That from the two guys.
“He’s just a guy that used to work for me,” Dante says, not taking his eyes off my face.Except to glance at the door behind my back a couple of times.I’m enjoying seeing the fear in his eyes.
“But I don’t work for you anymore,” I say and turn to the two guys.“I wouldn’t be making any long-term plans with this guy, if I were you.”
From the corner of my eye I see Dante’s face turn as white as the gloves of the butler approaching our table.I think he sensed the tension in the air and is coming to stop whatever’s about to happen.The butlers here have a real nose for that kind of thing, since keeping things calm and steady is a big part of their jobs.I’d prefer it if it was Goldie here to calm me.But the truth is, I don’t need calming.I will enjoy serving Dante a very painful revenge and I want him to witness all of it.So I can’t kill him yet.
“Would you like us to bring two more chairs?”the butler asks me, but I shake my head.
“I was just leaving,” I say.“Just wanted to say hello.Might not get a chance to do it the next time we see each other.”
Dante is speechless, the two guys with him look totally confused, but the butler looks relieved as I turn to leave.
“Don’t you dare threaten me, Rovina,” Dante hisses as soon as my back is turned.Acting exactly like the coward that attacks from the back that he is.“I will crush you.Again.”
I glance at him over my shoulder.“Never again.And you should be afraid, Dante.Very afraid.The bill’s come due.”
I walk away and this time he doesn’t call out after me.
“I think he knows you’re coming for him,” Caputo says once we’re outside.
“I think you’re right.”
“And I think he’s very scared.”
“I think you’re right about that too.And that makes me very happy.”
I’m not even exaggerating.Seeing Dante tremble in fear filled me with joy like I haven’t felt in a very long time.Except with Goldie.The joy she gives me is still better.
And I want a taste of it right now.Can’t wait a minute longer.
Chapter19
GIANNA
Dinnerand the subsequent arranging of my laundered and dry-cleaned new clothes did put me in a better mood.After a while I even stopped beating myself up for it, deciding to just take Maria’s sage advice to heart.Make the most of every situation.Take the good.Disregard the bad.That’s pretty much what everyone in my family has been advising since I learned that I would have to make sacrifices for my family.Like entering a loveless marriage.Stay inside and not have much in the way of personal freedom for the rest of my life.Have children that would suffer the same fate as me.
And how’s that any different to the life I’m living now?
At least I’m with a man I thought I could love forever.
But I didn’t let my thoughts stray too far in that direction.Because in that direction lies all the blackness, hate and doubt, and I’m so tired of feeling it.
I fell asleep easily, and I was having the most pleasant dream.It was summertime and I was lying on my back in the water, looking up at the sky, at the pretty, puffy white clouds, enjoying it so much my whole body vibrated and pulsed in joy.
But I suddenly woke up to the darkness of the strange bedroom that is my prison.And Matteo gently stroking my hair.The feeling of joy from my dream didn’t go away.It intensified.
And that stung.So much I moved away from his touch and closed my eyes, wishing the dream would come back.
It didn’t, but he came closer.
His breath is hot on my cheek as he whispers in my ear, “Good, you’re awake.”
“I wish I wasn’t.”
But that’s not the whole truth.I also don’t want to be anywhere else but here.
He gives my cheek a soft kiss then moves back, his weight retreating to his side of the bed, so far, I no longer feel him in the bed beside me.
