Chapter 24- Truth and Lies
Lucia Night had fallen over the city, casting Dante’s penthouse in shadoses and secrets. I stood in his private study, the flash drive from Mark heavy in my hand as I waited. The room still held traces of this morning’s passion – a slightly askew lamp, papers not quite perfectly aligned on his desk. Evidence of moments when coutral slipped
When the door opened, Dante moved with that lethal grace shas made him so dangerous. He’d loosened his tic, rolled up his sleeves–small
concessions to the late hour that somehow made him more intimidating, not less
“You wanted answen.” He poured two fingers of scotch, offering me a glass. “Ask.”
1set the flash drive on his desk. “The warehouse meetings. The witness who changed their story. The accidents that keep happening to your opponents.” I met his dark gare steadily. Tell me the truth, Dante. All of.”
He studied me over the rim of his glass, calculating risks and rewards. “You might not like what you hear,”
Try me.”
He moved to the window, city lights painting shadows across his perfect features. “Power isn’t maintained through boardroom meetings and campaign speeches Sometimes requires darker methods.”
“Did you have that witness threatened?”
“No.” He turned to face ne. “Thad their family’s substantial gambling debes erased. In exchange for their cooperation.”
“And the warehouse?
“Insurance.” He smile held no humor. “Against certain elements who might dampt the campaign. Or threaten what’s mine.”
Like Mark!”
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes. “Your artist is alive and well, isn’t he? Despite he… Interference.”
“For now,” I moved closer, refusing to be intimidated by his presence. “But what happens when he releases those photos? Those fizicial recorda?”
“Nothing happens to him.” Donte’s voice dropped lower, more intimate. Because you’re going to convince him not to release them Aren’t you,
Hem rushed to my face as I realized the truth. “You knew. About the gallery, abour Miranda’s photo you knew everything”
“I always know where you are.” He set down his glass, closing the distance between us. “Who you’re with. What threats need to be handled.”
“That’s not protection,” I said, even as his proximary made my pulse mee. “That’s control.”
Is there a difference? His fingers traced my jaw, somehow both possessive and beneder. “In our world!”
“There has to be.” But my voice shook slightly as has touch awakened memories of this morning of passion and possession and promises made with bodies instead of words.
“Does there?” His this brushed my lower lip, making me shiver “Tell me something cara–when you defended me to Mark, was it because you understood the necessity of what I do! Or because something in you need to believe Im not the monster he thinks 3 ame
I defended you because he was wrong. The words came hot and fast, surpring us both with their intensity. “He sees everything in black and white, good and evil. But our world. our world lives in the shadows beveen.
Something shifted in his eyes- surprise, respect, desire. “And you’re comfortable in those shadow?
Tma Valentini.” I lifted Liny
Chevented those shadows.”
His laugh was low dangerous. “God, you’re beautiful when you embrace your power,” His hands seuled on my hips, pulling me closer. “When you Hop pretending to be something you’re not
“Like what” My Fingers found the buttons of his shirt, needing to touch skin. “The perfect political wife? The reformed mafia princes
“Like someone who doesn’t want this as much as I do.” His mouth captured mine in a kiss that tasted of scorch and secrets and something darker. Something the dangerously like truth.
I should have pushed him away. Should have demanded more anseers about his business dealings, his methods, his carefully calculated plan. Instrad, I found myself pressing closer, lening him devour my protestt with kisses that fell like confession
“We should stop this” I whispered, even as my fingers traced the defined planes of his chest. This isn’t solving anything “
“No His lips brushed my temple, deceptively gentle. “Then why does it feel like the only honest thing between c
The trails of his words stung more than any accusation. In a world built on careful lies and strategic moves, these moments
oments of raw desire were perhaps our only reality.
Yes. Because somewhere between the contract and the chans, between his control and his protection, between his darkness and his unexpected moments of tenderness. Disiaried to crave him. Need him Trust him
“Dante…” His name came out like a prayer or a curse as his hands found bare skin.
“You operate in shadows,” I breathed against his skin, “but you’ve never lied to me about who you are. What you’re capable of.”
“And yet you’re still here.” His voice held a note of wonder beneath the desire. Knowing everything I am, everything I do…
Chapter 24 Truth and Lies
“Maybe that’s what terrifies me most.” My nails scored his back as his touch grew bolder. “Not your darkness, but how comfortable I’ve become living in it.”
I should have been angry at his arrogance, his presumption. Instead, I found myself arching into his touch, letting him daim me against his desk for the second time that day.
Later, as we lay tangled in the aftermath, my head on his chest listening to his heartbeat slow, I finally asked the question that had been burning sino the gallery.
“Would you really have hurt him? Mark?”
want the diplomatic answer? Or the truth?”
His fingers traced patterns on my bare hack, surprisingly gentle after such passion. “Do you wa
“Since when do you do diplomatic
His laugh rumbled under my cheek. “Fair enough. The truth is, if he threatens what’s mine – my family, my empire, you – then yes. whatever i necessary.”
I pashed up on my elbow, studying his face in the dun light. “And that doesn’t bother you? The violence! The manipulation“”
“Does it bother you?” He traced my swellen lips with his thumb. “You’ve seen what I am, what I do. Yet here you are, in my bed, defending me to your artistic ex–lover”
“I defend what’s mine.” The words slipped our before I could stop them
Something Girror and possessive flared in his eyes. Before I could react, he had me pinned beneath him, his mouth claiming mine in a kiss that felt like ownership
“Say that again.” he demanded between kisses that stole my breath and my resistanc
“No.” I smiled against his lips, enjoying the power held over him in this moment. “Your ego’s big enough already”
He nipped my lower lip in retaliation “Careful, cars. Or have to remind you exactly who belong to whom here.”
“Power suits you,” he murmured, tracing the curve of my hip. The way you handled the gallery situation pure Valentini grace with Romano ruthlessness”
“Is that a compliment or a waming-
“Boch. His smile held shadows and promises. “You’re becoming exactly what this empire needs.
“A perfect political wife? The words tasted bitter.
“No.” His eyes met mine, standingly sincere “An equal,”
The word hung between us, heavy with implications either of us was ready in face. Because equals didn’t need contracts Didn’t count down mombs until freedom. Didn’t guard their hearts behind walls of carefully crafted indifference
“Lucia.” His voice held something I wasn’t ready to name. “The contract-
“Don’t.” I pulled him back to my mouth needing to mop whatever truth he was about to reveal.
