CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

El

THE THING ABOUT the mafia? You know all the secrets, you know the darkness of the world and some punk kid sitting next to you in class is listening to Justin Bieber and complaining about the hamburger they just ate.

You gain perspective on life when you’re in constant fear of losing it.

I stiffened when Andrei came and sat down next to me.

“I hear congratulations are in order.” He smirked and then leaned back in his chair while the professor talked about good communication in the work place. Useless, the information was useless.

“Yup.” I didn’t look at him. I pretended to listen to the communication I needed to be having in a work force I wouldn’t be joining.

“It would be a shame… for young love to die so quickly, hmm?”

I froze.

“Such a shame.” He shrugged. “I wonder what kind of monster he would turn into if I took everything that mattered from him? Just because I could?”

“Why would you do that to someone who’s on your side?” I just had to ask.

“Is he?” Andrei’s head tilted. “One chance, I give him one chance to prove it, and if he fails — well, I don’t think the story will be ending with and they lived happily ever after.”

“You can trust him.”

He snorted. “Just like I can trust you?”

“I never said you could trust me, I’m a woman after all,” I said in a snarky tone.

Andrei eyed me, I could feel his stare penetrate down to my bones. “I like my women quiet.”

“Lucky them.”

He gripped my left arm, his fingers digging into my flesh so hard I whimpered. “Give your man a message for me, will you?”

He handed me another note. I eyed it and then him. “You gonna kill me if I read it.”

“Yes.” He didn’t even blink.

I nodded and shoved it into my messenger bag. “At least you’re honest.”

“I have my days.” He winked like he was flirting with me when we both know he wouldn’t hesitate to end me.

“Why did you come here? To Chicago?” I asked.

He paused, a look of irritation crossed his features. “I don’t really think you’re in a position to ask me probing questions.”

“Oh.” I frowned. “I just thought we were passing notes in class and making small talk, my bad.”

I returned my attention to the professor.

Andrei kept his voice low. “Not all of us are given the luxury of having endless amounts of money — at least endless amounts that aren’t frozen by the US government. So I got creative. Made new friends.”

“Dangerous friends?” I guessed.

“Stupid ones,” he fired back quickly. “Ones I can manipulate just like I do everyone and everything in this god forsaken universe.”

I was too shocked he was even speaking to me about things like that to respond, I just nodded and glanced away.

“If he double crosses me, I will kill him — I won’t kill you. I’ll tie you to my bed,” He caressed my arm. “I’ll tie each leg to a post so I can see you whenever I want, fuck you whenever it pleases me.” My lips trembled. “Yeah, I’d like that, maybe I’ll just maim him so he can watch…”

I jerked free.

He laughed and stood, then just walked right out of class like he was allowed to actually do it while the professor was mid communications speech.

I breathed in and out.

I counted the number of times my breath felt like it was getting caught in my lungs.

And when class was over.

I bolted toward the door. Exit. I needed an exit.

And I needed Dante.

He was already waiting for me.

I launched myself into his arms and kissed down his neck then whispered in his ear. “He doesn’t trust you, not yet, do something scary.”

I handed him the note.

Dante looked down at it, smirked, and then grabbed my hand.

We were moving fast.

Too fast.

People started to stare as Dante kept me pinned by his side.

Andrei was outside, his minions next to him.

They each looked pleased with themselves.

Dante released my hand, kissed my forehead, and said, “Stay here.”

“You get my note?” Andrei asked.

“Didn’t read it.” Dante shrugged.

Andrei’s smile fell. “You probably should.”

“I’ll get there.” Dante pulled, his Glock from under his uniform and held it at his side. “Now, which one.”

“Excuse me?” Andrei’s eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

“Which one do you want me to kill.”

Maksim made a choking noise and laughed.

“Never mind, I’ll pick.” Dante pointed the gun at Maksim. “Your preference, foot, leg, arm, or chest?”

“None.” Maksim clenched his teeth. A muscle worked in his jaw.

Andrei folded his arms and grinned, then said. “Leg.”

Dante fired off two shots into Maksim’s thigh. Both rounds skimmed the outside of his uniform, and he fell to his knees, screaming in pain.

Dante put his gun away. “Touch her again and I’ll rip your tongue out. This isn’t about her. It’s about me making a name for myself with whoever the hell is willing to give it to me.” I noticed his ring wasn’t on anymore. “You don’t get to question her, you don’t get to scare her. She’s mine.”

“Then put a fucking muzzle on her.” Andrei sneered. “She talks too much.”

Dante’s hand shook at his side. “We doing this or not?”

“The note.” Andrei nodded. “It goes down tomorrow. I hope you’re worth it, since you’ve shot one of my best men, I’ll need you on top of your game.”

“I’ll make sure to wear red so they don’t see my blood.” Dante turned his back on him grabbed my arm and we walked off.

I was shaking with terror.

He seemed to be shaking with rage and adrenaline.

Once we were out of ear shot, I reached up and touched his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“I won’t be okay until I put a bullet between that piece of shit’s eyes.”

“I’m sorry.”

He frowned down at me. “For what?”

“I feel like this is my fa—”

“I swear if the next word is fault I’m going back and shooting him, ending this right now.”

“You know what I mean.” My shoulders slumped. “If I had died then—”

“Then we would still be at war because that’s what happens when selfish pricks with no moral compass are given a gun and power, all right?

I nodded and hung my head. “Okay.”

He opened the note and read it. “It’s an address.”

I sighed in relief. “That’s good, right?”

“It’s either good or it’s a trap.”

“Great,” I muttered.

“Soon.” Dante kissed the top of my head, “This will be over with, soon.”