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We now have full time guards stationedeverywhere.
She smiles and holds out a vibrant, purple orchid in a pretty white pot. “I figured you could use it to cheer up the place. Not that it’s not cheery, but you know since you don’t have the Christmas tree anymore and—”
“It’s perfect, thanks so much Maisy.” She hands me the beautiful plant, and I set it on top of the kitchen island. It does bring some color to the uber-modern black and white of the penthouse. Maybe I can put some lights on it.
“Yes, thank you, Maisy.” Even Dante gives my friend a smile.
Since he refuses to let me out of the penthouse, our girls’ night was happening here with my personal bodyguard. I escort Maisy to the sitting room while Dante shuffles around the kitchen. “White or red, Maisy?” he calls out.
“Red, please.” She folds down onto the leather couch, admiring the sprawling scenery of Central Park. “This view is amazing.”
“Isn’t it? I can’t wait for the summer. I’m totally going to sunbathe on the balcony.”
“Over my dead body,” Dante grumbles from the kitchen.
“Ignore him.” I wave a dismissive hand. “How are you doing?” I couldn’t imagine having to stay in that big house by myself after what happened. Which was why I’d invited my friend to hang out over here.
“I’m okay.” She shrugs. “I didn’t sleep a wink last night though. Every time I close my eyes I seehim.”
“Oh, Maisy, I’m so sorry. I should’ve asked if you wanted to sleep over yesterday.”
Dr. Mark, a.k.a. Maisy’s ex-husband Jasper, had somehow managed to escape in the chaos of the shipping yard. With all the personal drama Dante and I have been dealing with, we haven’t even had a chance to deal with the surgeon at large.
“It’s okay, I’d hate to be the third wheel.”
Dante strolls into the living room with two glasses of wine and sets them down on the cocktail table.
“No way. Maisy is totally welcome to stay with us, right, D?” I throw my almost fiancé a pleading look.
“Yes, of course,” he mutters. “I just hope you’re not a light sleeper because Rose is quite a screamer—”
I leap up and clap my hand over his dirty mouth. “Stop!” A dark chuckle vibrates Dante’s chest, and I shoot him a narrowed glare. “You’re terrible.”
“But you love me anyway.” He presses a chaste kiss to my lips, and already I want so much more.
“I do, I do love you, Dante Valentino.”
CHAPTER51
MY QUEEN
Rose
“Really, Dante? A month-long vacation in the middle of the school year?” I glare up at the infuriating man as he waves plane tickets in front of my face. “And what about work? I can’t just abandon Dr. Winchester or my clients at Palestra.” I chug down the rest of my coffee and drop it down on the kitchen island.
“I already told you, you don’t have to worry about that anymore.” His dark brows furrow like I’m the insane one.
That’s been his answer to everything these days.You don’t have to worry anymore. It’s been a hell of a long week since Dante’s half-brother, Nico, threw our lives into turmoil. Besides all the kidnapping shit, Dante and I had a lot of personal things to work through. When I first found out what he’d done to Stella, it was all I could think about. Then being held at gunpoint and fearing for not only my life, but also Dante’s, put some things in perspective.
I didn’t think I’d ever be able to forget what Dante tried to do, or evenpretendedto do to Stella. He’s sworn to me back and forth that he never intended to go through with it, that he would never force himself on a woman. And I believe him, but just the fact that he used that as an intimidation tactic is what killed me. Especially because of what I’d been through.
I talked it out with Stella a few more times, and then with my therapist. I don’t excuse what he did, I never could, but you also don’t just stop loving someone because they did something unforgiveable in the past.
And gawd, I love Dante more than anything in this world.
“Good, so you agree to the trip then?” His voice interrupts my whirling thoughts, those dark eyes glistening as they regard me.
“I didn’t say that.” I lift a challenging brow and flash him the back of my hand. “I still don’t see a ring on my finger.”
