Page 49 of Tesoro: Mayhem Makers

Dante spears his fingers through the strands of his hair, the memory of what it felt like came rushing back to me.

“My father told me to always go with my gut. I knew she would sense what you meant to me if she saw us together. So, Itucked a phone into your backpack, programming it so when you opened it, there would be a message to call me. Somehow, and I’ll never know how, Valentina found the phone and took it.”

“How do you know she took it?”

Dante drops his hand, letting out a deep sigh. “Because in my Family, anyone who means anything has something on them so we can track them. The tracker on the phone pinged from her location.”

“Then why did it take so long for you to come? It’s been almost two months.” Jumping to my feet, the intensity of the moment is too much and I need to distance myself from him. As I move to go around the coffee table, my knee hits my bag, knocking it and the contents to the carpet below.

I stand in horror as the positive pregnancy test lands atop a copy of my hotel bill.

There is no point in trying to hide it, Dante’s shocked expression tells me he’d seen it.

“You’re pregnant.”

It wasn’t a question, but the truth set free. I’d warred with myself on whether or not to tell him, it seemed fate made the decision for me.

“My baby.”

Again, not a question, and likely not meant for me to hear.

“I won’t lie to you, Dante.” Standing as straight and brave as I can. “I’m not asking for anything from you either. You can walk out that door and?—”

He’s on his feet and over to me before I can blink, his lips cutting off anything further I have to say. It’s as if the past two months were nonexistent as he dominated the kiss, his hands roaming my body as if trying to reacquaint himself with me.

“The only way I’m leaving this place is if you go with me.” His words are spoken between pants as his hands cup my face. “Ishould have said this before, but I will say it now and for the rest of our lives. I love you, Tesoro.”

Tears spring to my eyes as his confession echoes inside me. “I love you, too,” I whispered against his lips, a shared smile breaking between us.

“Angelo asked me to apologize for him, but I told him he could tell you himself when I bring you back to Boston with me.”

Earlier, Massachusetts was the one state I couldn't bring myself to think of, yet the one place I knew I needed to be.

“How is he?” I pull back, drifting my hands down his arms until I reach his hand where my fingers hit something hard. My gaze drops to the ring on his finger, a surprised gasp leaving my throat.

“It’s temporary,” he assures me, deep eyes pleading for me to trust him. “Angelo needs time to heal, to walk?—”

“He still isn’t walking?” I nearly shout, a myriad of possibilities as to why dance in my head.

“Not yet. The doctor says it's something to do with his nerves not touching or something.”

“Is he getting therapy?”

“We tried, but he has chased off the last six physical therapists.”

Stepping around Dante, combing my fingers through my hair. After I recovered from the shock of my pregnancy, Andi told me the hospital was forced to make changes in its workforce, due to budget shortfalls. She was given a decent severance package, and the promise of a glowing recommendation. Her mother was also let go, however she took it as a sign to finally retire.

“I know someone, she is the best therapist I know. She’s a hard ass, won't take shit from anyone.”

“If you say she’s good, then get her on the phone, see what it will take to get her to Boston.”

My heart warms at the thought of my best friend being in Boston with me.

“She’s on a beach in Mexico,” I laugh, thinking of how close I came to joining her. “I’ll send her an email and see if she is interested.”

Dante extends his hand, placing his fingers on my stomach. “I promised Frankie I would assure you my feelings toward you have nothing to do with Bellamia. I know Angelo told you his opinion of her.” Snapping his gaze to mine, “It’s the truth, everything he said is true. She did pressure me into marrying her, not because she loved me, but because of what I could give her.”

Dante licks his lips as he moves closer to me. “She was selfish and unkind. At first it was a turn on, having such a ballsy girl by my side. She took things to the extreme: sex, money and any power she assumed she had. I gave in, because the last thing I wanted was to admit to my father he was right about her.”

---