Page 55 of Toxic

She shrugs. "Commitment issues? I don't know."

"They aren't you. I keep looking for someone to shock me and replace you, but they never do. I'm not a stupid teenager anymore. I'm not losing you again. And this time, I'm going to be everything you need. So all I need to hear from you right now is that you'll give me a chance."

She pins her eyebrows together. "I'm not ready for this. I-I need time to think. I don't want this pressure right now. My entire life is falling apart again. The only thing I need to focus on is protecting my kids."

It's not what I wanted to hear, but at least she didn't tell me no. "Tell me who you're protecting them from."

"I can't. Stop asking me."

"I'll protect you and the kids."

She shakes her head. "Drop it. I'll never put my children in harm's way. Stop asking me about it."

I sigh and lean back, debating about pushing her some more and decide against it. She doesn't trust me right now. "I'll drop it for now, but someday you're going to tell me. And just like that thug who was on you last night, I'm going after whoever it is that is scaring you."

Her eyes widen. "Last night? What are you talking about?"

I pull out my phone and show her photos of Michelotto naked and chained up in our dungeon. "He's never leaving this place. What I did to him this morning is only the start. I'm stretching his life out as long as I can."

She gapes at me then swallows hard.

I tug her closer to me and lock my gaze on hers. "Let me be very clear. No one, and I meanno one, will ever hurt you again. So when you're ready, you're going to tell me whoever it is who's scaring you. I'm going to take care of them. You're mine, Bridge. From now on, any man who lays a finger on you or threatens you is creating their own death sentence. And I won't show mercy."

11

Bridget

My chest squeezes tighterwhen we approach the gates to my father's house. I remove Dante's hand from my thigh and turn toward him. "Thanks for lunch. I'll see you later."

He grunts. "You're killing me, dolcezza." He idles the car and rolls his window down then nods to the guard. The gates open, Dante drives through, parks in front of the steps, and turns the engine off.

"What are you doing?" I panic.

"Going inside to talk to Sean and Fiona."

"Dante—"

"You aren't changing my mind." He opens the door and gets out.

I close my eyes, attempting to regulate my breathing and reduce the heart palpitations I'm suddenly having. The sound of my door opening snaps me out of my trance. Dante reaches in for me with his self-assured expression.

I sigh, realizing there is no point in arguing, then take his hand. The moment I'm on my feet, I let go. He puts his hand on the small of my back and guides me into the house.

My father meets us in the entryway, eyeing us over. "Dante, since when are you on charity committees?"

My stomach flips fast. Of course my driver would have filled my dad in on where I went. I shouldn't have assumed anything else.

Dante chuckles. "Sometimes it's in a man's best interest to get involved in things that are unexpected, don't you think?"

Dad's gaze darts between us again then lands on Dante. "Does this have anything to do with last night's events?"

My face heats, embarrassed my father knows I was at the club and with Dante. And I suddenly hate the fact that my fear of my children's safety has allowed him to keep such tight tabs on me. The last thing I need is for my father to know I slept with Dante. I blurt out, "Did the kids get home okay?"

My father hesitates before removing his focus from Dante. "Sean's working out. Fiona's in her room."

Before I can speak, Dante starts walking toward the gym and claims, "Great. I wanted to talk with Sean. See you later, Bridget."

I'm relieved the situation is diffused but slightly uneasy about him talking with Sean. Plus, I want to avoid my father inquiring about anything else where Dante is concerned, so I nod and hightail it to Fiona's room. Taking a deep breath, I knock on her door.

---