Page 48 of Code Name: Dante

The rain intensified outside, drumming steadily against the windows. The sound was oddly soothing, making this moment feel intimate despite the weight of his revelations.

“At least you know part of the truth now,” I said softly. “About who you really are.”

His free hand came up to cup my cheek. “Who I am is someone who wants to protect you. You’re who’s most important to me now.”

I leaned my head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. “Do you think Alice or her friend Tex can help figure out what happened to your mom?”

“Maybe. Tank’s also looking into other disappearances from that summer.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Now that we have this lead, I can’t help but wonder what your grandmother might know.”

“Which is why we need her to come to us.” I smiled slightly. “Make her crazy by not asking questions.”

His chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Exactly. Let her think we’ve given up.”

“While we keep investigating quietly.” I shifted to look up at him. “You know, for someone who spent years maintaining a cover, you’re surprisingly bad at deception when it comes to personal things.”

“Only with you.” The tenderness in his voice made my heart flutter. “I don’t want secrets between us.”

I reached up to touch his face, tracing the line of his jaw. “Me either,” I agreed softly, leaning up for a kiss.

His lips against mine were gentle, full of promise and something more—understanding, acceptance, a shared determination to uncover the truth no matter how painful it might be. When we finally broke apart, I stayed in his arms, both of us watching the fire dance in the hearth.

From the kitchen came the familiar sound of Gram moving about, starting dinner preparations. Soon, she’d call us to help, pretending everything was normal, that she hadn’t just shut down our questions about the past. But this time, we’d let her maintain that illusion—for now.

The wind picked up outside, but here in Alessandro’s arms, I felt stronger than any storm. I thought about how much had changed in just a few days—from avoiding him at the wedding to now, feeling like he was the only solid ground in a world that kept shifting beneath my feet.

“Where did your thoughts drift?” he asked, his fingers trailing gentle patterns on my arm.

“How strange life is,” I said. “A week ago, I was so determined to keep my distance from you. Now…” I gestured between us, unable to find the right words.

“Go on,” His voice was soft, encouraging.

“I can’t imagine facing any of this without you.” I turned to look at him. “Is that crazy? Given everything that’s happening?”

The wind howled as the storm continued to build. Despite the coziness of the fire and Alessandro’s warmth, I shivered.

“Cold?” he asked.

“No, just thinking about how I never expected feeling so close to you.”

“Having regrets?”

“About you? No.” I tilted my head to look at him. “About uncovering all these secrets? Maybe. I keep wondering if Gram is right—if some things really are better left in the past.”

“Do you believe that?”

“No, but I’m scared about what we might find. About how it might change things.”

“Between us?”

“Between everyone.” I gestured vaguely. “You, me, Gram, your brother…all these connections we keep discovering. What if the truth makes everything worse?”

“Or what if it finally sets us all free?” His voice was thoughtful. “That’s what the truth did for me, when I finally stopped protecting Vincent’s secrets and started working with the DOJ.”

“Was it worth it? The risk, the years undercover?”

“Yes.” His answer was immediate. “Though I never expected it would lead me to you.”

“We should help Gram,” I said reluctantly when I heard the sound of pots clinking.

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