Page 6 of Danica's Revenge

“I’m not just anyone, am I?”I try stubbornly to shift the brick house of a man more than double my size.An amused smirk forms across his face.

“Miss Matthews,” he sighs.“He’s not in a good mood.”

“All the more reason to let me in, Emilio.”

“Not today,” Emilio almost pleads, carefully putting a hand on my shoulder to push me away.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I say defiantly, looking him straight in the eye.I am not easily intimidated.Definitely not by Emilio either.I know he has a soft spot for me.

Emilio drops his arm immediately, jerking back from me.I take my chance and dart under his arm, slipping into the room before he can do anything to block me.

Dante is standing by the window, playing with his rings like he always does when deep in thought.As I barge in, he turns around quickly, an angry scowl flashing over his face.It softens when he sees me.

“I’m sorry,capo.I tried to stop her,” Emilio says sheepishly, remaining by the door as I waltz over to Dante, victorious.

“It’s okay, Emilio.I’m sure you did.You can go now.”Dante smiles warmly.

I throw my arms around him as Emilio closes the door on his way out.

“Good morning, darling,” I smile, reaching up for a kiss.

“Good afternoon to you too,” he winks, kissing me deeply as he lifts me off my toes, sweeping me up in his strong embrace.

“I was up all night studying, you know I have exams coming up.”I pout dramatically but he misses it, staring out the window again.

“So you say…” Dante seems distracted, distant.

“Your Zen garden is a mess.Where’s the rock?”I glance at his table.

He points to a spot on the floor across the room where the little rock had been flung.

“Again?It’s supposed to bring you calm.”I shake my head and pick up the smooth rock, putting it back in its sand pit.

Dante doesn’t say anything—he doesn’t even shrug.

“Emilio says you’re in a bad mood.”I hop onto his desk, completely disregarding the many actual seating options.

“Is that so now?I should give Emilio a talking to about what our trust agreement means…”

“Don’t be mean to Emilio.You know I’m very persuasive.”

“Oh yeah, especially when you wander around the house dressed like that.”Dante shakes his head but smiles despite himself.

“You said I should make myself at home…” I grin.“So, are we going shopping today or what?I still don’t have a dress for the banquet and it’s next week already.”

“I can’t today.There’s a lot on my mind.”Dante sighs heavily, cracking his knuckles.

“That tense, huh?”I ask, trying to hide my disappointment.

“I’ll make it up to you…”

I don’t reply, letting the silence hang between us.

This is no good.Dante gets nothing done when he’s this worked up.I know him well enough to know that.There is only one remedy.

“Lock the door,” I finally say, my voice slow and sultry, commanding.

The entire vibe in the room changes.

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