Page 47 of Ruined in Vows

Chapter 29

Allegra

The music pounds, vibrating around the VIP booth we occupy.

Not wanting to let Athena down, I did as I said I would and came out to a club for our last night.

It’s the last thing I want to do after everything that happened with Dante today. I am exhausted. Emotionally, mentally, and everything in between.

But I promised my best friend and I wasn’t going to break that promise, not when Athena has been a rock to me for the last year.

So here we are at Ignite, the upscale nightclub in our hotel, sitting in a private booth surrounded by security guards.

It’s overkill considering that it is just me and Athena, but it’s the only way my brother would let us venture out tonight. I can’t even blame Nico. With all that’s going on, I’m surprised he allowed me out at all.

“I love this song. Let’s dance,” Athena shouts over the music as a remix ofJubelbyKlingandeplays.

Nodding, I take a quick sip of my soda then let Athena pull me out of the booth and toward the dance floor. I don’t miss howseveral guards move with us, making people part like the red sea, to give us space on the dance floor.

Athena throws her head back, ass shaking and her arms in the air moving to the beat. Grinning, I sway my body to the music, closing my eyes as I roll my body. It’s a sensual tune, one I would love to dance to in front of Dante, teasing him with every move of my hips.

Running my hands through my long dark hair, I let my mind drift to all things Dante. Of course, I am ecstatic he is alive, though I haven’t really had time to process it. It doesn’t feel real, like at any moment I could wake up and find out it is all some messed up fever dream.

Shaking the thought away, I focus on the reality. That it’s not an illusion, and the man I love is very much alive. Then I allow myself to get lost in the music. It’s only when big, strong hands clamp down on my waist that I remember where I am and freeze.

What the fuck?

Where are the guards?

They are supposed to be stopping anyone coming near me.

My eyes fly open, panic surging in my veins. Glancing up, I find Athena in front of me, oblivious to my dilemma as she jumps and jerks around. My gaze shifts, noting the guards, my brows furrowing when I see them watching me but not making any move to remove the asshole who dared to touch me.

Guess I will have to tell him myself.

Pulling out of his hold, I spin around, ready to give him a piece of my mind, only to pause when I find the last person I thought would be here tonight. A smirking Dante. I blink at the intense, hungry gaze he has pinned on me, and my heart stalls in my chest, throat drying at the sight of him. He wears black pants and a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows showcasing his strong, tattooed, forearms.

Swallowing, I let my eyes roam over him, the sound of the music and everything else fading to white noise in the background. It’s just me and Dante. In our own little bubble where only we exist. But… Why is he here? It’s dangerous for him. For me.

Snapping out of my trance, I step into him, pushing up on my tiptoes, so I can reach his ear. “What are you doing here?”

Instead of answering, he reaches down, grabbing my hand and pulling me from the dance floor.

Glancing behind me, I watch as Matteo trails behind us. It figures. Despite knowing Dante most of his life, there is no way he would just let him drag me away like this. Before everything happened, then sure. But not now. Though Nico believes everything Dante has told us, there is still a small part of him that doesn’t quite trust Dante.

It kills me, but I understand his reservations.

Nonetheless, I trust this man with my life.

Before.

After.

Now.

Forever.

Dante pulls me down a hall, and into a private room at the end.

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