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Dante and I had history. I needed to know why he threw it all away to follow his father's bidding when he hated the man. What could he have possibly been promised that would have kept him from me?
I'd get my answers one way or another. And then I'd lock him to me in every way possible, so he'd never be able to leave me again.
An hour was all I managed to stay gone for. And even then, it was just long enough to grab the things I knew I needed from my place. I'd parked my car a few streets over from the house Dante was staying in, so I was surprised when I saw the car that had been sitting outside their place pass me. I eased back into traffic so I could follow from a distance.
Once I realized their destination, I took a few backstreets to park close enough to the meetup to walk the rest on foot but not so close I'd be spotted. At the building where most of the Romano deals went down, I climbed the fire escape ladder on the backside of the building, then I creeped down the hall to look over the ledge. I kept mostly tucked away, though it was dark enough that I didn't think anyone could see me if they tried.
As I knew they would, Dante and Ricardo showed up shortly after I did. I watched them negotiate the deal with something close to awe. Dante was clearly the leader, and the way he forced them to give him firm answers on the timeline had my cock tenting inappropriately in my pants. It had been years since I heard his voice, yet it still had the same effect. I wondered if it would be the same for him. Would hearing me speak bring him the same amount of pleasure it once had?
I climbed down as they concluded business and went back to my car. The sun was high in the sky at this point, so I needed to work harder to not be spotted. The shadows were my playground, and I used them to my advantage.
By the time I got back to where I was set up to watch Dante, he and Ricardo were parking in the garage. I watched lights turn on inside, but neither man did much. I went back over to the window to see if I could get a peek inside. I found no sign of Ricardo, but Dante was watching a laptop screen like it held the secrets of the universe. It wasn't until he shifted enough for me to see that it actually did.
There on the screen sat a perfect view of an office I recognized instantly. Dante's father had taken us there numerous times to teach us the ways of the business. He wanted to make sure we were ready to lead future generations so as to not tarnish the Romano name.
How had Dante gained access to watch the office? And what was his plan in doing so? Did he hate his father as much as I did? Or was this merely for protection and I was thinking all wrong?
I waited a little while longer to see if Ricardo would be coming back out. When there continued to be no sign of him, I went to work gaining access to the house. I'd been surprised at how lax the security was the last time I came by. This time around, I felt something more akin to frustration.
My boy shouldn't be so unprotected. He had to know there were people out there who wouldn't blink at taking him out to end the Romano line.
The ease with which I entered the house had my anger damn near boiling over. I stalked into the area where Dante sat watching footage of his father. I could hear the snores coming from down the hall to let me know Ricardo was already asleep. They were the only two people here based on the intel Memphis had and from my own observations.
As I approached, I saw Dante's body turn tense. He knew I was there.I didn't stop my approach. I couldn't, not with him so close.
In a flash, he turned to look at me. Having that gaze back on me after going so long without it was like relapsing into an addiction. The high was mighty, and I only wanted more.
"You're not supposed to be here," he said, his gaze a mix of shock and happiness.
I moved even closer, my body almost within reach of his. He didn't move, didn't breathe. It was like he couldn't decide to flee or leap towards me.
The needle in my hand shook as I brought it to his neck. I wished there was another way. Hurting him, even with something so small as a pinprick wasn't ideal.
His eyes went hazy as the drug quickly took effect. I leaned forward, my voice calm as I whispered, "Don't worry. Daddy's here. I've got you."
* * *
It was surprisinglyeasy to remove Dante from his new life. Not one single person crossed my path as I took him to my car and buckled him in. He slept the entire way to the safe house location Tank had sent me that was two hours away. It was far enough to be out of reach, yet close enough for us to get back if need be.
I suspected we'd be back in about a week if Dante had his way. My boy was never one to back down from a challenge, and I had a feeling his father was his greatest challenge yet.
Dante slept all the way through to the safe house. He was out cold, a fact I was thankful for when I truly thought about it. Him putting up a fight, no matter how small the chance, wasn't good for appearances should someone happen to pass us.
Once I checked the house and made sure all was well, I went to retrieve my sleeping boy. He was heavier now, all that muscle making him more solid than before. It still wasn't too hard to carry him. I'd just need to start upping my weights if he still enjoyed me carting him around like he did at twenty-two.
I walked him to the master bedroom of the safe house where I eased him on the bed. He barely stirred as I took off his shoes and covered him up. I was tempted to remove more of his clothing, but I thought it best to wait.
While I hoped he had missed me as much as I missed him, there was a part of me that knew those chances were slim. He had been gone for far too long and likely lived a full life while away. We were young when he left. Maybe he'd wake up to be furious at me.
Part of me didn't believe a word of the negative thoughts I'd told myself. That same part was sure that Dante would wait forever for me if it meant there was a chance we'd be reunited.
All I could do was wait and see. The drugs had to move through his system before he'd wake up completely.
I pulled up a chair to the side of the bed. As much as I wanted to pull him to me, I needed to be on alert, and I knew the moment I snuggled up next to him, I'd sleep better than I had in ages. It was a losing situation that I wouldn't risk. Not until I knew his stance on being taken.
Tank had warned me to switch out phones before leaving the city, so not even the constant noise of my work phone could distract me. It was utterly quiet in the cabin as I watched over my boy.
The time dragged on, yet at the same time it wasn't long enough. I took in every new feature about him I could while he rested. The curve of his nose and the cut of his jaw. His muscles and hair. Everything felt different, yet I'd swear I already knew every detail. The picture Memphis gave me hadn't held a candle to the real version of him.
