Page 87 of When Sinners Fall
“I say I do, and my choice is this. This is the line, Dante. I’ve seen it, I’ve experienced it, and I don’t want to again. I will do everything you ask of me for safety. I won’t challenge you on that front ever again. But I don’t want to know the details of everything you do. You promised me there would be no other women. That was my first line, and you seemed pretty fucking clear that’s not what you’re into. So, that’s it. I’ve met some of your family, and I can meet the rest, but I will turn the other cheek. I will close my ears or stay out of the room if you’re talking business.” I wait to see what his reaction is.
“You’re not going to change your mind?”
“No.”
He scrutinises me with his stare, looking me up and down. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because anytime I’m curious, I’ll close my eyes and remember the image of you stabbing that man in the face. I’ll remember the sound of you afterwards. I’ll remember Abel standing in front of me to shield me.”
“Fucking, Abel.”
“No. Don’t. Please. He told me to respect it, and I do in some ways.” I step forward and place my hands on his arms. “I’m so grateful that you rescued me. Please don’t think I’m not. But I don’t think I really appreciated the situation until I was in it. And now I’m trying to figure out how to get back to normal.”
“There is no normal between us, Wren.”
“I’m starting to believe that.” My voice is quiet. “At the beginning, everything was exciting.” I start talking, trying to explain to Dante. And maybe, putting words to my feelings will help me, too. “I don’t like the ordinary. I don’t want normal. Hell, you could never think we’re normal with the way we started.”
“I was there, Wren.”
“But all this, it’s too far. It’s not a fantasy for me now. It’s real, and that changes things. It’s not make-believe, and the violence isn’t the excitement that I’m attracted to.”
“What is it that you want?”
“I want to go back to before yesterday. I want the excitement back, and I want that dark edge that we had at the beginning. But I won’t be a prisoner in my life because I’ve fallen in love with you, Dante.”
The scowl is still deep in his brow, but I see the swallow he does as he stands firm and listens intently.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I question.
“What else do you want me to say?” He’s acting like this isn’t a big deal.
“It’s not as easy as just saying okay.”
“It is. I’m all in, Wren. And I’ll give you what you want as long as it doesn’t put your safety at risk.”
I look up at him, shocked at his reaction. “It can’t be that easy.”
“It is. Especially with the words you just said.”
“Which words?”
“You know exactly what words you just said, Wren. Don't play with me.”
I nod and keep staring at him, perhaps waiting for him to take control of the moment. Last night I couldn’t let him touch me, and I’m terrified that being intimate with him again will only bring back memories. It’s hard not to be affected by Dante’s confidence and surety, though. “I do love you.”
He steps forward an inch or two, bringing us back together but still not touching me. “Despite everything?” he murmurs. There's a glimmer of the boy I once knew in those words. They're unsure, and wanting - no needing - confirmation.
So I reach for his face and slide my hand over his cheek. “Yes, Dante. Despite everything.”
CHAPTER TWENTY - NINE
DRAGON
Afew days have gone by since he took her from me, and I can’t help but feel aggravated as fuck still. Everything’s a threat. Maybe it always was, but now, and after what’s happened, I’m wired and ready to kill anything that comes near her. She cries in her sleep. She walks less confidently. She even flinches when she’s not expecting me near her. I’d probably like that last one if it was because of me. It isn’t, though. It’s because of the world I’m in and the problems it’s caused her.
I look up at Darius Hepez and Carlo Triaga, keeping my stare fixed and deadly. I had Hepez flown in last night from Mexico, and Carlo has been around us for years. They’re two of the most loyal men we have working for us. Both killers. Both ready to defend our position and family on all fronts should we ask it of them. This time, and for as long as I choose, they’re going to protect my Wren Bird. They’re gonna do that with their life if they need to. Every goddamn step she takes will be shadowed. Every journey will be driven for her. Every moment accounted for. She might not like that, but until I’m feeling less aggravated, that’s the way it’s gonna be.
