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“Bambola,” Dante murmurs, pulling me back against him.
I pull at the ribbon that wraps around the blue box until I can get the lid off. Inside is a black birdcage pendant on a silver chain. I pull it up by the chain and watch the metal blink in the light.
“It’s beautiful.” I run my thumb over the smooth surface.
“You’ll always be mine, Serenity.” Dante kisses my head.
“Isn’t the wedding ring supposed to mark that?” I ask, putting the necklace on.
“Yes,” he says. “But I wanted something that tied you specifically to me. A lot of things happened in that cage, Serenity. I want something to mark the day this all started and how far we’ve come. You’re no longer a locked bird in a cage. You have the key now and can come and go as you please.”
Yes, we’ve come very far. I recall hating his guts while being secretly attracted to him at the same time. And as time went on, everything shifted.
It feels like everything happened for the best because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Well, maybe I’d rather be in a house instead of a safehouse, but as long as I’m with Dante, I’m happy. For once in my life, I feel safe, protected, and loved.
Chapter 16
Dante
Afteropeningtherestof the Christmas presents and breakfast, I tuck Serenity in bed with a hot water bottle and some snacks.
“I need to make a few phone calls, but I’ll be back.” I kiss her on the forehead before backing away and shutting the door behind me.
I walk down the hall and head to the small office. The computer is on and showing me Rico’s face.
“I want to bring Serenity home. Is everything okay on your end?”
“Yes, boss.”
He turns his phone as he tells me that he’s just cleaning up a bit from our interrogation with those two fuckers that shot at us.
I went to see them before I got those presents for Serenity.
Earlier That Day
One of the goons grunts as Massimo punches them in the face. Again.
“Why are you making this so hard on yourselves?” I ask, leaning against the table that sits behind me.
“They’ll kill us,” the other spits out, the bag still on his head.
Massimo has been pounding the guy whose bag we took off. We can see the blood all over his face and his eyes and lips swelling. Massimo has a fist made of rocks. I know, just based on the way he’s still upright, he’s holding back.
“Can you at least give us your names?” I ask.
The first guy spits blood onto the floor but otherwise stays silent.
We already know their names. Rico scanned their fingerprints, and, not to any surprise, they were in the police database.
Samuel Tuner and Joshua Banes. Caught in ‘07 for armed robbery, then in 2010 for the assault of two women, where they only got six months probation for some fucking reason. Then, out of nowhere, they disappeared until now. From what we can gather, the Donnelleys’ lawyer got them just six months, and after that, they got sucked into their world.
I take a few steps toward them. Placing my hand on Massimo’s shoulder, I let him know he can take a break. Panting, he takes a seat on another chair we brought in.
I lean down, my hands on my knees, looking Turner in the eye.
“I know you're scared of the Donnelleys. They’re some scary pieces of shit. But honestly, how much better do you think you’ll fair off here? You don’t think I’ll kill you both?” I grip Turner by the jaw, anger taking over me.
“You shot at my wife, motherfucker. You should be thanking me for keeping you alive this long.” I push his head back, release him, and stand up to my full height.
