Page 85 of Vow of Hate

My mom doesn’t offer any judgment as she holds me while I cry. She just does what a good mother does: supports me. Comforts me.

We stay like that for a long time.

Dante is taken into surgery and I have nothing to do but wait. Mom and I go to the cafeteria to wait it out but the sight of the food makes me nauseous. Instead, we sit at a table in silence.

After a long time, my mom speaks. “He saved me.”

“Matteo was aiming at him. Not you.”

“I know. But we were in the way. Matteo could have easily shot me to get to Dante. I know how much Matteo hates him for what Dante did. Dante… put himself in front of you and me and ended up shot. I never thought I’d see a man like him be selfless.”

“I told him to apologize to you,” I say. “I said it was the only way we could make it work. I need him to make amends with you and he can’t do that if he’s dead.” Tears hit me all over again.

Mom takes my hand and holds it tight. “Shh. You’re ok. Everything is going to be ok. I survived. Dante can survive too.”

“I thought you wanted him dead.”

“I did. A part of me still does. But… I saw you fight for him tonight in a way I’ve never seen before. I was so proud. Even though I didn’t like seeing you shoot people. But you were right. I taught you all of that so you could defend yourself. I taught you to fight for what you believe in. You believe in Dante?”

“I do. He made peace, Mom. That has to mean something.”

She offers me a sad smile. “So… I guess there’s no going to America now, is there? If Dante survives, you’re going to marry him.”

“Yes. But then we’ll be at peace. I won’t be Dante’s prisoner. I can see you whenever I want. Everything will be good.”

“I want to believe you.”

“Trust me, Mom. Believe me. Dante didn’t brainwash me. He brought out the part of me that was always there. The part that was seeking freedom. I need you to see that. Please.”

“I’m starting to.”

I sigh, long and slow. “Just trust me. I know you’re not happy about Dante. I wasn’t at first. But seeing him on that table, covered in blood, I knew how I felt. I love him, Mom. I know it doesn’t make sense. But I love him. I want to be with him. I want to stop pretending like I don’t want to be with him.”

Tears well up in her eyes as she nods. “I see. I need time to process all of this. I have spent my life protecting you. And I’m scared of losing you to a man like him. But… if you love him… if you’re happy, then I’ll be happy. As long as we can have peace. As long as I get to see you. Dante better not hurt you. If he does, I won’t be happy with him.”

“I think he proved himself tonight that he has some goodness in him.”

“Some. I had hoped for more for you.”

“Mom.” I squeeze her hand. “I did too. But I can’t deny how I feel for him. I need your support.”

“And I’ll give it. I just need time to think things over. But you always have my support. Always.”

A doctor approaches us. One I don’t recognize. “Are you Sienna Lanza?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“I was told you were here in the cafeteria. I wanted to let you know that Dante is out of surgery.”

I jump to my feet as my heart pounds faster. “He is?”

“Yes. He survived the bullet. A strong man. We got everything out. He’ll be in pain for a while as his body heals but other than that, he’s healthy. The bullet didn’t hit anything vital. It’s a miracle, honestly.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s resting right now but you can go see him.” The moment the doctor tells me the room number and floor, I take off running. Mom tries to follow but with her own injury, she can’t.

I love my mom but right now, I need to see Dante more.