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“The long answer is I don’t want to lie to you, but this is also something you need to do without question.”
My phone starts to ring, I see it’s Rayne, but I let it go to message. She tried to call me earlier, and I didn’t get a chance to call her back.
“Dante, you can’t just say things like that to me and expect me to be okay with it,” I say, putting a hand on his chest to push him back. “I know that being with you means that dangerous things will likely happen at some point in time, but the least I’d expect is for you to be honest with me about what that is.”
He presses his forehead against mine, taking a deep breath. “Mia, I never want to put you in danger, but this is the life I’m in. I’m never going to be out of thefamilia. Thatis why I stayed away from you, kept my distance. It’s why I chose not to be selfish with you, because deep down, I knew one day this would come, and you can’t know everything.”
I don’t like where this is headed.
Can things really be over before they even begin?
“Well fuck that,” I say, my finger now poking him in the chest. “If you think that I’m going to be just sitting on the sidelines like a clueless little bimbo who doesn’t question anything and does everything you say, then I’m sorry, Dante, but you picked the wrong girl.”
We stare at each other for a few moments. I don’t care what he says, I deserve to know, and if he thinks otherwise, then I will have to gather the strength to walk away.
I’ve spent the last six months trying to get to a good place and regain my confidence. I can’t give all of that up because I fell in love with a man who is part of the mafia.
His eyes crinkle as he begins to smile. His hands cupping my ass as I try to remove them. I’m not going to have this conversation while he touches me because we both know I’ll fold.
“There she is,” he says in a low voice. “The Michaelson spitfire temper, I should have known if your sister is anything to go by.”
“Well, get used to it because I won’t be kept in the dark. I thought we could always be honest with each other.”
His face softens. “Of course, we can, but I’m not going to tell you the ins and outs of the business that would put you in harm's way.”
“I’m not asking to know your business, but when you tell me to pack a bag and move my ass to the casino without explanation, that will be a problem.”
He kisses my nose. “I’m sorry,” he says. “I’m not used to…being this way with anyone. I’ve always had to be a certain way with my brothers, with the business I run, in every part of my life. I’ve never had a woman in my life I cared for like this, and all I want to do is protect you. This is the only way I know how. Forgive me?”
I relax a little, knowing that his words are genuine and I’m getting worked up without even giving him a chance to explain.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” I say, touching the side of his face with one hand. “I just don’t want to be left in the dark. I’ve done that for far too long.”
“There was a threat against the family today,” he says, his words paralyzing me. “The details you don’t need to know, but it’s to do with…your kidnapping… and the shipment.”
My eyes widen. I shake my head. I can’t go back there…I can’t.
Now I feel like a fool for going off like that when he knew for a fact this news would trigger me.
He watches me carefully, his eyes gentle and concerned as I bite my lip.
“The shipment? I thought all the girls were rescued.”
“There were drugs on the ship,” he says. “And they went missing. The Colombians think we took it, and now they want their money.”
I stare dumbfounded as he runs a hand through his hair, looking weary. It’s like he has the whole world on his shoulders, and I want to take all of that away for him.
“And they want to harm you by getting to us?”
He nods. “They blew up one of Angelo’s cars, the one you saw on the news.”
“Oh my god, Dante!”
He runs his hands down my arms, rubbing my shoulders. “We’re all okay, but Angelo wants everyone to be close and still be able to work. If we all reside at Fortress, then it’ll be harder with all the staff as well as the family. Plus, with Fortress being compromised, Angelo is making further plans to tighten security. You’ll be safe at the casino,little bird.You’ll be safe with me.”
I smile softly. “I’m always safe with you, Dante. I know that.”
He gives me a chin lift. “Did you pack a bag?”
