He blocks my view of the body, but a cursory glance and I can still see the fresh blood on the floor. My stomach roils, and Luca has his arm around my waist protectively.
“Whatever you intend to say, you can say it in front of Luca.” I have nothing to hide and while I don’t want Dante and Moreno’s involvement, Nova reached out to her father.
I had been hoping they wouldn’t show up, seeing as how Dante was pissed at me about going to the police after I stole that stuffed toy from his office.
“Good, then that makes this easier.” He steps closer, coming toe-to-toe with me.
I wrap my arms around my body protectively, rolling my lips together.
I never liked Dante, and that was before I learned that he worked for the mafia. The mere fact that he’s here tonight worries me. A man like Dante doesn’t show up and help without expecting something in return.
“Will you help us dispose of the gun and the body?” Luca asks, staring at Dante. His grip around my waist tightens just slightly. I’m not certain he even realizes that he’s doing it.
“You’re asking for a favor.” Dante’s wry smile seems to light up his face.
The man is never happy, least of all grinning.
But it’s short-lived.
“You’re here. You’re involved,” Luca cuts right to it. “If you’re just going to spectate, then get the fuck out of my house.”
Dante’s smile falters and fades. His eyes tighten as he glares at Luca. “Don’t forget who pays for this house.”
“Yes, I’m well aware of who pays for my scholarship,” Luca growls and steps toward his father. “Perhaps I should tell the others, so they’re informed of your little game—shaping their future.”
I glance between Luca and Dante.
“I only care about your future, son.” Dante reaches out, but Luca backs a step away, pulling me with him toward our bedroom door.
“Perhaps I’d be better talking to the root of this problem, your wife.” Dante turns his attention from Luca to me.
I inhale sharply, my bare feet on the cool carpeting. I do my best not to show any sign of fear. Dante is intimidating as hell. “Talk,” I say, trying my best to sound confident and in control.
“Right to the point,” Dante says and smirks. “Good. Now, let’s talk business. You need a clean-up crew and we’re here.” He gestures at himself and Moreno.
Exhaling, I can’t help but wonder the cost. “Convenient,” I say, trying not to show that I’m desperate for their help. It’s not like we don’t have three strong hockey players who could easily move a dead body, but I don’t want to tangle them up in this mess.
It was self-defense.
Hiding a body, burying it, are all acts of someone who is guilty.
But as Luca mentioned, the gun I used is the same gun that he used to kill Massimo, the man who had threatened Zeke. Two deaths, one weapon.
They could both be tied to Luca or to Luca and me. Either way, I wasn’t going to let Luca get locked up behind bars.
He wasn’t a villain any more than I was.
“Nova texted her father. Believe me, this is not how I intended to spend my evening,” Dante says. He glances down the hallway at the deceased. “You’re going to need clean carpeting and a fresh coat of paint. I will have the contractor we use out first thing in the morning. In the meantime, there is one final thing to discuss.”
“And that is?” I ask, waiting to hear what he’ll expect of me. “Is it payment? We can work out a payment plan, I’ll pick up some hours tutoring,” I suggest, hoping that will suffice for now.
Dante laughs under his breath. “It is payment but of another variety. You’ll come work for me.”
A chill runs down my spine. Is this what it felt like for Luca when he sold his soul to his father and agreed to work for him to protect me?
“And if I say no?”
“You won’t,” Dante says, a satisfied smirk on his face. He leans in. “We own you, Harper. You’re one of us now.”
