Page 88 of Broken Promises

I spun around, yanking my gun out of my pants in the process, and ending up looking down the barrel at Dante’s smirking face.

He was dressed casual today, his usual slicked back, dark brown hair was free of product, and instead of his black suit, he wore black jeans and a white button up shirt.

His brown eyes held their usual taunting though, telling me he was loving my reaction a little too much.

“You’re tense,” he said in Italian with amusement, making me scowl as I lowered the gun to my side.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Try that again but with a little morehello, how are you?”

“Dante, I fucking mean it. You can’t be here,” I bit out, glancing behind him. “How the fuck did you even get in?”

“Magic,” he said and wiggled his fingers at me, turning his attention to the lock I’d been installing. “Is this to keep her in, or others out?”

Dante knew all about my dick’s fascination with Raven, but he hadn’t been too privy to the fact I’d managed to stop her from hating me.

“To keep people out, smartass. For your information, she’s here of her own free will.”

“Does she know you stare at her while she sleeps?”

“Probably. It would be weird if I spent half the night fucking her and didn’t stare a little when she finally passes out,” I deadpanned, his eyes lighting up.

“You actually got her into bed? No wonder I haven't heard from you. You’ve been too busy boning her.”

“Why are you here?” I asked with a sigh. “Stefano?—”

“Daddy dearest has no idea I’m here, don’t worry,” he cut in, crossing his arms. “So, will there be wedding bells in your near future? Lock her down before someone else does.”

“I’ll only tell you this once. Stay away from her,” I warned, making him chuckle.

“You worry too much. She’s not my type. You know I like big tits in a tight dress. You seem to like women who dress like sloppy men, I don’t get it.”

I tucked the gun back into my pants, narrowing my eyes. “If you’re here to talk shit, you can leave.”

“You’re being sensitive,” he scoffed, glancing around the house and switching the conversation to English. “Why would you want to live in this dump? Come back with me, it’s easier to make murder plans with you when you’re in the same country as me. It won’t take long for Papa to find you here and question your loyalty. I don’t get what the big deal is, just let him deal with the Lopez guy so we can spend time planning. Are the rumors true? Are you having some kind of secret relationship with him? If you’re worried about people finding out, marry Raven and keep fucking Zavier behind closed doors. It’s simple,” he shrugged.

“I’m not into guys,” I said exasperatedly, knowing it was difficult to explain genuine friendships to a guy who’d been raised to trust no one and dispose of anyone who was inconvenient. “He’s my best friend. I know it’s a new concept to you, but we don’t kill our friends.”

“I’m offended. I thought I was your best friend,” he teased, and I gave him a playful shove.

“I can have two, can’t I?”

“I don’t trust him.”

“You don’t trust anyone.”

“Neither should you,” he said seriously, dropping an arm around my shoulders to drag me closer. “Your little friends are going to get you killed. They’re weak, and there’s no way Papa will let this shit go with Zavier. You need to throw Raven over your shoulder and take her back to Italy if you want to keep her safe.”

I was hoping to never see that place again, so there was no way I’d take Raven there. Stefano was likely to punish me, so he’d take it out on Raven in a heartbeat.

I’d rather die than let him touch her.

“Dante—”

“I know, you don’t want to come back, but I think once I’m in charge, you might change your mind. I need someone I trust by my side, and there’s no one I trust more than you,” he said warmly, his arm tightening a fraction. “Think about it.”

“I’m not cut out to be part of the fucking mafia, man.”

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