Page 34 of Ivory Legacy

The tension in my shoulders eased a little. “You’re a lot of guys, Dante. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track.”

He almost smiled at that, a corner of his mouth twitching upward. “Eat. It’s going to get cold.”

I sat down and took a croissant, peeling away the flaky layers. He remained standing, watching me, and I wondered if he could see the thoughts running through my head as clearly as I could see his.

“Dante,” I started, but he cut me off again.

“We’ll talk after,” he said, sitting down across from me. “I promise.”

I nodded, biting into the croissant. It was warm and buttery, and for a moment, it made everything feel almost normal.

“Thanks, Dante. Really,” I said, my voice softer than I’d intended. The warmth from the croissant seeped into my hands, and I could almost believe we were just a normal couple having breakfast.

He studied me, his eyes searching. “Jade, there’s something we need to talk about.”

My heart sank. Of course there was. “Can it wait?”

His jaw tightened, but he nodded. “Eat first.”

I took a bite, the buttery flakes melting in my mouth. He didn’t move, didn’t touch his own food. The silence grew heavier, more oppressive.

“Dante, if this is about—“

“Just eat,” he said, cutting me off. “You need your strength.”

I finished the croissant, every bite a forced effort. He waited until I was done before speaking again.

“I’m sorry for last night,” he said. “For everything.”

I looked away, out the window at the snow-covered streets. “You mean for taking me to your place, for holding me against my will, for making me choose between—“

“Jade,” he interrupted, his tone pleading now. “I’m trying to protect you.”

I turned back to him. “Protect me from what, Dante? From you?”

He flinched, a small but noticeable reaction. “From the life I lead. From the enemies I have. From the choices you’ll have to make.”

The seriousness in his voice cut through my anger, leaving a raw, exposed wound. “What choices?”

He leaned in, his eyes locking onto mine. “The choice to stay. The choice to go. The choice to keep our child safe, no matter what.”

Our child. The words hung in the air, a fragile thing that could break at any moment.

“I never wanted this,” I said, my voice cracking. “I never wanted to be part of your world.”

“I know,” he said. “And I wish…look, you were right about everything. I should’ve been more upfront with you. But I was so blinded by what I wanted.”

“By the keycard?”

“Sure, that was part of it. But no. I was talking about you, Jade. This has always been about you. And now I’m so…fuck, I’m so sorry I ever got you into this world. But now we’re here andthere’s no turning back. And I wish there was, but there isn’t. We don’t have that luxury and that scares the shit of me. I know it must scare the shit out of you too and I’m sorry.”

He was right, and I had no idea what else to say, so I kept drinking my decaf coffee instead.

He sighed. “We have a lot to talk about.”

I watched him, silent. The smell of coffee and fresh pastries filled the small kitchen, a cruel contrast to the tension that had settled in. I took a deep breath.

“I’ll hear you out,” I said. “But I need to tell you something first.”

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