Page 33 of The Devoted Husband

“I didn’t want to disappoint you both yet again. I know you didn’t like me being with Dante, to begin with. Now, I’m having his baby.”

Ava wrapped her arm around Sade’s. “You’re a grown woman, and you’re allowed to make your own decisions. I don’t like how things played out, but I also don’t like how Imani treated you and Dante. She wasn’t being faithful to him, and it’s a good thing they are divorced.”

“How did Dante take the news?” Barron asked.

“He doesn’t know yet, and please, don’t tell him.”

“What are you waiting for?” her grandfather continued.

“I planned to tell him when he first returned, but Atlas ruined that. Now, I have to wait until he’s over that before I can tell him about the baby. I don’t want anything to taint or ruin the news.”

“Well, we won’t tell him, but I think you should tell him about Atlas.”

“I agree,” Ava said.

“I’d already mentioned Atlas to Dante after what happened at Urban Air, and he said he would look into it and handle itif need be.” Barron paused and stepped directly in front of his granddaughter. “Either call the police or let Dante handle it.”

With a nod, Sade surrendered to the fact that Atlas had her beat in the crazy department. He was beyond her control, and she couldn’t handle him herself.

Though Sade assured her grandparents she was okay, Ava insisted she rest for the evening. By the time she made it to the second movie with Nila and Mila, someone knocked softly on the door.

“Come in,” Sade said, pushing herself up in the bed.

Excited squeals escaped the twins when Dante walked in. The white lilies in his hand softened Sade’s heart. They were her favorite. Nila and Mila rushed over to him, each giving him lingering hugs. He caught up with them both before Ava called for them. Dante took slow steps in her direction, giving her time to take in his handsome features.

His wide frame. The tattoos that covered his chest and arms...She’d forced herself to forget how handsome his caramel brown-hued face was. How captivating those shiny eyes were. Clearing her throat, Sade forced herself to look away.

“Grandpa called and said you needed me,” Dante said, handing her the flowers. “What’s going on?”

“Thank you.” Sade lifted them to her nose and smiled. His simple gesture of bringing her favorite flowers had already lightened her mood. “I figured he’d call you, but he said he’d give me time to do it on my own.”

Dante chuckled as he slipped out of his shoes. She watched as he undressed down to his boxers before slipping into bed behind her. The moment his arms wrapped around her, all the noise in her head was silenced. In his arms, she always felt secure enoughto shut down her heart and mind. In his arms, she always felt safe.

Turning in his embrace, Sade tossed her leg over him, and he immediately molded his arms around her. Dante placed a kiss on her temple before slowly rubbing her back up and down.

Sniffling, Sade lost herself in the peace and comfort that she never felt with any other man...including Atlas. On Dante’s chest, in his arms, that was where she truly belonged.

Sade hadn’t planned to fall asleep, but she did. When she woke up, the sun had gone down completely, and she was still in Dante’s arms. Sitting up, she looked around the room, then down at him as he watched a low-volume video on his phone.

“Hey, sleepyhead.”

Smiling, Sade yawned. “How long was I out?”

“Two hours.”

“Jesus. I’m sorry, Dante. I’m sure you have more important things to do than lie here with me.”

“Nothing is more important to me than you, Smiley. Now, tell me what’s going on.”

Dante exited the TikTok app and set his phone on the nightstand beside the bed. He sat up next to her and took her hand into his.

“It’s Atlas. He’s been stalking me.”

“Seriously?” His grip tightened on her hand. “Like...for real, for real?”

Sade sniggled and bobbed her head. “For real, for real. He’s used my phone, email, and car to track me. There were also cameras and microphones in my hotel suite. That’s why I’m here. I’m staying here until my apartment is ready because I don’t feel safe there anymore. I feel...way too exposed.” Hereyes watered, and she tried to blink back her tears, but they fell anyway. “I’ve been intimate with that man, but this...This is a vulnerability I never wanted to feel with him or anyone else.

“He’s watched me do things no one should be privy to without my permission, which shattered me. I ended up having a panic attack and passed out.” Wiping away her tears, Sade confessed, “I don’t know what to do, Dante. I don’t know how to stop him. I feel like I’ll only be able to get rid of him if I leave Memphis, but I don’t want to.”

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