Page 141 of Wicked

“Today, I made changes to my fashion business. It will allow room forus.If you will allow anus.”

I watch Dante closely, and for the first time, the confident modern warrior looks unsure. Dante, the perfectly cool, calm, and graceful man under pressure is even nervous.

The man who stood up to the Italian mafia is nervous…

Over me.

“I worked hard, and I worked every waking hour for a decade. I never stopped, and I built my fashion company, Celestial, to…”

“You mean Celestial? Celestial Fashion?” Dante nods. “Celestial is yours? But that’s worth like ten billion.”

“Actually, a little more. Anyway, I’m sorry for keeping it from you. I just like keeping it on the down low. It effects some people, even if I now know it wouldn’t change you.”

Our eyes hold.

“Today, I decided it’s too big to be run by one man. Especially if he was say… busy… or a family man.”

What?

What is he saying?

“Or if he was married.”

Oh my God!

“On the way here, I made some changes, and I even bought a company.”

My mind moves fast, and I piece it together. “Was that you? You who bought the travel company and fired my…”

Dante twists the Ray-Bans now in his hands. “Maybe.”

My heart jumps. He does love me, and he is protecting me.

“I put a team in place to run my company, and I decided to step down as CEO. It’s too much for one man. I have other things I want to do now.”

Dante steps towards me, and he is now only feet away.

“Like?” I ask.

“Like building a family. Like worshipping the woman I love. Like supporting her in things she wants to do… And keeping her happy. At home, or say near a beach, on an island.”

Our eyes hold, and I shed a tear. It itches my cheek, but I ignore it this time.

There is that strange magic swirling around us again.

But he’ll hurt me again, won’t he?

Whether I like it or not,us, our spirits, are sparking again, and the anger in me is evaporating.

“I’ll need to think about it,” I say, lifting my chin.

Dante looks serious, and he lifts his chin. “I’m not here to negotiate, Raven. You’re mine and I want no other in the world.”

“Hang on a minute,” I say, my eyes flashing.

“Baby, I don’t want to live without you,” Dante says, coming closer. I step away and my back hits a coconut palm. I have nowhere to go.

Dante holds my face in his hands, and he is gentle and soft.

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