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Something dangerous flashed across his face. “Yes. But these men were just foot soldiers. There’s still work to be done.”
It took me a second to realize what he was talking about. “You want to wipe out the whole family?” I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was. Taking out a few foot soldiers was one thing, but the entire family? We’d have the commission come down on our heads faster than a bullet could leave the barrel.
“Is that a problem?” He sneered. I didn’t recognize the man in front of me. I’d seen snippets when we were questioning Marcus, but this? This was a monster that had been kept in a cage. And now it was finally free.
I stepped closer, my heart in my throat. “Dante, this needs to stop. We can deal with the Rocco family and what they’ve done, but after speaking with the Commission.”
Dante laughed, the sound sending a chill right through me. “You think I give a shit about the Commission?” He shook his head. “This isn’t any of their business.”
“No, but it’s my business.” He frowned. “You’re my husband, Dante. You don’t think that your actions would come back on me? On my family? On Killian?”
Bringing his brother up was a long shot, but I hoped that there was at least a shred of the old Dante still left inside. I still hoped he would care about the one family member he still had left.
It was a gamble, but it worked. Something cracked beneath the cold surface, a flash of pain that was here and gone too quickly.
I tried again, stepping closer. “Come home, Dante. Please. I’m begging you. Come home with me.” I approached him like one would a wounded, wild animal. My voice was soft, pleading, my steps gentle and slow.
Dante tensed, ready to bolt, but he didn’t. He stood there as I came closer until we were nearly nose to nose. My umbrella dropped to the floor as I reached for him, capturing him in my arms before he could run.
“Please, come back to me,” I whispered. “Please, Dante.”
His arms snaked around my waist, locking me in place. Burying his face into my shoulder, I could feel his shoulders shaking, the sobs that refused to be released. Closing my eyes, I tried to take the pain away. Kissing his cheek, I brushed the wet curls from his face.
“Let’s go home.”
TWENTY
DANTE
Ilet Sienna drag me back to the car, not even caring if I got blood on the leather seats of the Lincoln. Her driver, Vincent, didn’t bat an eye, though I could see him glancing back at me in the rearview mirror every few minutes. I knew it wasn’t the sight of blood that had Vincent on edge—not when he’d been a part of the Rosania family for so long. No, it was me. I was the one he felt he needed to watch.
The thought almost made me smile until I remembered the why. My body tensed beside Sienna, feeling her thigh pressed against mine. Undoubtedly, she’d heard the rumors, but tonight she’d seen for herself what was done. What I had done. I couldn’t tell whether or not I was disgusted with myself or disgusted over the fact that she saw the monster I’d tried so hard to keep on a leash.
I had my father to thank for that. All those years spent in hiding, I hadn’t just been sitting around. My father had sent me out week after week, month after month, to torture and kill our enemies, to threaten those who refused to pay or follow the rules in our territories. He’d carefully honed an obedient dog. Or so he thought. Clearly, this past week had taught him he couldn’t control me. And I didn’t know if that put me at the top of his kill list yet or not. If I was in his position, though, I knew the rabid dog would have to be put down eventually.
Sienna was probably thinking the same thing. I could tell by how she bit her lower lip in fear and how white her knuckles were as she still gripped the soaking wet umbrella. I watched the rain drip from the fabric one by one, disappearing into the black floor of the car. The tension in the car dragged out, making it nearly insufferable.
No one said a word as Vincent finally parked in the underground garage. Sienna stayed silent in the elevator, and I watched as the numbers ticked by above the door. When they finally slid open, I followed her to her apartment, waiting as she turned the key. The rain had done little to dampen the scent of her perfume. I closed my eyes just as the door opened, breathing her in.
When the door was finally shut, Sienna turned to me. The umbrella clattered to the floor, her eyes never leaving mine.
“I know you’re still hurting.” Her voice was soft, as if she were trying to calm a wild animal. Maybe that’s what I was to her now. It made me…angry. “But if you have to get it out, take it out on me.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking for,” I growled.
For a second, fear flashed in her eyes as she stepped back before remembering her words. As I stalked closer, Sienna held her ground, refusing to be frightened. The monster inside liked it. It wanted her to be unafraid, just so it could show her what true fear was.
My fingers slipped around her throat, drawing her closer.
“What do you want, Dante.”
Her skin was warm as my lips brushed against her neck. “I want what’s mine,” I said simply. “What’s always been mine since the first time I laid eyes on you.”
I wanted so many things. I wanted to kiss her until she couldn’t breathe. To fuck her until she screamed my name. I wanted every single inch of her skin to be marked by me, so everyone knew who she truly belonged to.
“Then take me.”
My gaze snaps to hers, questioning. Her answer was solid, sparking as our eyes made contact. Her lower lip quivered, but that was the only sign of fear she allowed to show. I ran my thumb across it, stopping the trembling. Fear didn’t look good on her.
