The observation is so unexpected, so perfectly innocent, that I see something flicker in Dante’s expression. Something that might be surprise or pain or wonder.
“We do,” Dante says quietly.
“That’s so cool! Nobody else has eyes like mine. The kids at school all have brown or blue. But yours are grey like mine!” He grins. “Does that mean we’re related? Mama says people who look alike are sometimes related.”
Dante’s gaze flicks to me for just a second. I see the question there. The accusation.
Then he looks back at Luca. “Maybe we are.”
“Really?” Luca’s whole face lights up. “That would be awesome! I always wanted a…” He pauses, thinking. “What would you be? My uncle? My cousin?”
The silence stretches too long.
“We can talk about that later,” Dante finally says. “Right now, I bet you’re tired from your trip. Would you like to see whereyou’ll be staying? I have a big house with lots of rooms to explore.”
“Do you really have dogs? Mama says I can’t have a dog because our apartment is too small. But you have a house! Does that mean you have dogs?”
And just like that, the tension breaks slightly. Leave it to a five-year-old to ask about pets in the middle of the most terrifying moment of my life.
“I do have dogs,” Dante says. “Two German Shepherds. Maybe you can meet them later if your mama says it’s okay.”
“Can I, Mama? Please?”
“We’ll see, baby.”
Dante stands slowly, and when his eyes meet mine again, that moment of softness is gone. His expression has gone completely blank. Carefully, deliberately blank in a way that’s somehow worse than anger.
“We should go.” His voice is flat. “Let’s get you both settled.”
He turns toward the SUV without waiting for a response.
I pick up Luca’s hand and follow because what choice do I have? I came here for protection and now I’m committed to whatever happens next.
One of the suited men opens the back door and I climb in with Luca beside me. The interior smells like leather and expensive cologne.
Dante gets in the driver’s seat. The guards climb into a second SUV behind us.
The door closes.
We’re trapped together now. Me, Luca, and the man who just realized he has a son he never knew about.
10
DANTE
I changed my mind at the last minute.
Viktor arranged everything like I told him to—the private jet to Portland, the pickup, the flight back. He was supposed to handle the airport pickup alone while I waited at the estate, maintaining distance and control like I always do.
But I couldn’t.
The closer it got to the landing time, the more I needed to be there. I needed to see her face when she stepped off that plane. I needed to see the reaction in her eyes when she realized I was waiting for her.
So I called Viktor an hour before they landed and told him I was coming with him.
“Change of plans. I’m joining you at the airport.”
There was a pause, but no questions. “Alright, boss.”
