Chapter 5 - The Price of Protecting Me
Three days later, Hollow Pine was surrounded by reporters.
Anthony's arrest exposed everything.
Money laundering.
Fraud.
Extortion.
Voss's network collapsed quickly once investigators found the accounts.
But Dante paid a price.
His businesses were investigated.
Partners disappeared.
Banks froze accounts.
News helicopters circled the resort.
I found him alone beside the private spring.
The same place we'd met.
“You're losing money because of me.”
Dante didn't turn.
“I've lost money before.”
“Marco said two investors pulled out.”
“Marco talks too much.”
“And your casino license is being reviewed.”
“That happens.”
“Dante.”
He finally faced me.
“What do you want me to say?”
“That you regret it.”
“I don't.”
“You could lose everything.”
“Everything?”
He walked closer.
“Claire, I spent twenty years building an empire because I thought power meant nobody could hurt me.”
His eyes moved toward my wrist.
The bruises were fading.
“Then a woman fell asleep in my pool and reminded me power is useless if you're too afraid to use it for something decent.”
I swallowed.
“You barely knew me.”
“I knew enough.”
“What?”
“You apologized before asking where you were.”
I frowned.
“You offered to pay for accidentally falling asleep.”
“That was embarrassing.”
“It was ridiculous.”
I laughed.
He did too.
Then his expression softened.
“And when I asked who hurt you, you protected the man who did it because you were more afraid of what he'd do to other people than what he'd do to you.”
I looked down.
Dante lifted my chin gently.
“You're stronger than you think.”
“Don't.”
“What?”
“Turn me into something heroic.”
“Fine.”
He released me.
“You're stubborn, argumentative, trespassed on private property, and ignored direct security instructions during a hostage situation.”
“Better.”
“Also terrible at following signs.”
“There was no sign.”
“There were three.”
“What?”
Dante smiled.
“Three signs.”
I stared at him.
“You're lying.”
“Marco photographed them.”
“Oh my God.”
I covered my face.
Dante laughed.
It was the first time I'd heard him genuinely laugh.
Then I noticed the way he held his right arm.
“You're hurt.”
“Old injury.”
“What happened?”
“Someone I trusted.”
“Anthony?”
He nodded.
“Years ago.”
I touched his forearm.
He didn't move.
Two damaged people beside a pool.
Except neither of us needed rescuing anymore.
“Claire.”
“Yes?”
“If I kissed you, would you accuse me of abusing my position as resort owner?”
“Absolutely.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“That's unfortunate.”
“You could always ask.”
Dante's voice became quieter.
“May I kiss you?”
I looked at him for several seconds.
“Yes.”
He kissed me.
Slowly.
Carefully.
May you like
And for once, nobody was afraid.
---
