A grin slowly spread over his face. “If you can make it up there before I catch you, then I accept.”
My heart started to race as I backed away. “And if I can’t?”
“Then, as my future wife, I plan to give you a taste of what you can expect from your future husband.” I bit my lip, backing away as he let me create some distance between us. “You should start running.” He hummed, “Because I don’t intend to be a gentleman for round two.”
I only made it several paces before his strong arms wrapped around me, and I squealed as he hauled me up against his chest in a bridal carry. “That was cheating.” I breathed. “You didn’t even give me a chance.”
“I’m never letting you get away from me again, that’s a promise, Mrs. Kensington.” He chuckled gleefully, “God, that sounds good.” And I couldn’t help but agree.
CHAPTER 60
Keep Painting
CARTER
“I can promise you, no one from the organization will be ignorant enough to disregard the agreements that have been made.” Dante slid an envelope with several copies of the USB file across the desk with a wicked gleam in his eye. “Then again, people always surprise me.” He shrugged. “You have my contact card should you need my services for any futuredisposals.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” I was anything but thrilled to be so intimately connected with the mob.
“Really, I should thank you for the intel.” Dante looked all too pleased as he drummed tattooed fingers across his desk. “I must say, I had high hopes, but the contents of that drive have far exceeded my expectations.”
I scoffed, “While I’m grateful for your assistance in putting all this to rest… I still can’t figure out how you knew exactly where to find us.” I watched him over the rim of my glass as I polished off my whiskey. He was not the kind of man you let out of your sights. Not for a minute.
“Right place, right time.” He shrugged. “You know, I would certainly pay handsomely if you were to stumble across any other incriminating files. I imagine a man like yourself must have an orchard of blackmail, just ripe for the picking.” He cocked hishead. “Or perhaps you’d be more inclined to invest in the expansion of my business and maximize your profits.” He said brazenly, offering to go into business together.
“I’m not interested in continuing the work my father started.” I said, hoping there weren’t any other dangerous skeletons hidden in my father’s closet. “I have more important priorities.”
“Ah yes, your little spitfire with the strong arm.” Dante chuckled. “If it doesn’t work out between the two of you, perhaps?—”
My smile was flat as I leaned back, arm over the back of the couch. “You may have an army of men downstairs,” I mused, while Dante’s eyes twinkled, delighted I’d taken his bait. “But if you so much as blink inmy wife’sdirection, I’ll break your fucking neck.”
“Duly noted.” He chuckled with casual amusement as he rocked back in his chair. “But unfortunately for me, I doubt when I finally go, I’ll be lucky enough to have such a quick death.”
“I don’t envy your outlook on life at all.” I said, “Perhaps if you find someone ofyour own,” the words were biting. “Maybe that outlook would change. Love has a funny way of coloring your perspective on everything.” I admitted.
“Love.” Dante muttered, and adjusted the rings on his fingers, drawing my attention to the mottled scars all over his hands, the letters inked over his knuckles—Fate, and Lore.“Love is good for one thing. Making you weak.”
“Is that why you murdered your fiancé?” I watched him closely.
Something curious flashed across Dante’s expression but was gone an instant later, leaving only lethal darkness. “That is what they say.”
“Why do I get the sneaking suspicion that what they say isn’t even remotely true?”
“Careful.” He warned, “We wouldn’t want you making me out to be one of the good guys.”
“I think you’ve done that all by yourself.” Whether I liked it or not, I was now indebted to him, and he to me. He could have killed us that day, taken the blackmail and been on his merry way, but he didn’t. And in a curious unfolding of events, not only was The Society no longer my problem, now, a handful of very important politicians were about to bow to the whims of a very dangerous man. But Sara was safe, our future was safe, and the cascade of events that were about to unravel were no longer my problem. “In another life, I think I might have actually liked you, Dante.”
He nodded. “Perhaps you and I are cut from the same cloth.” I couldn’t help but wonder if he was partially right. Each of us born into our own worlds, doomed to uphold the expectations that were placed upon us the moment we were born. “But then again, I’m on this side of the table, and you’re on that side,” he mused.
“And yet, we both have blood on our hands.” I stood to leave.
“Ah, but you’re an optimist.” He murmured, looking like he felt sorry for himself. “I, on the other hand…”
I barked a laugh. “I’m curious why a man with as much power as you is playing a game he doesn’t seem to enjoy very much.”
“For the same reason you are.” He flicked a knife up into the air, catching it before repeating the motion. “People see what they want to see, and we give them what they want.” His hands slid behind his head, and the blade sunk into the wood of his desk, punctuating the end of our conversation.
“Thanks for everything.” I headed to the door. “And please don’t mistake my pleasantries for friendship.” I warned, “I meant what I said. I don’t care who the hell you are. If you so much as breathe in her direction, I’ll give you exactly what you expect—a nice, slow death.”
