Page 47 of Dante

I blush, charmed by the nickname. “Why are you calling me that?”

“It’s appropriate with your sun-streaked hair. The name fits.”

I bite my lip. “I assumed you liked women with dark hair...”

“Never assume,” he says, walking over to embrace me. “I like this particular blonde.”

With that, he ruffles my hair like I’m ten years old.

When he puts his arms around me, I fold into him, breathing in his signature cedar scent.

With him, I’m safe.

Ciro turns on the water faucet, giving us the illusion of privacy.

I take a breath. I shouldn’t say it. It’s too soon. Dante’s not ready.

But after last night, with the gun and the mirror and the way he looked at me, I can’t hold it in anymore.

“I love you, Dante,” I say, looking up into his deep brown eyes.

He goes still. I see his jaw tighten.

Though his arms still encircle me, he doesn’t say it back.

He doesn’t say anything.

Then he releases me, and leads me into the living room.

My chest aches. I knew he wouldn’t say it. But I’d hoped.

“Look at that,” he says, gesturing to the city view window before us.

Overnight several inches of snow have blanketed Manhattan.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen the city like this. I wonder what the streets will look like?”

“We’ll find out tonight on our way to Silvio’s. And snow on the road will be the least of our problems.”

I turn to him. What does that mean?

After last night, I had forgotten about the Petrovs, the men who trailed me and Angie yesterday.

“Will they attack? Since we’ll all be gathered at Silvio’s, they could see it as their time to make a move,” I ask.

Dante shakes his head. “No. Not tonight. I’ve studied their tactics. They operate like a cat. They enjoy playing with their prey before consuming it.”

His face goes dark as he speaks these words. Seeing that the conversation has upset me, he forces a smile as he strokes my hair.

“I shouldn’t have told you anything about it. But I want you to learn to shoot a gun so you can save yourself if…”

“If what?” I ask, trying to make sense of whatever he’s not telling me.

He shrugs. Like it’s no big deal.

“If I get taken down first. If I’m not there to protect you. You’ll need to save yourself, Gina. No one’s going to come to your rescue, not if I’m down. Not even my most trusted soldiers. I’ve seen it happen. And I can’t blame them. They’ll run to save their own skins. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

“Yes,” I say, reluctantly. I’d just prefer to think it impossible for anyone to take Dante down.