جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

DANTE’S POV “A toast to new alliances,” my uncle says, raising his glass. “A toast.” Glasses clink. The room fills with smoke and noise. Men start congratulating me on the territory expansion and power. I nod and sip my drink. I don’t really care. I want to leave. I want to go home. I want to go see her. I don’t know what spell she’s cast on me but it’s working. I push my chair back and decide to head for the door. “Dante. Where are you going?” My uncle’s voice cuts through the table. Cheery. Too loud. I turn. “We’re done with the trade deal,” I say “There’s no reason for me to stay.” He smiles. The kind that doesn’t reach the eyes. “I know you want to leave. But think about it” he says “We just became partners with the Colombians. It’s rude to walk out on them.” Rude. I hold his stare. He holds mine. He’s right though. The Colombians are hotheaded. I walk out now, it might cost me later. “Fine,” I say. “I’ll stay a few m

Dante’s pov I stand outside the theatre pacing back and forth. The blood on my body causes people to stop and stare but I couldn’t care less. I’ve seen plenty of lifeless bodies before, I’ve even been responsible for why most of them were lifeless. But today, seeing Lena’s body turn lifeless in my arms and watching the life drain out of her face it felt so surreal. Ricardo and I have been waiting outside the theatre for two hours now, with no hope that she’s doing ok. I don’t even want to think of the possibility of her not being fine, because all hell is going to break loose if anything happens to her. My bloodstained hands shake as I bring them to my face. When people speak of fear I never truly understood it, pain I have felt, loss I have felt that too, betrayal, that is something I’m well acquainted with, but fear this is completely new to me. I have never been in a situation where I had the odds against me. The door to the theatre opens and the doctor steps out f

Lena’s POV The car stops. I know we are home before I even see it. *Home* I never really believed I would ever consider this place home. It had always felt like a cage but today I’m seeing it through new lenses. Maria walks out the door with a wheelchair in hand. I turn to Dante, “I can….” “No.” He says, with a note of finality. Not in the mood to argue. He slides one arm under my knees and the other around my back. He lifts me out like I weigh nothing. I go stiff instantly, embarrassed, as his driver and guards watch. His mouth inches closer to my ear, low enough that only I hear. “Stop counting who’s watching.” My breath catches. How did he read my mind? He carries me in his arms until we reach Maria at the door. “Maria there will be no need for the chair anymore.” He moves past her with me in his arms as we head for the stairs. Every step he takes makes the stitches under my ribs pull. I bite my lip in pain. He stops. “Are you ok?” I don’t answer. Hol

Dante’s pov I take a long drag of my blunt, in my office. The smell of tobacco contaminates the air. Ricardo is standing in front of my desk, tablet in hand, jaw set like he’s been running all morning. “Boss,” he says. “We have a lead on Madam Lena's assault case.” I don’t look up from my file. “Talk.” “Security footage from the east stairwell was wiped,” he pauses. “It wasn’t hacked or corrupted. It was manually removed.” He slides the tablet across the desk. “An outsider wouldn’t have access to such information. Whoever did this is very familiar with the Morettis' estate.” He pauses again, waiting for me to talk. “Someone from your family perhaps.” My hand stills. I’ve had my suspicions since the night with the cameras, but this just confirms it all. “Noted,” I say flatly. “Keep digging though. I need names.” Ricardo studies me for a bit. “Would you be ok with me investigating your family members?” I meet his eyes. “I want the truth. I don’t care if

Lena’s POV The morning light slips through the heavy curtains. I move around to find the bed empty. Dante is already up, he’s at the edge of the bed, shirt half on. I reach for him before I think better of it. My hands wrap around him from behind. Already ready for round two. He stills, but doesn’t pull away. “Not this morning, Tesoro.” He says, his voice low. I move closer. “Come on, just a little.” “No,” he says. “We did more than enough last night.” He stands up. “You should use today to rest up.” With that, he walks out. I should be upset about his blatant rejection, but after the night we had I’m not sure anything can piss me off this morning. I take a whiff of myself. I should go shower I smell like sex. - - - Dante has me against his desk, his hand holding me in place as he devours my mouth. He presses his forehead against mine and I bite on his bottom lip. “Fiesty.” He says, pulling me onto his lap. I shriek. “Dante,” I gesture to my ribs. “Be car