002

Alina

It was really him in the flesh.

I knew I must have been gaping. Yet I looked over at him, unable to help myself from drinking his appearance in.

His hair was longer but still the same jet black that I could almost feel my fingers running through it.

And his eyes. His eyes were still a deep striking amber. Looking at them filled me with a mix of emotions and I could have sworn it was the same for him.

I found myself relaxing in spite of the chaos of everything that had happened that night. All I could think of was that he was here.

The only man I loved. Dante.

“Boss?”

In an instant, the light in his eyes was gone, leaving me bereft. His face was hard like I had never seen it before as he turned to look at one of the dead bodies. His gaze was so indifferent, like this was nothing to him.

It took a few minutes for what was just said to register.

“Boss?” I said out loud, earning myself stares.

He was their leader?

No. I shook in denial.

It couldn't be.

I'd heard gruesome things about what the Mafia did. From this to killing. That couldn't be Dante.

Yet as he turned to the bodies, my blood froze.

He looked so…terrifying.

As he turned back to me,his gaze was cold, bereft of all emotions from earlier. It sent a cold chill down my spine.

What was he going to do to me?

After a long look he turned to the men

“Let her go. She isn't part of this.” he ordered.

Relief washed over me as my arms were suddenly released. I stumbled slightly, recovering from the weight shift and the drowsiness that still plagued me before I grew stable.

Nausea filled my throat as I noticed them carrying out the dead bodies. Whipping my head back to him, I turned just in time to find him walking away.

Something in my chest lurched. This was the first time I'd seen him in years. Years that I never thought we would ever meet again. This situation was wrong in so many ways and yet…

Was he not going to talk to me just once?

Without thinking I stumbled out with him,

“Dante.” I called out, watching him halt in place.

My heart hammered in my chest as he turned to face me, his smoldering eyes striking mine. I struggled for the words to say.

“You…you are…”

“You're far away from home, Miss Rosedale,”

Those words and his tone made me recoil. Any warmth seeped out as bitterness took its place.

Of course he still hated me. He didn't know the truth. I had to explain…

“Dante, back then-”

“You have no standing to call me by my name.” He snapped, shutting me up instantly,

“Besides. I have no plans on rehashing the past. I could care less about whatever you have to say.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Tears sprung out as he smirked, cold and harsh.

“My men will take you home. Next time, don't be stupid enough to cross these parts.”

He walked away without another glance towards me while I stood, watching his figure enter a sleek black car. Tears slipped out of my eyes as soon as he shut the door and drove off. It was deja Vu, except this time I was on the other end.

He was no longer the same person he was before. This cold harsh man was a Mafia boss that had shot people and looked at dead bodies without even blinking. I couldn't recognize him now.

But one thing remained at least. He absolutely hated me.

I was brought back to reality by a tap, flinching to find several of the tattooed men gesturing towards a vehicle.

“Signora,” one of them said.

There was nothing I could do but follow as I was ushered into the black car before they drove off.

The drive back seemed endless as I directed them to my home. When I stepped out, they didn't hesitate to drive off. The cold night pricked my skin, but thankfully there was nobody else in sight. No thugs to attack me like before.

I entered the rundown apartment that was my home, the door creaking loudly against the silence. Stepping into my bedroom my heart eased.

Serena laid curled in the bed, her little frame barely taking up space in the single bedroom and her curly black hair spread out into the sheets.

I changed into sleeping clothes as quietly as I could, slipping in beside her before kissing her forehead.

“Mama?” Her muffled voice came up.

“How was school Serena? I asked.

“Fine…you came late. Nonna…tucked me in.” Her voice turned into incomprehensible murmurs and I knew she was going back to sleep. Pulling her close, I nuzzled into her dark hair, closing my eyes.

Tonight was a rollercoaster of fear. I had been kidnapped and nearly died. But at this moment my heart was at peace.

No matter what happened tonight, or what I had to go through everyday. It was always going to be worth it if it meant I could always be here with my child.

Our child.

My hands tightened as I thought of Dante. He was there in the dark curls of her hair. The child we made together.

But he would never know.

Tears slipped out of my eyes at the memory of Dante's face, filled with hatred and coldness. Maybe this was the last time I would see him. I would have to let go of the love I had for him.