Page 52 of Pain and Pleasure

He kisses me softly, but I feel his anger in the kiss still. I rest my head into his neck, breathing him in. I can’t imagine what all he saw. I don’t want to ask anymore. His admission was enough to put me into a state of shock. We are quiet for a moment, just sitting on his bed and breathing each other in. I never want this to end, I never want to leave his side. Mostly because I love him, but also because it’s safest for me here.

“Where are we going?” I ask quietly, pulling back to look at the small smile on his lips.

“Vegas, baby,” he says before kissing my nose.

Why Vegas?

“Any particular reason why?” I ask.

“Because it’s the city of distractions. And I know a friend who owns one of the luxury hotels. He owes me a favor,” he says and I nod at him.

“Vegas it is,” I say, and he smiles.

“Vegas it is. Now come here and let me love you.” He spins me and places my back on the bed, kissing from my chest all the way down to my toes.

It feels good as usual, but my mind is lost. It wanders to dark places. Places that are cold and empty. Places filled with strangers that want me dead. Places that I can’t see Dante in.

* * *

It’s four o’clock in the morning and I’m changing into a dark green, shift dress after I step out of the shower. Dante has taken the liberty of packing my bags for me and bringing them down to be loaded into the jet that will be here in ten minutes. I hear a knock on my door as I step into my heels, shocked to see that it’s my mother and not Dante. She looks healthier than usual, but she also looks scared.

“I overheard the men last night when I was doing dishes. I’m so sorry, Emmie. This is all my fault. I’m the reason this monster is even tracking you.” Tears fill her eyes and I rush to her before pulling her into a fierce hug.

“None of this is your fault, Mom. You didn’t ask for this man or for him to attack you twenty-one years ago. If anything, what you did that got us here with Dante was the safest thing for you to do. In a way, you saved us.” She scoffs and pulls back, dabbing at her eyes.

“I’m anything but heroic. I could’ve done more. I could’ve hidden you from him, taken you away somewhere, but instead I was busy neglecting you, tormenting you.” She’s sobbing now, her body shaking.

“You had your own demons, Mom. It doesn’t matter anymore. We’re here. We’re here and we’re alive, okay?” I wipe at her tears, and she nods slowly, looking into my eyes.

“I love you so much, kid. I’m sorry I never showed you just how much.” She sniffs and I smile, holding her hand in mine.

“We’re here now, Mom. I love you too. I’ll be back in a few days. I promise.” She nods and gives me a hug before walking out of the room.

I follow her down the stairs, meeting Dante and his siblings at the bottom of the staircase. Gabriela is not wearing any makeup today and she still looks like a princess. Oscar has a cigar in his mouth as usual, but he smiles at me. I can see that it’s genuine, so I smile back.

“The jet is here now. Be safe and let us know when you arrive. Benjamin and Andres will be coming with you,” Oscar says from around his cigar, clapping Dante on the shoulder.

They follow us outside, it is dark but I see the sun creeping beyond the horizon, ready to emerge. Gabriela gives Dante a small hug and pulls back to offer me a small, fleeting smile. I guess she must have had a good night's sleep because she’s not acting like a total bitch today. I’ll take it.

I hear the jet before I see it, it’s descending from the sky and the grass blows rapidly beneath it. Dante grabs my hand and walks me to it as Benjamin and Andres trail behind us with our luggage. We step inside and all sounds from the outside are blocked out. The interior is cream colored and nice, and the seats look comfortable enough to sleep in. Dante walks the two of us to the back before closing a large partition, sitting me down in a seat and ringing a bell before he sits across from me.

A stewardess appears moments later, carrying a tray of steaming espresso cups and plates that smell of delicious eggs.

“Eggs benedict for you both. Please let me know if you need any cream or sugar for your espresso.” She smiles at us and Dante thanks her before dismissing her, leaving us alone to eat our breakfast at the table between us.

I sit back after a few bites, my stomach full of nerves so not much food can squeeze into it. I take a sip of espresso and sit back in my chair, staring at the earth below us as we fly.

“The flight is just under an hour. We should be there and checked into our room by seven. You can rest in the meantime,” Dante says before sipping his espresso.

“I’m too nervous to sleep,” I say, not looking at him as I speak.

“I know a way to ease your stress, mi ciela,” he says, his voice rich and smooth like chocolate. I snort at him.

“As much as I would love to join the mile high club with you, I’m afraid not this morning.” I try to tease him, but fail.

You can hear the stress and worry in my voice. It’s unmistakable. Dante reaches across the table and grabs my hand, rubbing his thumb back and forth across my skin. It calms me slightly, but the worry still stretches along the inside of my veins.

“He won’t get to you, Esmeralda. I won’t let him. You’re mine and I’ll make sure of it. Forever.” I turn my head towards him when he whispers the last word, my eyes wide.

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