Page 68 of Skating Towards Danger

“Do I like that you can kill someone with no remorse and little motivation? No,” I admit, and he snorts, “Little fairy, she had a gun at your head and was ready to take you to the docks and kill you. What more motivation do I need?”

I tut at him, “I wasn’t finished,” and he smiles, and I continue, “Do I understand that this is who you are, that you were brought up to be a certain person in a world I have no clue about? Yes. I know she had a gun to my head, and I know you saved me. I’m just in shock, Dante. I mean, that was a lot, the past month has been a lot.”

“Doesn’t answer my question though, baby. Are you scared of me?” he asks again, and I sigh, placing my forehead against his.

“I’m not scared of you,” I admit, “I love you, Dante, and I know you’ll never hurt me. I just need time to understand your world, especially after that happens right in front of me.”

He nods, “I can understand that, and I swear I won’t make it a habit, little fairy. I want to skate and be with you, so hopefully, the killings will be far and in between.”

I smile and close my eyes as he continues to skate, enjoying us being this close.

There’s just something about the ice and the person you love…

After a few minutes of silence, Dante murmurs, “I want at least four kids with you,” and I chuckle.

“Can we at least enjoy each other’s company before we plan kids?” I confirm, open my eyes, and lock with his.

He hums, “Maybe,” so I admit for the first time, “Can I skate professionally for a few years first, then?”

He halts on the ice, making me gasp and grip him, and his eyes race between mine. I smile and nod because, yeah, I want to skate professionally.

I want to make him, my parents, my little brother, Uncle Rocco, and Aunt Tyra proud, but most of all, I want to make myself proud.

I’ve been lost for so long, and I think I’m ready to be found again.

“I love you, little fairy,” he murmurs before pressing a small kiss against my lips. I whisper back, “I love you too, player,” and kiss him with passion.

He may be a killer, he may have been a player, but he’s mine, and I’m his. He brought me back from the brink, and I’ll forever feel grateful he got forced into my life.

Chapter 29

Dante – Two Months Later

I rub my hands together as I watch Paige slowly take deep breaths standing beside the ice, wearing a silver leotard with a long skirt that has a slit to it and her white skates.

Her hair is down, and she has more makeup on than I’ve ever seen on her. Her eyes are dark blue and smoky, making the gray look darker.

She looks fucking beautiful, but I can feel the nerves she’s radiating from here as Morgan gently squeezes her hand.

Rhett is standing beside me on one side and Roman on the other, and our friends and family are sitting in the full stands, waiting for the announcer to announce her.

Today is the tribute show, which is being held halfway through the Panthers and Bears game. Whoever wins will face us.

Paige has worked her ass off, practiced every day in between her shifts at the diner, a place she refuses to fucking quit.

She can now do the whole routine without falling apart until she’s off the ice, but she’s still struggling. When she gets announced, hearing her mother's name and the crowd cheering, she’ll struggle—I just know it.

“She’s got this,” Rhett mutters and Roman nods beside me. “If she can come back after watching you kill someone in front of her, then she can do this,” he not so helpfully continues, and I groan, making Roman chuckle.

I honestly thought I lost her that day.

Seeing Caz hold a gun to her head, fuck me, it was gut-wrenching, especially knowing the fucking bitch probably is what made her go down the fruit loop train. I couldn’t control my demon, he took over, seeing the fear in my girl’s eyes, and well, slicing her throat felt fucking good, like a good punishment for threatening to kill my wife until I realized said the wife was in front of me and witnessed the whole thing.

I’m a fucking idiot, a lucky one at that.

For two months, we’ve gotten closer. She doesn’t look at me with fear but with love, and it’s a look I refuse to lose, meaning I haven’t killed anyone else in front of her and don’t come home covered in blood when Roman needs my help.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer states over the surround sound, “please welcome the owner of Jaguar Arena, Greg…”

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