Chapter 12 - THE MAN WHO WALKED AWAY FROM HIS EMPIRE
Dante's decision to leave the criminal side of the Valerio organization nearly destroyed him.
Several associates refused to cooperate.
Some threatened retaliation.
Others attempted to seize assets while the financial investigation continued.
Dante retained independent counsel and began cooperating with authorities regarding the records his father had hidden.
He understood that cooperation did not erase his own responsibility for past decisions.
He would still have to answer for them.
But for the first time, he was willing to.
Selene watched the transformation cautiously.
She had no interest in becoming the romantic reward for a dangerous man's redemption.
She wanted a partner who could choose honesty without needing her to supervise every decision.
One evening, they sat on the terrace of a small rented house outside London.
Dante had come to visit after another difficult meeting with his attorneys.
"You've been quiet," he said.
Selene looked toward the garden.
"I'm thinking."
"About?"
"Whether you know who you are without the syndicate."
Dante considered the question.
Then smiled sadly.
"Not yet."
She turned toward him.
"That's the most honest answer you've given me."
He laughed.
"I used to have better answers."
"You used to have more expensive ones."
He laughed again.
Then reached toward her hand.
"May I?"
She nodded.
He held it gently.
"Selene, I don't want you to feel responsible for changing me."
"Good."
"I mean it."
She looked at him.
"Then prove it by building a life you would still choose if I weren't in it."
Dante nodded slowly.
"Fair."
They sat in silence.
Then he said, "I think I'd like to learn something."
"What?"
"Languages."
Selene smiled.
"Which one?"
He considered.
"Something difficult."
She laughed.
"Ancient Greek?"
"How difficult?"
"Very."
"Perfect."
May you like
Selene leaned against him.
For the first time, their future felt like a possibility rather than another dangerous negotiation.
