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"Jasmine, thank God you're alright," Dario breathes out, cupping my face in his hands. "I was worried when you didn't answer my calls."
"Sorry, I was just… caught up with some stuff," I lie smoothly, avoiding his searching gaze. "What's going on?"
"Something urgent came up," he admits, his jaw clenched. "I have to leave for a meeting right now, but I wanted to make sure you were safe first."
"Of course," I say, forcing a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. You should go take care of whatever it is you need to do."
"Promise me you'll stay safe?" he asks, his eyes pleading with mine. As much as I want to turn away, I can't help but be drawn into the depths of his concern.
"I promise," I reply, swallowing hard. It's a promise I'm not sure I can keep, but it's one I'm willing to make in order to ease his mind. "Just go."
"By the way, Jasmine, I don't want you to go back to your place just yet," Dario insists as he stands in front of me, his hands on my shoulders. The warmth of his touch sends shivers down my spine, and I struggle to keep my focus on the matter at hand.
"Security measures are being planned to be put in place as we speak. I will discuss them with you when I return. Until they're ready, you need to stay here," he continues, concern etched in every line of his handsome face.
"Alright," I say, nodding reluctantly in the interest of time. "But only until everything is sorted out."
"Thank you," he breathes, relief washing over him. He pulls me into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around me like a protective shield. For a brief moment, I let myself sink into the comfort of his hold, feeling both safe and trapped at the same time.
"Alright," he says with a sigh, pulling me in for a lingering kiss. The warmth of his lips sends shivers down my spine, and for a brief moment, I allow myself to get lost in the comfort of his embrace.
But as we break apart, reality comes crashing back down – along with the knowledge that every second spent by his side is another chance for my cover to be blown.
"Stay safe," I whisper, watching him disappear into the city streets, his tall frame swallowed up by the crowd. A sense of foreboding settles over me as I stand there, alone on the sidewalk – acutely aware that our paths may lead us to opposite sides of a looming battle.
Chapter 14
The Unseen Guardian
Dario
I glance down at my phone, once again reading Marco's cryptic message as the chauffeur drives me to the compound. “Come to the compound now. The Don Marchetti needs you. Troubled negotiation.”
I had planned to spend the afternoon with Jasmine and learn all I could about her apartment to ensure I could get the necessary security protocols put in place before she returns home, at least until this ghastly ghost business solves itself.
But then, Marco texted and duty beckons. I wonder why my father needs me in this situation. The Don is more than capable of handling any and every negotiation. I wonder who happens to pose a problem.
In the meantime, I've had to leave Jasmine all alone in my apartment. I pray she keeps safe and feel partly guilty for leaving her to fend for herself.
I silently promise myself that I'll find ways to keep her secure once I return tonight. She deserves nothing less, having never signed up to be involved in this mess.
And I like to clean up the mess I make.
Stepping out of the car, I take a deep breath and brace myself for whatever delicate situation waits for my urgent attention inside. The familiar scent of old wood, leather and musk hits me as soon as I enter my father's large, ominous office.
The walls are adorned with blades, guns, and animal skins; scary and threatening things my father calls ‘little trinkets’. Leather furniture fills the room, giving it a sense of colonial charm.
Soft light filters through the window, illuminating the dust particles swirling in the air from the carpets being stepped on.
And then I see the last scene I expected to stumble upon.
Frank Bonanno stands beside my father, Don Marchetti, each of their men lingering nearby. As our eyes meet, a rush of anger washes over me – he's the one responsible for the chaos that erupted at the masquerade, putting Jasmine in danger. I clench my fists, struggling to keep my temper in check.
“What is he doing here, after the chaos he caused?” I demand.
Frank sniggers and shrugs his shoulders. “It was all fun and games, Dario,” he antagonizes me further. “No one got hurt, did they? No harm, no foul.”
"Sit down, Dario," my father commands in a slow, steely drawl, motioning to the chair opposite him, bringing an end to this argument. I look at him and he holds my gaze, warning me to stay within his rules. I clench my fists and comply, not letting Frank out of my sight.
