Page 65 of The Prices We Pay
It takes Luca and me all of two seconds to recognize the familiar handwriting, and Joe even less. It’s a plain envelope with Dante’s name written across the front. No return address.
“Shit,” Joe murmurs. And all the joy that was in the room minutes ago evaporates into thin air.
“Open it,” Luca commands as he moves to stand behind Joe, wrapping his arms around her protectively. I move toward them, and once I reach her, I intertwine my fingers with hers.
Doing as he’s told, Dante opens the envelope and pulls out a white piece of paper. Unfolding it, his eyes scan whatever is written. It only takes him a moment, but once he’s done, I watch the entire demeanor of his body change from tense to menacing in a split second.
“What does it say?” Joe murmurs.
“Hope you’re better at protecting her than you were your men.” Dante’s eyes look solemn as he looks up at Joe. “For her sake.”
33
Josephine
From behind me, I feel Luca grab something from his pocket. A second later, I realize it’s his phone when I hear Sebastian’s voice. “Hey, Baby. What’s—”
“Seb. Dante got a letter.”
Sebastian’s silent for a moment, likely trying to understand what Luca’s talking about. But when he does, I can practically hear the sound of him sitting up straight in his desk chair, followed by the sound of computer keys. “Fuck. What time?”
“Not sure. Andy said it was dropped off at the front desk this morning.”
“Okay, I’m on it. I’ll have the information when you guys get here. She there?”
“Yeah, she’s here.”
“Hey there, Love.”
“Hi.” My voice sounds shaky as the word leaves my lips.
“We will figure this out, okay?” The softness of his voice slightly soothes my frazzled nerves.
“I know you will.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Thanks, Mio Re.” Luca pockets his phone and brushes his lips against my ear. “I think it’s time we opened those letters, Vita Mia.”
I sink against him and squeeze Enzo’s hand tighter, all while keeping my eyes on my gentle giant across the room, who currently looks anything but gentle. I know Luca’s right. “I’ll go to my apartment and get—”
“No,” all three of them say in unison.
Right. “Can one of you take me there so I can get them?”
“All of us will go,” Luca commands, leaving noroom for argument.
“But the magazine buyout… Don’t you have a million and one things to do?”
Luca places a chaste kiss on my cheek before slapping my ass and walking toward the door. But before he leaves, he calls over his shoulder, “Closed the deal while the three of you were in here slacking off.”
Enzo snorts, “More like jacking off.”
Despite everything, we all burst into laughter, even Dante.
“Meet you at the elevator in two minutes,” says Luca’s retreating form.
Enzo kisses my other cheek before heading to his office. Dante grabs my bag and heels. Setting the bag down, he kneels in front of me; he carefully slips each one on my foot. Once he’s finished, he wraps his arms around my waist and buries his face against my stomach. The softness of the moment is such a juxtaposition to the murderous look that was on his face mere moments ago. I rub my hand along the back of his head as he mumbles against me, “I will protect you. I swear it, Joe. I’ll keep you safe.”
