Then he turns and walks out of the kitchen.
I hear him climb the stairs to change.
I hear the shower turn on, the sounds of a man preparing for a day that could end with him dead or triumphant.
I finish my coffee and rinse the cup.
Then I clean up the breakfast dishes and wipe down the counter.
The routine tasks keep my hands busy and my mind from spiraling into worst case scenarios.
Dante comes back downstairs twenty minutes later dressed in dark clothes that make him look every inch the criminal he is.
He carries a jacket over one arm and he stops in the kitchen doorway and looks at me.
He's terrifyingly sexy and he's all mine.
And there isn't a thing I wouldn’t do for him now.
"I'll call when I can," he says.
"Okay."
"If something happens, Rico knows what to do. He'll make sure you and Sofia are protected."
"Nothing's going to happen," I say halfheartedly, but that little voice in my head says,Never say never.
"But if it does…."
"I know. Rico will handle it."
He nods and walks toward the front door, and I follow him and Sofia appears at the top of the stairs.
She runs down and throws herself at Dante's legs and he catches her and lifts her into his arms.
"Be good for your mother," he says.
"I will. Will you bring me something?"
"Maybe. If you're very good."
She grins and he sets her down.
Then he looks at me one more time.
His expression is tense but his eyes say everything he can't put into words.
He loves me.
He's going to fight like hell for us.
And if he doesn't come back, he will make sure we're cared for.
He opens the door and walks out.
I stand in the doorway with Sofia beside me.
We watch him get into the car with Enzo.
