I smile a massive, radiant smile that spreads across my entire face.
Closing my eyes I drift off to sleep - because she loves me - and I love her.
In the morning, I wake up to a message from Lorenzo. The team has arrived in New York, and he has already begun the investigation.
They have found Bernard Lux's mansion and plan to pay him a visit tonight.
People say that he hosts luxurious parties for his clients, where the house is always filled with new girls dressed in lingerie and men can do as they please.
People have warned Lorenzo to stay clear of him because he has very key members of the legal system in his pocket and a few high-ranking politicians. Of course, we are ignoring the warnings because I don't give a shit who he knows. And if the law won't take him down - there are other ways to get justice.
I have a quiet breakfast with Frankie and Damion, but my mind is in so many places I can't even find the strength to have a conversation. I have plans and routes and everything that could go wrong spinning inside my head, like a blender of chaos.
Frankie is just as distracted as I am. She is as quiet as me, despite that, she reaches out to rest her hand on my leg and leans over now and then to rest her head on my shoulder.
We are here for each other, even when we have no words to share. The bond is unbreakable.
She has my entire heart.
FRANKIE
Dante has told me the detailed plan he has devised to take my father down. I asked him to repeat it three times to make sure that I understood everything. It's a good, solid, sound plan. But even knowing that he has thought it out from every angle, I am terrified of what the outcome will be.
I know my father better than anyone. I know what he is capable of, and what I stand to lose if this doesn't work out in our favor.
I can't think about losing; my heart wouldn't take it.
It has been two days since we met with my father, and for the interim, Dante thought it would be safer if we all stayed inside the hotel, out of the watchful eye of my father's men and not taking any risks. I agree, but I find all I am doing most of the day is holding Damion.
I have this intense fear that my father is going to storm through the door and rip my son away from me - the mere thought of it has my body flooded with anxiety. And for that reason, I can't seem to put him down.
Damion gets agitated with me sometimes and wiggles free to play - but then I sit next to him, always close, always protective.
Dante has been a source of comfort – I can't imagine going through this without him. His strength is giving me strength. He has a calmness about him. I can see he is always thinking, and planning, but he never panics the way I would.
It reassures me that even in this horrific situation, I trust him completely. I'm convinced he can make all this right for us.
Through all of this fear and constant worry, there is another truth that I can't ignore. I am in love with him, but it seems unfair to tell him that now - when he has so many other things on his mind.
What if he doesn't want the same things I want? What if he isn't interested in building a future with me and our son?
My heart is aching with love for him, but I cannot express it in words.
I sigh, pushing my food around my plate. I've hardly touched it. I struggle to eat when I am stressed.
Damion is sitting on the floor next to my chair, playing with his toy cars. I am so glad he doesn't understand anything that is happening. He is blissfully unaware of the danger we are in, and I prefer it that way. He is still only a baby and all he needs to know is that I will do anything to keep him safe. He's young enough that he won't remember this.
"Hey, little fox. Don't be so worried." Dante says, smiling at me across the table where we are having dinner. He reaches out to touch my hand. "All you've done is move that food around. I haven't seen you take one bite of it."
"I can't help it. You are going to face my father tomorrow, and I'm worried. In fact, worried doesn't even describe how terrified I am." I sigh, fighting tears.
"My angel, my little fox, my beautiful girl—" He stands up and walks around the table to wrap his arms around me. As I lean against his chest, I feel a sense of warmth and safety. "Thesooner we face your father - the sooner it will all be over, and you and I can have a life together."
I stare at him with shock. "A life together? You want to have a life with me?" I stammer in disbelief. I have been dreaming about being with him, about making our little family official, but I didn't think he wanted the same thing -- the responsibilities of being a father and being tied down to one woman.
"Frankie, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever met. Your heart, soul, and spirit are everything I could ever want. Of course, I want to have a life with you. I just want to first make everything safe. After tomorrow, we will be free to do whatever we want."
I sigh, a sigh of release - letting go of some of my worries. Dante wraps his arms around me and nuzzles his face into my neck.