“She’s fine. She loves it here. And they love her. I promise.”
He gave me a stiff nod, but I knew he was on his guard.
“Dante is ready for you,” Sin said, coming into the room.
Anson made to step forward with Cole at my side, but Sin shook his head.
“No. Rosalie only.”
“She’s not fucking going in there alone—” Cole started.
“Shh.” I brushed my lips against his. “It’s OK.”
“No, Rosebud,” he whispered to me, his voice trembling. “He’s a fucking murdering monster?—”
“So are you,” I pointed out.
He blinked at me quickly. “Yeah, but I love you.”
“So does he.” I kissed him gently again. “Stay with Ani. I’ll be back. And please be good.” I pulled away from him, taking in the worry on his face.
“Come on,” Sin grunted, nodding for me to follow him to Dante’s office. I did so, leaving Anson and Cole with Malachi.
“How is he today?” I asked as we walked down a long hallway. Dante’s mansion was pristine. Gothic. A little scary.
“You know Church. Always pissed off. You ignoring his calls hasn’t helped,” he said, stopping outside Dante’s office door.
“He’s such a grump,” I muttered.
“Well, he’s an extra grump today, so be good. We have to deal with his ass when you leave.”
“I’ll do what I can,” I said with a sigh.
Sin pushed open the massive doors to Dante’s study, and I saw him sitting in his chair near the fireplace, Ashes and Shadow nearby. Their conversation ended as we stepped into the room.
“Well, look who it is. My long-lost sister. I thought I was going to have to send a search party to find you,” Dante said,sweeping toward me in all black. He stopped in front of me and gripped my jaw as his guys filtered out of the room.
“Why have you been ignoring my calls?” he asked softly.
“Because I know how you’ll be,” I replied, trying to avert my eyes from his.
He gave my jaw a gentle shake. “Look at me.”
I did, noticing there wasn’t the usual anger or irritation in his green eyes. He looked… sad.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, crinkling my brows as I stared back at him.
“I missed you,” he said. “I did not like not being able to speak to you. I was fearful while you were gone. Terrified something had happened to you. Of course, it did in the form of Cole Scott.” He released my face before he opened his arms for me. Immediately, I hugged him.
“Don’t hurt Cole,” I choked out. “Please. H-He’s probably going to join us so Ellis can have him in her life.”
“Sweet sister,” Dante murmured. “He signed a blood contract. He stole you. He will be punished.”
I pulled away. “Dante?—”
“Did he hurt you while he had you?”
I hesitated. “Not really. I tried to escape because I was so angry and fell. I sprained my ankle. He took care of me.”
