping into our room when I thought she was asleep just to watch her.I missed her and the feeling was foreign enough to unsettle me.I knew that not telling her about Lucia would only make things worse. But I couldn’t put that on her, especially when it wasn’t confirmed if the baby was mine.“You came again,” Lucia said one afternoon. She sat by the window of her room painting, something she had spent most of her time doing since we found her.“Yes.”“You don’t stay long.”“I’m busy.”That wasn’t a lie.But it wasn’t the truth either.She frowned slightly
Under his protection Chapter 42
DanteI shouldn’t have left her alone, but right now, the rage was too raw. Being around her might cause more harm than good.The first thing I did was have Adriano send Lola to her. She needed comfort, and I couldn’t be the one to give it to her.The basement smelled like iron and sweat when I wal
Under his protection Chapter 41
DanteA week agoMy phone rang, cutting off whatever Aria was about to say.Adriano.He never called unless it was important.I stepped away from the table, not wanting Aria to hear anything that would worry her.“What?”“Lucia has been found.”Four simple words.Four words powerful enough to make
Under his protection Chapter 40
AriaBy the next morning, the distance between us had already begun.I woke up to Dante getting dressed for the day. From his untouched side of the bed, I could tell he didn’t sleep in it at all.“You did come to bed last night.”Dante raised his eyes to look at me through the mirror.“I had work t
Under his protection Chapter 39
AriaThe ride back to the estate was silent. Dante sat beside me facing forward, one hand gripping his gun so tightly, his knuckles had almost turned white.His jaw was tight and his anger radiated off him.I wanted to say something, make him feel better, but in this state, I was not sure how he’d
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