Chapter 2 - The Woman Behind the Ring
Dante’s car wasn't a car.
It was an armored black SUV surrounded by two more vehicles.
“I’m not being kidnapped,” I said.
Dante stood beside the open door.
“If I were kidnapping you, Eleanor, we wouldn't be discussing it on the sidewalk.”
“That isn't reassuring.”
Something almost resembling amusement touched his face.
“Get in.”
“No.”
One of his guards glanced away, apparently hiding a smile.
Dante sighed.
“Please.”
That surprised me.
“What?”
“I said please.”
I climbed inside.
Dante sat opposite me.
The SUV moved.
“Where are we going?”
“My house.”
“Absolutely not.”
“It’s secure.”
“So is a prison.”
He leaned back.
“You always argue this much?”
“Only when strange men order me into armored vehicles.”
“You saved my life ten minutes ago.”
“That doesn't make us friends.”
“No.”
His eyes settled on mine.
“It makes you my responsibility.”
“I don't belong to you.”
Dante’s expression hardened.
“I didn't say you did.”
We drove through iron gates twenty minutes later.
His estate overlooked East Harbor.
Stone walls. Security cameras. Guards.
Inside, Dante led me into a library.
An older man waited beside the fireplace.
“Eleanor Hayes,” Dante said. “This is Vincent Morelli. My adviser.”
Vincent nodded politely.
Then his attention went to Dante.
“We identified the syringe.”
“And?”
“Fast-acting cardiac toxin.”
My stomach turned.
Dante remained calm.
“Marco?”
“Talking.”
Dante looked toward me.
“Leave us.”
Vincent hesitated.
Then walked out.
I folded my arms.
“What happens now?”
“We find who sent him.”
“And me?”
“You stay here.”
I laughed once.
“No.”
“Eleanor—”
“I have rent. Bills. A job.”
“You're not returning to La Stella.”
“You don't decide that.”
“Someone tried to murder me six feet from you.”
“And somehow my landlord still wants rent.”
“I’ll cover everything.”
“That isn't the point.”
His jaw tightened.
“Then tell me the point.”
“The point is that my entire life has been people making decisions for me because they thought they knew what was best.”
I stepped closer.
“My father got sick. I quit school. I became his nurse, cook, driver, everything. Then he died and suddenly everyone expected me to rebuild my life overnight.”
Dante said nothing.
“I finally have something that's mine.”
“A waitress job?”
“My independence.”
That silenced him.
Finally, Dante nodded.
“Fine.”
“Fine?”
“You won't be a prisoner.”
“Good.”
“But you're not returning to your apartment tonight.”
I opened my mouth.
“Compromise, Eleanor.”
I hated that he was right.
“Fine.”
A knock interrupted us.
Vincent returned.
His face was grim.
“Marco gave us a name.”
Dante straightened.
“Who?”
“Anthony Bellini.”
Dante went completely still.
“Who is that?” I asked.
Neither answered.
Then I remembered the ring.
Dante removed the velvet box from his pocket.
His thumb moved over it.
“My future father-in-law.”
My stomach dropped.
“The ring…”
“Was for his daughter.”
“You were proposing?”
“Tomorrow.”
“And her father just tried to kill you?”
Dante’s eyes became cold.
“Apparently.”
Vincent stepped forward.
“There’s more.”
Dante looked at him.
“Say it.”
“Marco claims Sofia knew.”
The room became silent.
I watched Dante’s face.
For the first time, the dangerous man from Table Seven disappeared.
What remained was simply a man discovering that the woman he intended to marry might want him dead.
Dante closed the ring box.
May you like
“Bring Sofia here.”
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