Chapter 4: A thorn in the empire

Dante's night had been long, tense, far from ended. One thing the meeting at the docks had shown: the DiGregorios were committed to undercutting him. But another weight, far more distracting—Elena—was on him. She was an aberration he hadn't expected; her reckless defiance, boldness, frustrating insistence on standing her position were dragging him into territory he had long avoided.

Dante's head whirled with unresolved thoughts as he made his way back to his office in the early hours of morning. Why was she driven to endanger herself? Why could he not overcome the unusual need to keep her safe? He was not a guy readily influenced by sentiment. But with Elena, he was violating his own rules and jeopardizing the stability of his kingdom over a woman he hardly knew.

He was startled out of contemplation by a faint knock at the door.

His voice harsh, he said, "Come in."

Enzo came in, his demeanor wary, as though he were bracing for Dante's irritation. His typically calm attitude wavered with anxiety; he seemed to have not slept.

Enzo murmured, edging closer with a hesitant tone Dante rarely heard from him, "We need to talk."

Dante eyed his companion while leaning back in his chair and narrowed his eye. "Then talk."

Enzo stopped momentarily, his eyes darting across Dante's face as though he were seeking guidance. "It centers Elena Rossi." Though the men are starting to doubt it, I know you have been acting to keep her safe. She's now off-limits, and they don't know why; it's causing upheaval.

Dante's teeth clenched. As his choice to protect Elena resonated through his ranks, he could sense the resistance in his kingdom and the whispers of unhappiness. He couldn't, however, summon himself to have another opinion. He forbade the idea of her in harm's path, a pawn in the warped games of his foes.

"Let them talk," Dante answered coldly. "They can bring up any problems with my choices right with me."

Enzo changed, a flash of irritation breaking through his typically cool demeanor. "It's not just idle chatter, Dante. Several of the guys are beginning to view this as a flaw. They assume she has entered your thoughts.

Dante's sight deteriorated. And what do you suppose Enzo?

Enzo matched his stare, a rare flutter of doubt in his eyes. "You have never let someone this near. And I'm not convinced it would be beneficial for us or for you.

Dante's irritation erupted. From the start, Enzo had been by his side, a devoted confidante through thick and narrow. But right now, the caution of his friend seemed like a betrayal.

"Elena is not a threat," Dante said, his voice like steel. And I have no need of justifying my choices to anyone. adding you.

Enzo fixed his eye, his irritation hardly veiled. He nodded instead of arguing more though, and left the office. Dante sat in calm as the door closed with a soft thud, the weight of his choice bearing down on him.

He understood Enzo had legitimate worries. Elena had turned into a thorn in his well constructed kingdom, a disturbance he had not expected. But he could not bear the thought of letting her go, of letting her become collateral in the war he was fighting.

Dante was driving toward the district where Elena worked in a sleek black automobile later that day, the city blurring by. Though his instincts drove him forward, a nagging sensation that would not let him relax, he had not scheduled to meet her again so soon.

Her face worn but determined, he saw her just as she was leaving the little community center she regularly helped at. She answered the queries of a group of children, her voice low and steady. She was terrific with kids, he noted, a genuine warmth smoothing the edges of her austere approach.

Dante stayed until she was alone herself, then got out of the car and crossed the street toward her.

Elena.

She turned, her look flashing with astonishment then settling into a watchful stare. Dente. What are you doing right now?

He waved his arms and shrugged. "I thought I would drop in. After last night, I reasoned perhaps you might change your mind about risking yourself.

She laughed bitterly and crossed her arms to look down on him. You you here to lecture me then? Tell me what I ought or ought not to be doing?

Though his fury flared, he maintained a calm voice. "I'm here not just for you; your reckless behavior is creating waves for everyone."

Her eyes sharpened, the fire clearly visible. "then maybe you should worry more about the mess you have produced and less about me."

Dante stepped forward, the strength of her disobedience compelling him in spite of better judgment. "Do you know what you are signing up for? These folks have little regard for your idealism or values. They will utterly annihilate you without thinking twice.

Then let them try, she said angrily back-off. "I won't watch men like you destroy this city."

He opened a frigid smile, the challenge in her eyes lighting something he would have ignored. Elena, you believe you know what I am? You believe I represent the enemy?

Her chin lifted angrily, not flinching. "You seem to be part of the issue here. greatly in part. Men like you flourish off power, regardless of the cost.

Dante experienced a flash of annoyance combined with something considerably more threatening. She had no concept what it needed to keep control, to preserve order in a society when anarchy was the norm. Still, here she was— brazen, relentless, completely annoying.

Quietly, he added, "You know nothing about what I do," his eyes never leaving hers. "Or the things I have given up.

"Maybe not," she answered, her tone softening just a bit. But I know you are more than this.

Between them, the words hung like a silent disclosure neither of which had expected. The walls Dante had painstakingly created felt momentarily flimsy, like though one more push would bring them down.

But his phone buzzed, diffusing the tension before he could reply. He cast a gloomy gaze at the television.

His voice sharp, he said, "We have to go." " NOW."

Frowning, she asked, "What's going on?"

"An incident occurred here. You are in view as the DiGregorios are retaliating. This time you do not have options.

She turned to face him, her attitude caught between reluctant acceptance and defiance. She nodded, a last, annoyed sigh letting him guide her to the car.

The strain between them grew as they drove; the unspoken words stayed like a weight neither of which could ignore. Dante's eyes stayed on the road, but his mind whirled, the events of the preceding few days blending together in a disorganizing frenzy.

They arrived at one of his safehouses, a little but safe construction outside the city. He locked the door behind them after parking and guided her indoors.

"This is where you will be staying for now," he added, his voice devoid of any opportunity for debate. "My men are posted nearby; it's safe. Here there is no damage to you.

She crossed her arms and looked at him with a mix of irritation and inquiry. And in regard to you?

He fixed her a steady look. I will deal with the DiGregorios. Elena, you are not fighting this. Allow me to deal with it.

"But I am part of it," she said, her voice rising. "I am involved regardless of your inclination. And I'm not going to vanish while you fight my fights.

Dante's voice hardened and his tolerance snapped. Elena, this is not a game. Your involvement is causing people damage. And you will die if you follow this road as well.

She fixed his eye with a hostile look. "then perhaps you ought to start battling for something larger than simply your kingdom. From what I understand of power, if it ruins everything around you, it is not worth anything.

Her comments connected with him; a fracture in his well regulated façade started. He understood she was correct—that his empire had stolen more from him than it had ever produced. But confessing that was a weakness he couldn afford.

His last, annoyed sigh marked his turning away from the room, the weight of her words weighing down him. Fearful that he might see the truth reflected in her gaze should he turn back, he did not.

He felt the sting of her defiance as he closed the door behind him—a challenge he was unable to resist. Elena had evolved from a thorn in his empire to the question he couldn't answer, the flaw he couldn't seem to eradicate.

He also sensed that everything was going to change as he entered the darkness.