Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO NEVER TRUSTED ANYONE
Over the following week, Dante and I met several times.
Always in public.
Always with Orion.
The dog seemed determined to remain beside me.
He followed me from chair to chair.
Rested his head in my lap.
And refused to leave until Dante called him repeatedly.
One afternoon, I laughed.
“Does he always behave like this?”
Dante shook his head.
“Never.”
I scratched Orion's ears.
“Maybe he just likes me.”
Dante studied us.
“Maybe.”
I looked at him.
“Why is that so surprising?”
He hesitated.
“Orion was trained to protect.”
I smiled.
“He can protect and enjoy affection.”
Dante's expression changed.
For a moment, he looked almost sad.
I frowned.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
I studied him.
Then asked, “When was the last time someone touched him without being afraid?”
Dante looked at Orion.
He didn't answer.
I looked back at the dog.
Then whispered, “Poor baby.”
Dante laughed.
A real laugh.
Brief.
Unexpected.
I stared.
He stopped.
“What?”
I smiled.
“You should do that more often.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Do what?”
“Laugh.”
He looked away.
But I saw the corner of his mouth lift.
May you like
And for the first time, Dante Moretti seemed less like a legend.
More like a man.
