His eyes hold me hostage.
There’s something electric about tonight, like anything can happen.
“I’ve never been more uncomfortable in my life,” Enzo mutters. “I’ll have my dessert in my room.”
He leaves with his takeaway container a moment later. Neither Dante nor I stop him.
“Chocolate,” I say, glancing down at the plate of molten chocolate fondant between us. It’s paired with vanilla bean ice cream.
“I think we checked every food item off your mother’s restricted food list tonight,” Dante says.
I dig my spoon into the chocolate cake. The chocolate is so rich that it makes me moan a little. Dante’s eyes immediately darken.
Some of the chocolate gets on the corner of my lips. I wipe it with my thumb and then bring it to my lips. I fasten my eyes on his as I suck the chocolate off my thumb.
His eyes zero in on the movement.
I like teasing him.
Something about being in Paris and being drunk on wine makes me bold.
The lights of the city have made a home inside me. And this soft glow feels like it’s here to stay.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” I say. “But you have to promise you won’t get mad.”
His lips twitch in amusement. “I promise.”
“What are we doing in Paris?” I ask.
Some of the light fades from his eyes. He glances down at the dessert between us.
"We're here to meet some people," he says.
He looks deflated. I want to drop it, but I push through my instinct to be a people pleaser.
“What is it about?” I ask.
He keeps his eyes on the chocolate fondant.
"Does it have to do with your sister?" I ask.
His eyes snap to mine. "What did you say?"
"She's still alive, isn't she?"
DANTE
My blood starts poundingthrough my ears, nearly drowning out the question she just asked me.
There's an ache in my chest. I'm familiar with it. I learned to live with it. But it's back now, and it demands to be felt.
"What do you know about Ida?" I ask.
Grace blinks at me. “Ida. That’s the name tattooed over your chest.”
"Yes," I clip out.
"Have you been trying to find your sister all these years, Dante?" she asks. "Is that the reason you started working for your Don in the first place?"
