Page 94 of Beautiful Enemy

The sound of a car approaching makes me look up. It’s Dante.

Before he can get out of the car, my father starts firing at him. I can just make out Dante’s features through his window. His face is set into grim determination.

With a rev of the engine, he drives the car straight at my father. Father doesn’t stop shooting, even as Dante gets closer and closer.

And then at the last minute, my father dives out of the way to avoid getting hit. Dante jumps out of the car and shoots at him. My father runs into the trees and disappears into the woods.

I slump against my seat. I’m free of him. But I know it won’t be forever. My father is not an easy man to get rid of.

Instead of chasing my father, Dante runs over to my side of the car. He could have chosen vengeance but instead… he’s choosing me.

He tries opening the door but it won’t unlock. “Get down. I’m going to shoot the window.”

I hunker onto the backseat as Dante fires a bullet through the passenger seat. The window shattering is like thunder. After unlocking the door, he motions for me to come out.

“You’re ok.”

I find it funny that Dante is trying to comfort me. Just a few weeks ago, he wanted me afraid of him. He wanted me to hate him.

But I’ve never hated him. Feared him, yes. Hated him? No. He’s just a Mafia man, like any other.

Dante helps me out of the car. Once I’m on steady ground, my legs give out. He catches me in his strong arms.

“I’ve got you. Are you hurt? Nadia?” The worry in his voice is so vivid and pronounced.He actually cares for me, I realize. There’s no hiding the way he’s looking at me right now.

“Am I still your prisoner?” I ask.

He blinks, before pulling me into a tight hug. “The fact that you can talk is a good sign.”

“I need to know. Am I still your prisoner?” I look up at him, aching for an answer. I need to know where Dante and I stand. I saved his life and he just saved mine. We’re even now.

And that changes everything.

Dante’s eyes soften the longer he looks down at me. “No.”

“Am I free to return to my sister?”

“Why does that matter? If you go back home, your father will find you.”

“But the only way I can truly care for you is if I’m free.”

He averts his eyes. “Let’s talk about that later. Right now, I need to get your arm fixed up. You’re still bleeding.”

In the adrenaline of it all, I forgot that I was hurt. Now, the pain of it is distracting enough to make me push aside my need for answers.

Dante helps me gently into the car. He’s being much more attentive than he ever has been before. As we drive away, his hand finds my knee.

“Where are we going?” I ask once I realize we’re not heading back to the ranch house.

“The house has been compromised. Matteo has another house lined up. We’re going there.”

Further from Anya. I miss her desperately and yet, I didn’t make the choice to return to her. I made the choice to stay with Dante. To save his life.

I’m quiet on the drive, my thoughts filled with so much conflicting emotion. Part desire and warmth for Dante, part need to be free of him. We’re stuck in a strange sort of limbo. I want him and yet I can’t have him. Not really.

The only way I’ll ever be truly happy is if this war ends and I can be with both Dante and Anya. But that’s up to Dante to change and he’s as stubborn as a mule.

The new house is more cottage-like than ranch-like. It looks like a fairytale come to life.

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