Page 95 of Vicious Souls

He holds my hand as we make our way up the wide stairs and he nods at the guards at the front door. He’s made some major changes to the house. So much so that you would not think it was the same house that had been standing here a mere few months ago. The changes start with the huge entryway door, which has been replaced by double doors in black steel with a keypad on a side wall. It’s modern and sleek and beautiful, and it tells me Dante has gone to extreme measures to ensure this fortress will not be infiltrated ever again. He reaches up and scans his palm to the system, then enters keys in a selection of numbers, before the doors swing open and we’re standing in the foyer.

“My God,” I breathe, a hand flying to my neck in surprise. He’s totally overhauled the foyer. From the stairs going up to the first floor, down to the balustrades. A huge chandelier drops down into the foyer, flowing fragmented light on every surface. Everything about the house seems to have changed, down to the tiles, and I’m amazed at the sheer volume of work that’s been done in so little time.

I take a few steps into the foyer, circling my own shadow as I wonder where to look. The house looks immaculate, with no visible remnants of the horror that once took place here.

“We can hire staff once we’re ready to move in,” Dante says, his hands in his pockets as he walks towards me. “That is, if you want to live here.”

“What about Seattle?” I ask him. Even though I’d love nothing better than to move here, we’re both based in the city. How will moving a two hour drive to the countryside benefit either of our businesses? Dante gives me a lavish smile that melts my heart.

“What about it?” he asks, like he has not a care in the world. “We can work from anywhere we wish to do so. And if we do need to go into the city, the helicopter’s always on standby,” he informs me.

I open my mouth to ask a question, then smack it shut, realizing there is nothing I could ask that hasn’t already been thought of.

“Let me show you upstairs.” We make our way up the winding staircase, Dante gripping my hand as he pulls me along with him. My eyes are flicking every which way trying to take in the changes in the decor, and I’m mesmerized by what he’s created.

He leads me to his room, opens the door and waits for me to enter. Everything about it has changed. Every little corner has been re-designed to accommodate even the most discerning eye. The room has been done in beiges and different hues of brown with gold undertones. The ceiling has been turned into a mosaic of light wooden tiles and beams that mesmerize and lend the room a light, airy vibe. There is a huge industrial print hanging on the wall behind the super sized bed, and all I can think of is blissful tranquility. There is a bench at the base of the bed and a sitting area off to one side of the room. I can see the ensuite and walk in on the other end of the room, and I can tell he’s knocked out a couple of walls to make the space larger than it had previously been. It’s become a self-sufficient suite with everything one could ever need.

“This will be our room,” he breathes, his soulful eyes devouring me whole. “You can change anything you like.”

“I love it.” I’m breathless. I’m shattered. I’m bedazzled. Everything he’s done is perfect, and I couldn’t have done a better job.

He walks me to what used to be my room, and opens the room to a flood of light and warmth and color. He’s stripped the whole room and converted it into a nursery. Even though we haven’t discussed children, I know we both want them, and I love that he was thoughtful enough to prepare for this eventuality. On one wall, there’s a huge mural of a jungle with various animals peeking out from behind the foliage. It is the most amazing artwork, and I can’t stop looking at it.

“I thought we could furnish it together when the time comes,” he tells me, and I love that he wants us to do that together.

“We can,” I agree, reaching up on my tip toes and placing a chaste kiss on his forehead.

His arms come around my waist and he pulls me to him, inhaling deeply as he clings to me, his hands sliding down my back.

“This was Rollo’s room.” He tucks me under his chin. “They ruined this room for me when they took you. Rollo would be happy that we’ll be filling this room with new memories.”

80

DANTE

I’ve built a helipad on the roof. There’s a chopper ready to go any time of day or night. There are drones flying over the property at all times dropping intel into Pietro’s cache so we’re prepared at all times. Claymore is preparing a battalion of ex Navy Seals to join the household staff after we get married – everything from security and bodyguards to chefs and maintenance. Everyone hired to work on the property will have some form of military training. I will accept nothing less.

We could have so easily taken the chopper back into the city. Left the car and flown by air to be back home in record time. Instead, I’m selfish enough to want more alone time with King. We travel down the gravel road away from the house, and I try to take in King’s excitement over the work done on the house without thinking about stopping the car and undressing her right here and now. I’m constantly surprised by how much I want her. Every second of every minute of every day, she consumes my thoughts and pulls at my heartstrings. But I remind myself that she’s still healing from the knife wounds she sustained-a gash against her palm and one against her side.

“Do you have a timeline for the wedding?” she asks me.

“The sooner the better.” I don’t need to think twice before answering. I can’t wait to make King my wife.

“What’s happening up ahead?” She frowns in confusion as she takes in the look on my face after taking a quick turn at a bend in the road.

Up ahead, there’s a road block that wasn’t set up on our way into the county. We’re on a stretch of narrow road that doesn’t see much traffic, that’s surrounded on either side by ditches and doesn’t allow for much maneuvering. I slam on the brakes and the car banks in a short roll until we are less than ten feet away from the road block. The engine is still running. I assess the merits of putting the car in a quick reverse when I see the road crew drop their signs and bring out guns. And from beyond the chaos of the road block, the furious vision of Tate as he walks down the middle of the road towards us, cocking a rifle and aiming it directly at us. King inhales sharply and out of the corner of my eye, I see her hands go to her seat as she presses herself into the leather and waits for the inevitable to happen.

Tate has his rifle pointed at the car. He is crazed beyond measure, his icy eyes fixing on King in anger. He is surrounded by loyal soldiers who are on his side today. I realize it was foolish of me to bring King out here without protection, and I need to think fast to get us out of this situation.

“Stay in the car,” I tell her, unbuckling my seat belt. I’m armed. And I may be on my own facing twelve other men who are armed to the gills, but I’ll be damned if I die a coward’s death or go down without a fight. “Slide into the driver’s seat - if all goes to hell, reverse out and get out of here, King."

“Dante, don’t,” King pleads, pulling on the corner of my coat as I turn away from her. I throw her one last look, memorizing every plane of her beautiful face, before I turn and push my door open. Before I step out of the car, I pause, trying to shut out her pleas and throw her one of my own, “I will always love you, King.”

“You dumb motherfucker,” Tate sneers, when I step out of the car.

He’s unhinged, deranged. And I know full well that a man in that condition is unpredictable.

“I’m the one you want, Tate. Let King go.”

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