Page 33 of Danica's Revenge

“Besides, we need to be there for Luca.He’s going to have a tough time when he comes out of rehab.”

“He can go to hell, he—” Dante clenches his fists, anger flashing across his face.

“He’s all you have.We’ll look after him.”My voice is soothing, slow.

“He doesn’t deserve it.”

“No, but we’ll do it anyway.It’s what your mother would have wanted.”

Dante’s face softens and he unclenches his fists.“You really haven’t chosen an easy life, have you?”

“No, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,tesoro.We are a team now.”

“Forever at your service, my Queen,” Dante picks up my hand and kisses it.“Whatever you want.”

“Well, now that you mention it.There is something I want…”

“Don’t say it.”

“I’ve been dying to all day.”

“I know.Don’t,” he threatens, but I can see a smile starting at the corner of his mouth.

“You know you can’t stop me,” I grin.

Dante sighs, feigning annoyance.“Fine.Just do it.I’m impressed you got this far without mentioning it.”

“It’s because I whispered it to you in your sleep before you woke up.So many times,” I smile victoriously.

Dante shakes his head, smiling.“You’re an absolutely crazy woman, you know that right?”

“But you love me anyway?”

Dante just laughs and doesn’t reply.

“Happy birthday, baby.”I stand on my tippy-toes and pull him closer for a kiss.

“How many times do I have to tell you—I don’t do birthdays?”Dante smiles when we finally break our kiss.

“Too many times.You still came on this trip, didn’t you?”

“I can’t believe I let you drag me all the way to Greece.”

“It’s beautiful though.Look at all this,” I gesture to the magnificent room around us, the beautiful palms and ocean view through the wide doors of our honeymoon suite balcony.No expense was spared—the way it always is.

“Sure, the view’s not bad,” Dante admits, pulling me closer again.“Thank you for insisting.”

“So, I got you two things for your birthday…” I wink.

“Danica!”he scolds.

“I know, I know.I promised no presents.But trust me, you’re going to like this.One will be annoying to get home but the other one…Hmm…” I tease, disappearing next door to retrieve the gifts before Dante can protest any further.

“Firstly, for your Zen collection.”I pull a small, elegant bonsai tree from behind my back and hand it to him.“I know how much you like gardening.”

Dante smiles.“Is this because of my temper?”

“I’m not saying that.But I would like to stop finding those little Zen garden rocks on the floor, hey?”I wink at him playfully.

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