Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO CAME BACK
Dante survived.
The bullet had struck his shoulder.
The surgery was successful.
He spent several days in the hospital.
I remained beside him whenever I could.
On the third morning, he opened his eyes and found me sitting in the chair.
“You look angry,” he said.
I stared.
“You got shot.”
He nodded.
“Apparently.”
“You almost died.”
“I'm aware.”
I stood.
“You don't get to joke about this.”
His expression softened.
“Elena.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“I can't lose another person.”
He reached for my hand.
I hesitated.
Then took it.
Dante looked at me.
“I've spent my life believing that caring about people makes them vulnerable.”
I swallowed.
“And?”
“I was wrong.”
He squeezed my fingers.
“Not caring doesn't protect anyone. It just makes you lonely.”
I sat beside him.
He continued.
“I love you.”
My heart stopped.
He looked almost frightened.
Dante Vanel.
The man who could silence an entire nightclub by entering it.
The man who had faced armed enemies without blinking.
Was afraid of my answer.
I began crying.
“I love you too.”
His eyes closed.
For a moment, he looked relieved beyond words.
Then he whispered, “I'm sorry it took a bullet to make me say it.”
I laughed through tears.
“You're impossible.”
He smiled.
“So I've been told.”
I leaned forward.
And kissed him.
It was gentle.
Careful.
May you like
Nothing like the dangerous romance I'd imagined when I first met him.
It felt like coming home after years of being lost.
