Chapter 6 - The Choice Dante Couldn't Buy
Two months later, Elena walked into the Velvet Lounge.
Greg was gone.
The old ownership was gone too.
Dante had quietly purchased the building.
Elena stared at the paperwork.
“You bought my workplace?”
“It was poorly managed.”
“You bought an entire nightclub because my manager was horrible?”
“No.”
Dante paused.
“The location is profitable.”
“You're lying.”
“A little.”
She shook her head.
“What happens to the staff?”
“They keep their jobs.”
“And salaries?”
“Increased.”
“Tips?”
“Theirs.”
“Managers?”
“Background checks.”
Elena stared.
“You thought this through.”
“I had motivation.”
He handed her another folder.
She opened it.
VELVET FOUNDATION.
“What is this?”
“A nonprofit.”
“For?”
“Families with children requiring cardiac surgery.”
Elena looked up.
“Toby.”
“And others like him.”
Her expression softened.
“Why my name?”
The document read:
SOFIA VANCE FAMILY MEDICAL FUND.
Dante's voice became quieter.
“Because your mother once helped someone who couldn't pay her back.”
Elena closed the folder.
“She'd like this.”
“I hope so.”
“But I'm not running your charity.”
Dante blinked.
“I didn't ask.”
“You were about to.”
“I was.”
“I want a salary.”
“Obviously.”
“And independent control over applications.”
“Done.”
“And no Vanel people intimidating hospital administrators.”
Dante frowned.
“That happened once.”
“Twice.”
“The second administrator deserved it.”
“Dante.”
“Fine.”
She smiled.
“You're learning.”
His phone rang.
Marco.
Dante answered.
“What?”
A pause.
“When?”
His expression changed.
Elena immediately knew.
“What happened?”
Dante ended the call.
“Carlo made a deal with prosecutors.”
“So?”
“He gave them names.”
“Yours?”
“Yes.”
Elena's smile disappeared.
“Are you in trouble?”
“Possibly.”
“What did you do?”
“Enough.”
“That's not an answer.”
“It's the only one I have.”
She stepped closer.
“You helped them.”
“That doesn't erase everything before you met me.”
“What happens now?”
“I cooperate.”
Elena stared at him.
“You're serious?”
“Yes.”
“Your family will call that weakness.”
“My family has called me worse.”
“And your businesses?”
“The legitimate ones survive.”
“The others?”
Dante looked around the club.
“Maybe it's time they don't.”
For the next six months, Dante did something nobody expected.
He dismantled parts of the empire that had made him feared.
Illegal operations were closed.
Businesses were restructured.
Evidence was surrendered.
Several longtime associates walked away.
Others threatened him.
Dante didn't change his mind.
One evening, Elena found him alone inside the Vanel Grand ballroom.
No guards.
No orchestra.
Just Dante standing beneath the chandelier.
“You look miserable.”
He glanced over.
“I've lost forty percent of my businesses.”
“Only forty?”
“You're enjoying this.”
“A little.”
He smiled.
Then Elena noticed the envelope in his hand.
“What is that?”
“Federal agreement.”
“And?”
“No prison.”
She exhaled.
“Good.”
“Five years of financial oversight.”
“You'll survive.”
“Mandatory disclosure.”
“That sounds painful.”
“Very.”
“And community service?”
Dante looked offended.
“Don't joke.”
She laughed.
Then his expression softened.
“Toby's tests came back.”
Elena nodded.
“His heart function is almost normal.”
“Good.”
“He wants to play baseball.”
“Absolutely not.”
Elena stared.
“You don't get a vote.”
“I paid for the heart.”
Her eyebrows rose.
Dante immediately corrected himself.
“That sounded terrible.”
“Extremely.”
“I withdraw the statement.”
“Smart.”
He stepped closer.
“Elena.”
“Yes?”
“When I first met you, I thought ten thousand dollars could solve the problem.”
“You thought money solved everything.”
“It usually did.”
“And now?”
“Now I know some things can't be bought.”
He held out his hand.
No envelope.
No offer.
No security surrounding her.
Just his hand.
“Dance with me.”
Elena looked around the empty ballroom.
“Am I working?”
“No.”
“Are you paying me?”
“No.”
“Are you ordering me?”
Dante smiled.
“No.”
She slipped her hand into his.
May you like
“Then yes.”
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